Big Doin's Just West of Brownwood
 

I saw survey crews working just the other day on the corner of Powell and 44R just west of Brownwood. The next day they were digging and laying pipe etc.

There are two golf cart tunnels going to this area from Brownwood.

It won't be long and we will see if it's going to be a Mall or Publix and the like or housing or....?

Personally I think we are going to get a new mall. I'm still hoping for a Trader Joe's.

Still hope for a Hooters!

I think it is going to be a Publix which will certainly help, but not where I would have built it. Wonder why no one asked my opinion???

Ha. I think you may be right.

If it's a Publix, it will probably put the Sweetbay-turned-Winn Dixie at Pinellas out of business. It's pretty empty in there now. Too bad.

Pick up a free overview map at any Sales and Information office, you will see one corner is reserved for a new Villa neighborhood.

Publix did not put Winn-Dixie out of business near Spanish Springs when they took over from Albertson's.

That was a going concern. This one is not as yet.

I think that may be up on the road just North of 44r.

Absolutely agree - that store should have been a Publix - the Sweetbay in Lake Sumter is usually pretty empty as well - don't know who is doing their research, but they missed this one big time. I go to that Sweetbay when I absolutely need something that is commonly available and don't want to fight the crowds at Publix. Otherwise I'm one of those crazy people at Colony Plaza looking for a parking space.

I disagree that the Sweetbay in LS is usually pretty empty. How would you actually know if you only go when absolutely necessary?

Just curious, from the posts I'm getting the impression Sweetbay is not the preferred grocery store? If so, I was wondering why most prefer Publix. I'll probably find out myself when I move down next month.

It's just because Villagers like to whine and complain.

Hard to "put a finger on it" but, yes, you will see when you move here! I just like Publix's layout better, love the BOGO's and the daily sampling of recipes!

I love BOGO'S too, but not when I have to take two. Did you know that at Sweetbay if you buy just one it is half price? Shh, don't tell everyone the new Sweetbay is not crowded. I'm looking forward to having less crowds this winter.

I rented in the village of Caroline for four months, and I always went to the Sweetbay in LSL. I had no trouble finding what I needed, and found the dinners I purchased, to be more reasonably priced than Publix.

It always had people shopping, and the lines were never too long. The cashier always asked me, if I had an easy time finding what I wanted. It worked for me!!!

I have to say that I shop at Walmart, as their prices are lower than Publix.
I got to Publix more for convenience, and an occasional sale item that I would buy in bulk. (99% of the bulk items I buy, are non-perishable and I go to Sam's for those.

That place can be a zoo when they had a very good sale. I finally got a weather radio, that Sam's offered preferred customers the convenience of shopping on Sunday night. When I arrived, they were out of stock and I was informed, people were lining up in the morning, before the store opened.
Go figure?

In another couple of weeks, the Sweetbays will be Winn-Dixies.

We like the Publix bakery but prefer Sweetbay for everything else.

I stand corrected - when I go to Sweetbay at LSL is it usually pretty empty; however, I normally shop at Publix which is almost always crowded so my perception may be skewed. I will say they get a good crowd early Wednesday when the sale starts, but have found the shelves empty of advertised item early in the day. Publix is continuously stocking shelves and if an item is out you can always find an employee who will happily check in the back for you.

I shop at Publix for quality, quantity, and customer service. Just one person's opinion.

What Publix do you shop in? There have been complaints on this forum about the Publix at Colony being too small and not stocking more of each item to accommodate the winter season. Since I only go there occasionally, I wouldn't know. I stay away because the Colony parking lot is a total zoo.

As for Sweetbay in Pinellas, every time we've been in there, it's been virtually empty. We've gone maybe ten times since it opened. Right now, you can shop there at the normally busiest times for a grocery store and not be overwhelmed.

I went there with a prescription for our dog. The pharmacist told me the store is really struggling.

That was smart of the pharmacist.

I agree, but I may have caught him off guard. I had a prescription for a month of antibiotics for the dog, and they would only give two weeks for free. I asked him if he could give me the two weeks' worth and note one refill on the bottle (like Publix did one time), and that's when he said, "We're really struggling, and the manager doesn't want us to make exceptions or give things away." I'

He may have been referring only to the pharmacy. And I'm sure the mgr. wouldn't have been pleased to hear him say that.

Do you think another 1000+ homes will make a difference to their business?
Must be someone at Sweetbays that has more sense than the Pharmacist.

First of all it is a new store in a "developing" neighborhood. I can remember when Publix in Colony Plaza was first opened one could go in any time of the day or evening and be relatively alone....and now shoulder to shoulder.

Not sure Sweetbay would ever be that comparably busy but it is in a new area.

Secondly the yoke around the neck that the store is a shortimer and about to be shut down is not exactly a drawing card situation.

The insanity of the whole deal was to complete the Sweetbay build out and now weeks later get ready to tear it all out to make it a Win Dixie. Must be a good story behind that waste of capital expenditure.

In my opinion Winn Dixie will do better than Sweetbay but be much less busy than Publix. Unless WD decides to take Publix head on and be competitive in ALL ASPECTS....which they normally do not.

There must also be an interesting story in the drama some where as to why Publix did not get first shot at Pinellas or if they did, why did they pass? We will only think we know if and when a new Publix store is annonced and where in the new area....somewhere.

btk

I prefer Sweetbay's to Publix's

I hope so. I hope when it becomes Winn Dixie that it will not put people off. The Winn Dixie at Spanish Springs is quite nice. But people here in TV seem to have a thing for Publix. And I would too if the one at Colony weren't so small.

