Mold Remediation in Walton, KY

WALTON, Ky. (WKRC) - Workers scrambled to finalize preparations for the grand opening of a new Publix store just outside Walton in southern Boone County Monday in advance of its grand opening this week.

It's one of five planned for Northern Kentucky over the next two years, with additional locations in Florence, Hebron, Independence, and Cold Spring.

Publix, which recently opened stores in Lexington and Louisville, plans a total of 13 locations throughout Kentucky. (WKRC)

Publix, which recently opened stores in Lexington and Louisville, plans a total of 13 locations throughout Kentucky. The company is making a significant push into the state, its eighth in operation, following the construction of a distribution center in North Carolina to facilitate northern expansion. It has no current plans as of yet to expand into Ohio.

The company enters an already crowded marketplace including Cincinnati-based Kroger, the nation's largest grocery chain, Wal-Mart, Meijer, Trader Joe's and Aldi.

But Publix has competed against Kroger elsewhere, namely the huge Atlanta market.

"We're very familiar with the competition that's in Kentucky and the surrounding areas," Publix's director of communication Maria Rouse said. "I don't think any grocery when we go to market we're always looking to compete and to bring the best value for customers. I think the ones that are familiar with us and the new customers that will come discover us are really about that providing that service, the quality products and competitive pricing."

A Kroger representative declined comment on the new store in an email Monday.

The new 55,000-square-foot store features a food court-style section, a bar serving craft sodas, coffee, and beer on tap, and a large bakery. It is one of only two big-box grocers serving the rapidly growing southern section of Boone County.

That's welcome news to Boone County Judge-executive Gary Moore, who says the land sat undeveloped for more than 30 years.

"I've been amazed at all the local people working here that I know," Moore said. "So, the other thing about these projects is when a company comes, it's employing our local residents, giving them opportunities."

Rouse says the company will compete on price, but that the company prides itself on top-notch customer service.

"Our associates are our biggest differentiator," she said. "When you come to Publix it's all about the service. We have associates that are going to help you find product. We're going to have our associates that are going to help bag your groceries and take them to your car. We're going to have knowledgeable associates that will help with recipe development and tell you what products they love."

The Walton store is located at the entrance of the high-end Triple Crown housing development off the Richwood Road exit.

Publix is privately and employee-owned, reporting nearly $60 billion in sales last year, making it about the 12th largest grocer nationally.

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The new store opens Wednesday at 7 a.m. with a ribbon cutting set for 6:45 a.m. - Local 12's Good Morning Cincinnati will be there to cover the event.

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - Publix is coming to Northern Kentucky, looking to make a dent in the stronghold Kroger has on area grocery shoppers.

The first Publix opening in Northern Kentucky is the Walton location on March 26.

This is one of five locations planned for the area.

Pub subs, sweet tea and fresh produce are what Publix is best known for. Their low prices, not so much.

In an area where more than a dozen Krogers exist and a time when inflation is a concern, can a handful of Publix stores make Tri-State customers switch their loyalty?

“Kroger has a really thick fan base and loyal customers in the greater Cincinnati area because of its history,” explains University of Cincinnati economics professor Dr. Eunjee Kwon.

Dr. Kwon acknowledges while there are several grocery options nearby, we live in a Kroger-dominated market with 16 locations in Northern Kentucky alone and their headquarters in downtown Cincinnati.

She knows some shoppers will stay loyal to Kroger, but the unique products a chain like Publix brings will most likely make the market more competitive.

“I think what Publix will bring into the market, in terms of the competition, is they’re going to provide [a] different set of products, and also on the internet, for example, social media is really about the pub-sub that everyone loves,” Dr. Kwon says. “That’s another type of a product that, as of now, Kroger, at this point, cannot offer.”

The pub-sub is a main attraction, but aside from viral social media offerings, what else could the five Publix locations offer consumers?

“I know the Kentucky and each store will employ approximately 140 to 150 associates,” Publix media relations manager Jared Glover says. “So, really looking to enhance sort of the economy in the area, provide jobs to local citizens.”

That is the potential for at least 750 combined new jobs at the five locations.

Right now, Kroger operates 76 stores in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, employing around 14,000 associates.

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When it comes to shopping, Dr. Kwon thinks the consumers who want cheaper prices, will not change their ways, but others will be interested in trying what a new store has to offer.

“Probably they’re not competing based on the pricing, but they are competing based on the more diverse product and a more unique customer experience,” Dr. Kwon theorizes. “So, Kroger will need to think about how to not lose their loyal customers to this new entry of the retailer, by thinking about how to innovate.”

While Kroger, Walmart and Aldi still have more locations in the Tri-State, Dr. Kwon says the expansion of more stores will always benefit customers.

Dr. Kwon also mentioned the greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area is growing.

The average income of local households varies, so she says there should be enough room for higher-end grocery stores and value stores.

The Publix in Walton opens at 7 a.m. March 26 in the Triple Crown Shopping Center on Richwood Road.

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The first Publix in Northern Kentucky is nearing its highly anticipated opening date.

Publix and Boone County officials celebrated the store’s completion at a grand opening ceremony on Monday. Throughout the event, workers actively stock shelves and fill produce displays in preparation for the supermarket’s Wednesday opening date.

“I hope that after this event, you walk away with a greater understanding of the people, the products, the services, and truly the culture that makes Publix special and a place where shopping is a pleasure,” said Publix Community Relations Manager Kim Reynolds.

The supermarket, located at 420 Richwood Rd. in Walton, near the Triple Crown subdivision, is 55,701 square feet and boasts an adjacent Publix Liquors that offers beer, wine, and spirits. The Publix campus also features an annex mall with Chipotle and Great Clips. The Publix is less than a mile from Interstate 75, which makes it a prime location for travelers.

The Florida-based supermarket chain is a staple in southern towns and oceanside tourist communities throughout Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Publix is perhaps most famous for its Pub Sub sandwiches, which can be ordered at the in-store deli.

Many of the Richwood Road Publix employees are local to Northern Kentucky. The supermarket hosted a hiring event in January in anticipation of the store’s opening. Some store managers and department heads relocated from other states, such as North Carolina.

Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore noted that the supermarket is located where several residential communities come together, notably Florence, Union and Walton. County officials had long seen the 13-acre site as a potential commercial zone.

“I saw some people from Triple Crown development as I was walking in, and I know this site has sat here since like 1988, as a commercial zone, but the plan all along was to develop the community (Triple Crown), and then the services would come,” Moore said.

Over the past two years, grocer has pursued aggressive expansion into Northern Kentucky. Four other Publix supermarkets are currently under development in the region: Cold Spring, Hebron, Independence and Florence. The Richwood Road Publix is the company’s third store in Kentucky behind only Louisville and Lexington.

Regarding other Northern Kentucky Publix store sizes, Regional Manager Kris Crapo said that each supermarket is tailored to meet an individual community’s needs.

“Each community is going to be served differently, it’s really about the size of the lot,” Crapo said.

The store’s hours of operation will be from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. Find more information at the grocer’s website.