Publix to open new format on college campus

The Southeast’s leading supermarket operator will give new meaning to its tag line “where shopping is a pleasure” when it opens a new small format on the campus of the University of South Florida.

It will be the first supermarket to be built on a college campus in Florida.The project was approved by the Florida Board of Governors on Thursday.

“It’s really inconvenient to go off campus to get food because I either have to rely on someone else or use the Bull Runner,” said Greeshma James, a second-year biomedical sciences student who lives on campus. “Or walking, which can be really time-consuming.”

The new store will be built at the southeast corner of Fletcher Ave. and North Palm Drive as part of USF’s new Student Housing Village, which is the largest public-private partnership project approved by the BOG to date. Construction on the 29,000-square-foot store will break ground later this year, USF said, and the store should open in late 2017.

Research has shown that students who maintain an active on-campus life have a stronger connection to their peers and improved academic performance. The Publix will not only provide a nearby location for students to shop together, but the company has agreed to conduct at least two job fairs per year on the USF campus. Qualified student applicants will be considered for part-time employment opportunities and internships with Publix.

“The entire campus community is thrilled and excited to welcome Publix – one of Florida’s most respected companies – to our campus,” said USF System President Judy Genshaft. “Our students’ top request was to bring a grocery store to campus so that we could create a healthy living and learning environment that fully supports them in their goals and ambitions. This Publix location will bring a great dimension to our new student village and create a vibrant and welcoming environment on the Tampa campus.”

USF’s agreement with Publix includes a 20-year ground lease with six five-year term extensions.The USF store will be on the smaller side of Publix stores — bigger than a convenience store, but smaller than a standard supermarket, which is closer to 45,000 square feet. The USF location will have 145 parking spaces.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, USF contacted Trader Joe's, Whole Foods and other stores for bids, but none submitted a proposal.