[QUOTE=CFrance;796946]What Publix do you shop in? There have been complaints on this forum about the Publix at Colony being too small and not stocking more of each item to accommodate the winter season. Since I only go there occasionally, I wouldn't know. I stay away because the Colony parking lot is a total zoo.

I am one of the crazys cruising the parking lot at Colony looking for a parking spot. Haven't had much of a problem with empty shelves - as a matter of fact one of the things that makes me nuts is the way they are always blocking the aisles while stocking the shelves. Turnover is so fast in that store it's hard to keep on top of it.

I hate to step foot in Publix at Colony, too crowded, narrow isles, and prices are too high. I personally don't see why TV folks like it so much (maybe it's the free samples, old folks like anything free). I like Sweetbay for the wide isles, not as crowded, prices a bit less or equal to Publix. I hope Sweetbay/Winn Dixie business picks up in Pinellas so folks on the SW corner of TV have the convenience of a grocery store close by. I like Walmart and Sams for bulk shopping. As far as when Sweetbay becomes a Winn Dixie, I think they are both owned and operated by Bi-Lo, the parent company. I'd be surprised if Sweetbay looks much different after the change over, but who knows…...

The main reason publix didn't build where the new sweetbay is because the developer wanted rent plus per centage of sales and corporate said to high. Instead they will build one closer to brownwood. They were going to build 2 more stores but changed their minds and will go with 2 very busy stores, especially once fruitland park is up and running. As far as shelves being empty of the bogo items, there is always a disclaimer in the add that quanities may be limited. That means they only get x number of sales items oer store and when they are gone, they hopefully willbin on the next truck. Otherwise you can always get a rain check.

Rocketman - just curious what your source of information is???

I have started using Sweetbay more to avoid the parking at Colony. I also find some of the things I buy regularly much cheaper. So unless Publix has something I really want, I go to Sweetbay now. I'm sure their lack of business is also due to there being less in the plaza in general. Colony has Beall's Outlet and other stores that draw people. So people probably figure since they are going to Colony for one of the other stores, or to buy gas, they might as well shop at Publix. Need a gas station at Pinellas and more variety of shops to draw people.

in order of preference:
1. Aldi. great for staples (sugar, flour, milk, eggs, bread, some produce, frozen foods)
2. SweetBay. excellent customer service. best pricing on deli items. bread. paper goods. sale items, and also most regularly stocked items are less expensive than Publix.
3. Publix. the bakery is excellent. other than BOGO's, they are much too expensive.
4. WalMart. huge selection, pricing is only a few cents difference from other retailers. produce is very inferior.
5. Sam's. only if you want the world's largest container of mayonnaise. and Cheerios.

I can't figure why everyone thinks "sun rises and sets" on Publix. A new Winn Dixie is a fine grocery IMHO. I don't believe there is much, if any, overall difference in prices. Both have their specials and both have their "loss leaders" from time to time.

Some of the old Winn Dixie stores were not acceptable---but the newer stores are just as clean and nice as any Publix and given how crowded the Colony Publix is----Winn Dixie is a good alternative.

They have been "scratching around" for quite some time west of Powell road. It's obvious that the Developer has commercial plans for this property. He plays his cards pretty close until he has a winning hand. In due time, we will know who and what will be built on that property.

I like Fresh Market for the occasional "treat". Otherwise, I'm a Publix fan. Good prices, nice fresh veggies, good meat/fish counter, excellent fried chicken. I just try to go at odd hours to miss the crowds.

I agree they have been scratching around by Brownwood for awhile but I think their scratching as of late has become more intense and it looks like they are going to do some building.

The stormdrain/sewer/water connections will be @ Powell road for the new villa neighborhood on the northern portion of that property. They probably have to complete at least a portion of the infrastructure to go across the commercial property.

Three very busy stores, if the one up by SS is a TV Publix. It wasn't the BOGOs that people complained about not being restocked in the Publix at Colony. It was the general merchandise that people on this forum mentioned their running out of during the busy season.

We like to shop at Winn Dixie in Wildwood for bulk shopping, so I will be glad when Sweetbay switches over. We were told at the Sweetbay store that they started the build before the sale to Winn Dixie started, and the contracts and subs were already signed and in place, so they had to go ahead with it. I'm not sure I believe that (somebody somewhere must have known a sale was in the works).

At an employee awards dinner 3 years ago i sat at the table with a district manager and also a person involved in long range planning. They both said long range plan was for 2 more stores after colony. In the last year the district manager who tours stores quite often and always chats with employees, said when i asked him why didn't publix build at pinellas he said combo of things. One they decided on only 1 more store and didn't like the rent/profit arrangement. This was before the fruitland park project was announced so who knows.

Anyone hear whether a gas station will be in this area?

I do get a chuckle re the comments about either grocery being out of something on a special or just not there in 'season'...it is so easy to get a rain check for same! I love to do that re specials because I can then buy the item when i NEED it rather than when it is on special!

Like I said, it wasn't the store specials or BogoS that people were complaining about the Colony Publix being out of. it was their general merchandise that they were running out of during the winter season, and a store manager was quoted as saying they would not adjust their volume for the winter season... which I'm not sure I believe because that just makes no financial sense whatever.

But if you go shopping there because you need items and the stock's not there, that's not a good thing.

I really like the Publix at SS and wish the one at Colony were as spacious. I would brave that parking lot if it were. But I'm happy Sweetbay-turned-Winn Dixie is there, and I will gladly support it.