New store will create 150 jobs and mark the retailer’s latest milestone in its growing Kentucky footprint
It may be the worst-kept secret in Pulaski County, but it’s finally official: Somerset is getting a Publix Super Market.
Publix at Somerset Marketplace will be built in the southwest corner of Jefferson Drive and U.S. 27, behind Chili’s and Starbucks. The complex will feature a 54,964-square-foot grocery store, an adjacent 3,200-square-foot Publix Liquors, and 9,520 square feet of additional retail space.
The grocer will employ 150 people.
“We are thrilled to continue our growth across the Bluegrass state with a new location in Somerset,” said Jared Glover, media relations manager for Publix Super Markets. “We look forward to making grocery shopping a pleasure for our new customers soon.”
This is the 17th new store announcement in Kentucky for the popular grocery chain, with six stores currently open in Louisville and Lexington. Stores are also planned in Elizabethtown, Georgetown, Owensboro and Northern Kentucky.
The news caps off a year of retail growth in Somerset-Pulaski County, with the opening of stores like Rural King and 7Brew. The commercial and retail sectors have been a particular focus for the Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA) since its creation six years ago, President & CEO Chris Girdler said.
“We may all very well remember the days when this incredible development was once just a huge hole off of Highway 27 that was owned by the state,” Girdler said. “Dating back to 2008, long before SPEDA, I eagerly went to work lobbying and advocating for the state to surplus this property and auction it off to the private sector. We commend the vision, hard work and high risk the developers took on with this project, and it is exciting to see it all come to fruition.
“We continue to shout it from the mountaintops — economic development is more than just chasing smokestacks,” Girdler continued. “It is about creating experiences for the people of this community and region that enhance their quality of life, and retail and commercial development are an important part of that. This holistic approach to economic growth is at the heart of SPEDA’s mission, and we have stayed true to it. The record-breaking announcements we’ve celebrated during the last six years prove it works, and today’s news is yet another example. We are thrilled to welcome Publix and Dunphy Development to Somerset-Pulaski County and appreciate their investment in our community.”
Somerset Mayor Alan Keck praised the City of Somerset team for working hand in hand with developers to make this announcement a reality.
“The research from our comprehensive plan made it clear our residents want more shopping and dining options. It was their number one request,” Keck said. “But the city’s commitment to retail growth extends well beyond the search for the right experiences for our residents. For our efforts to be successful, doing business in Somerset has to be a positive and productive experience for the developer and retail client as well. I am proud of how efficiently our internal departments worked to secure approval for this project. We are blessed to have professional and dedicated local developers who share our commitment to delivering projects that elevate our community’s quality of life. I am excited to welcome Publix to Somerset and can’t wait to see how the rest of this project will evolve in the coming months.”
Pulaski County Judge-Executive Marshall Todd congratulated Publix on this announcement.
“We are grateful for their investment in our county and the confidence they have placed in the Lake Cumberland region,” Todd said. “This new store will create quality jobs, support local families, and enhance the overall quality of life for our residents. We look forward to a strong partnership with Publix as they become a valued part of Pulaski County’s continued growth and success.”
An opening timeframe for Publix has not yet been determined. The development also includes two out-parcel tracts that are currently being marketed to retail prospects. Announcements are expected on these properties in the near future.
About Publix:
Publix, the largest employee-owned company in the U.S. with more than 260,000 associates, currently operates 1,431 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky. For 28 consecutive years, the company has been recognized by Fortune as a great place to work. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized among the top in the grocery business. For more information, visit the company’s newsroom at corporate.publix.com/newsroom.