A new Publix in Charlotte could land at planned University City shopping center
Publix Super Markets is poised for further growth in Charlotte as part of a proposed redevelopment of The Commons at Chancellor Park in University City, where there’s already a specialty grocer.
New York-based Brixmor Property Group, which owns and operates the center at 8101 University City Blvd., has requested a conceptual meeting with the city of Charlotte to discuss the project, according to filings submitted with the city Monday.
The redevelopment plan involves demolishing a section of the existing shopping center to accommodate a new 47,000-square-foot Publix grocery store. As part of the reconfiguration, the 10,200-square-foot Dollar Tree at the end of the center would be moved to space between the new Publix and Gabe’s discount department store.
The center also is home to the 24,500-square-foot Indian grocer Patel Brothers.
The move comes as the center manages vacancies following this year’s closing of Value City Furniture store after its parent company, American Signature, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
“The project team welcomes any feedback or concerns from all city departments in attendance at this conceptual stage to ensure the project design is scoped in alignment with city expectations,” Brixmor said in its meeting agenda document with the city.
This project is the latest step in Publix’s aggressive expansion across the Charlotte region since it entered the North Carolina market in 2014.
Publix and Brixmor officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday.
More Publix stores in the Charlotte region
Publix has been a formidable competitor in Charlotte’s fierce supermarket battle to capture a piece of the $10.8 billion market share.
The Lakeland, Florida-based grocer has at least three other stores in various stages of development:
- Wesley Chapel: 50,325-square-foot store at Weddington and Waxhaw Indian Trail roads in Union County.
- SouthPark: 68,000-square-foot store at Sharon and Colony roads.
- Matthews: 50,000-square-foot store at Cadia Matthews development at Stallings and Idlewild roads. The store is expected open in late 2027.
This year, Publix secured its uptown Charlotte store plans with a $4.8 million property purchase at 601 N. Tryon St., which it had leased since Dec. 12, 2019.
Last year, Publix opened three stores and its 26th store in the Charlotte market at the Arboretum, following store openings in east Charlotte and Carmel Commons Boulevard.
Business reporter Desiree Mathurin contributed to this report.
