Publix WC is Packed - Combat Grocery Shopping Time Has Arrived

[North Lake]

I just love shopping at the Watercolor Publix...if nothing else just to people watch, but mostly to visit with all my friends who work there and pick up the necessities. It's really a great grocery store, with an amazingly friendly staff at whatever time of the year. Steve Myers and his crew do a wonderful job at what would normally be a mundane thing...getting groceries out the door.

Stopped in at the Destin WalMart on the way home from Mobile this evening...the dogs have to have their peanut butter flavored dog biscuits...and the Spring Breakers were everywhere. The place was packed!

Stopped in at the Watercolor Publix at 8:55 pm as we got closer to home to get my favorite bottle of wine ($7.19 a bottle at your Publix savings price, with screw-top cap to boot) and it was just as packed --- at closing time, no less. Looks like Spring Break is here! We're going to have a great season this year, no doubt about it!

 

[North Lake]

When you say "breakers" are you talking about your usual college kids? I can't believe they come to Watercolor. I would think they would be way East in Panama City. It is so much fun to hear what goes on down there. By the way how is the weather?

MS, I'd bet most of our Spring Breakers are children of parents or grandparents who own homes here in SoWal...not just random Spring Breakers who pick out a place online for a hot place to go for Spring Break. Just a WAG on my part, if anybody wants to refute it. Nonetheless, it's a great place to be for Spring Break without some of the hazards that other venues offer.

The weather is great down here right now! Come on down!

 

[Matt J]

It was like someone flipped a light switch. We ran into a group of spring breakers from UNC. They actually chose to come here and not PCB as they weren't looking for non-stop partying. The college spring break crowd is a relatively new phenomenon to this area and I think it began with all the issues Mexico was having last year. They have since told their friends and come back.

P.S. If that group of hotties from Nebraska is coming back our offer still stands. ;-)

 

[Smiling JOe]

From March through August, grocery shopping in groups larger than three people should be banned. Video coming soon.

 

[DuneLaker]

I love what Dune Laker has to say about the area. I agree that the joy is in the finesse wherever you live. Well said. Do you work for the Chamber of Commerce? What does "need to look up that old chart" mean? One more thing, where do you fit 100,000 extra people? Yikes!

That is nice of you to say, Middlesister. No, I don't work for the Chamber or TDC. That would be cool if they paid me for all my sage advice.

Seems like we had an earlier thread on best times to shop during busy times. It would have to change with the Season. Right now we have a Snowbird/Springbreak/Special Event mix. So, shopping early in the day is out if the snowbirds are flocking, lunch is always busy, by 3 p.m. coolers are being filled and the evening gets hit before and after an event. Maybe 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. might be light.

Will have to ask around for an "official" count on the 100,000 question. It could be more on peak days. South Walton has 26 miles of beaches and various accommodations. In addition, vacation or rental neighborhoods and venues stretch between the beach and Choctawhatchee Bay. Lots of choices and places that can put a lot of heads in beds. Some numbers may be stealth. On July 4th, for example, we'll have extra company at our house as well as my mother's beach house. I don't know if anyone counts those in official reports.

Looking forward to SJ's video of Publix group shopping.

 

[Andy A]

MS, DuneLaker is our local Walton County historian, though to modest to say so. She does a wonderful job of telling us what went on before us. As to spring breakers, we have a group who have been having a party next to our pool ever since this morning. It is unusual for us to have them but so far they are very well behaved.

 

[30A Skunkape]

For what it is worth, Santa Rosa Beach (new) Publix was not crowded at all this afternoon. I don't think the secret is out yet.

 

[GoodWitch58]

For what it is worth, Santa Rosa Beach (new) Publix was not crowded at all this afternoon. I don't think the secret is out yet.

Shhh...please.

 

[GoodWitch58]

From March through August, grocery shopping in groups larger than three people should be banned. Video coming soon.

and can you have them check the mobile phones at the door please...I am so sick of having them call back to the condo while standing in front of the one thing I stopped in to get!

 

[Teresa]

I have a question. We come there every April. I am getting to book a reservation. Last April we lucked out and came the week after most of the spring breakers were there. What would you say the optimum week would be for that? I love what Dunelaker said. To be out and about and enjoy the dynamics is so much fun. One more thing, as long as I have been coming there I have never been there in the summer. What is it like? A waitress at a local restaurant told me that the locals call if the "100 days of hell." Is that true? Love it down there and you that live there are so lucky.

oh, its only about 68 days of hell at most. and for me that would be July, Aug, and part of Sept where you are roasting in hell fire heat. other than than the heat though - its always lovely - even during actual hell week (July4th week) - as long as you know when to stay away from which beaches, restaurants, shops etc.

But, I do appreciate DL's positive outlook - and I agree with them completely. however, I do start getting a little irritated come July. Its not because of peak season really. it has more to do with mass visitors who we know who end up staying with us or who we must go see and visit every other day. visitors expect us to actually go out on the beach with them during peak sun/heat exposure! egaaaad! and we do accommodate to an extent. but by July when we've simply had all the sun exposure we can take we just say: ya'll go on to the beach - we'll see ya out there around sunset.

Regarding my beloved WaterColor Publix, it does get postively crazy starting now. it is fascinating to watch some of the visitors shopping in their bathing suits while talking on cell phones. but I am soooo happy to have my new Santa Rosa Beach Publix. what life savers. I'll be doing most of my shopping there. I don't think WC Publix will miss me. I'll be back. actually I love going to both and do so frequently.