ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – SilverLeaf in St. Johns County is one of the fastest-growing communities in the area, with a 25% increase in home sales in 2023.
By 2047, SilverLeaf is expected to have more than 16,000 homes, so the demand for more grocery options is also rising. A newly opened “larger format” Publix on Silverleaf Parkway is the latest addition.
“St. Johns County as a whole is growing, especially this northern area,” store manager Ashley Lukas said. “It’s wonderful to have Publix -- that convenience -- for our shoppers. It’s great to just open our doors for them.”
Featuring a wine bar, an expanded deli menu and custom-made pizzas at the in-store cafe, the new Publix offers experiences shoppers used to have to travel to Tampa to see.
The new store includes Publix Pours bars with beer and wine, smoothies, acai bowls and more, plus expanded deli menus, including a burrito and nacho bowl bar that no other Publix store in this region has.
St. Johns County currently has 20 Publix grocery stores, but the store at 1775 SilverLeaf Pkwy in St. Augustine is 55,701 square feet, which reflects Publix’s new building prototype.
Publix Media Relations Manager Hannah Herring gave News4JAX an exclusive tour inside the store, saying it took years of planning and research to make it happen.
“For this particular location, we just knew that our customers would be able to embrace the new options that we are offering. Just come sit with us at lunch or dinner, and just be able to enjoy it,” Herring said.
On opening day, the first 1,000 shoppers can get a free special-edition reusable bag.