Publix signs lease for northeast Charlotte store

Publix Super Markets Inc. has signed a lease for its 15th store in the Charlotte market.

The Lakeland, Fla.-based grocer says it intends to open a 49,000-square-foot store in Prosperity Village Square. That shopping and residential center in northeast Charlotte is near Interstate 485.

"We see lots of opportunity for growth in this community, particularly with the connection of 485," says Kim Reynolds, media and community relations manager.

Prosperity Village Square will have up to 100,000 square feet of retail, commercial, entertainment and office space as well as up to 292 multifamily units, according to a recent rezoning application.

It is on the west side of Prosperity Church Road, across from Ridge Road.

Publix's store there will be a new construction. It is slated to open in 2016.

The company anticipates it will employ about 125 people at that location.

The grocery chain continues to target aggressive growth in North Carolina, particularly Charlotte.

Since February, it has opened five locations in the state, including three in the Charlotte market during October alone. It now has eight total in the Charlotte region, including S.C. locations in York and Lancaster counties.

Atogether, Publix has now disclosed plans for 15 stores in the region, with additional possible locations surfacing as part of rezoning applications.

The grocer operates more than 1,080 stores in the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Alabama. It expects to announce more locations in the Charlotte market early need year.

"We do see lots of opportunities for growth," Reynolds says.

She notes that Publix continues to work with developers to identify the best sites for future stores. Each store continues to raise awareness about the Publix brand, service and quality of products it offers, Reynolds says.

Jennifer Thomas covers retail, health care and education for the Charlotte Business Journal.