A 45,600-square-foot Publix Food and Pharmacy under construction at the intersection of U.S. 41 and 19th Avenue Northwest will anchor the new Southshore Village shopping center expected to open later this year. The property is owned by 1941 Development LLC, a Publix wholly owned subsidiary.
Although the plaza is technically being built in Apollo Beach, it’s located at Ruskin’s northern border and will attract shoppers from either community, where both have seen explosive growth in recent years.
According to numbers supplied by Crossman & Company, a real estate firm handling Publix’s site leasing agreement, 28,664 residents with a median household income of $54,607 live within a three-mile radius of the new plaza. By 2020 that number is expected to be 33,613. The traffic count on U.S. 41 is more than 26,000 cars per day, and currently 24,000 residential units are being built or planned nearby. Those figures add up to lots of potential customers.
“It’s about time that Ruskin had some new retail,” said Penny Smith, who lives in the community and co-owns H&R Block franchise offices in Apollo Beach and Sun City Center. “We will be renting 1,200 square feet for a third office in Southshore Village. With all the new homes that have been built nearby or are being built all along 19th Avenue, we feel it’s an excellent location.”
On a personal note, Smith said she will enjoy stopping by the new Publix supermarket on her way home from Apollo Beach to Cypress Creek.
Suzanne Ramella, who lives south of S.R. 674 near U.S. 41, is looking for convenience.
“I’ve been here 30 years and I like shopping at Publix, but it’s at least a six-mile drive in either direction to the nearest store in Apollo Beach or Sun City Center,” she said. “I’ve been shopping at whatever stores are closest in between. I’m really excited to have the option to shop at a Publix nearby.”
Ruskin residents aren’t the only ones looking forward to the new Publix.
“We enjoy shopping at Publix and are happy one is coming that’s more convenient for MiraBay residents,” said Grace McKee, a resident of the community.
Her husband, Archie, added it’s a welcome addition for South Shore.
“When a major corporation like Publix builds in a community, it shows confidence in the potential growth and stability of the area,” he said.
To date, the following businesses will be part of Southshore Village: Publix Liquors, Posh Nails & Spa, China 1 restaurant, Great Clips, Papa John’s, H&R Block and ZPAN, a 2,400-square-foot Japanese restaurant.
A new SunTrust Bank branch office will be built in one of the three outparcels and a Circle K is slated to open at the corner of U.S. 41 and 19th Avenue Northwest, across the street from McDonald’s. There are rumors that the two remaining outparcels will be restaurants but those are unconfirmed at this time.
Phase I of the shopping center is at full occupancy, said Megan Bobiak, Crossman & Company marketing manager. Phase II space is now available, and interested parties should call Sandra Woodworth, senior leasing associate, at 813-210-7509 or email swoodworth@crossmanco.com.
Brian West, media and communications manager for Publix, said in an email the company will hire “a small number of associates for the new store,” but due to its emphasis on superior customer service, most of its staff will be experienced employees who transfer from other Publix supermarkets.
“The typical Publix store of this size and projected sales volume has between 110 and 140 associates,” he wrote, adding a “management team will be named six to eight weeks prior to opening.”
The physical address for Publix No. 1260 at SouthShore Village is 5052 U.S. 41 N., Apollo Beach.