Know How To Go: Publix at Peace

Know How To Go: Publix at Peace

Photographs by RDP3 Photography

Publix, what will be downtown Raleigh’s first large-scale grocery store, opens tomorrow in Smoky Hollow at 417 West Peace Street. Publix at Peace will offer all the standard departments of Publix locations around the country, including a Publix deli, scratch bakery, full-service meat and seafood department, pharmacy and grocery delivery powered by Instacart, plus additional features unique to its downtown Raleigh location. We asked Kimberly Reynolds, the community relations manager for Publix Super Markets, and Kallie Walker, a development manager at Kane Realty Corporation, about how to best navigate the grocery store and take advantage of all of the unique offerings.

Where is the main entrance?

The main entrance is located along Peace Street and pedestrians can easily access it directly from the corners of Peace and West Street.

Where do customers park?

Publix at Peace will have a designated parking deck below the store—at street level—for shoppers to access from Harrington and Peace Streets. Use the elevator or stairs to get into the store from the deck.

Regarding the store layout, is the store spread across two levels? Do shoppers use an elevator or escalator inside the store?

The store is on a single level located directly above the parking deck.

What are some special features of this downtown Raleigh location?

The Raleigh Publix will feature a deli with plenty of made-to-order options including sub sandwiches and hot foods such as chicken tenders and wings, plus grab-and-go soups, salads, snacks and drinks.

Reynolds suggests you try Publix’s famous Pub Sub, made with freshly baked bread straight from the bakery and customizable with an array of toppings, including Boar’s Head meats and cheeses. 

Additionally, the Chef Selections allow customers to choose from a variety of chef-inspired appetizers, entrees and side dishes prepared and prepackaged fresh in store, making for an easy last-minute lunch or dinner.

Seafood Cook-In-Bags are another unique feature. Choose your fish—options range from tilapia to salmon to cod—and flavor, then cook the fish in the oven for 11 to 20 minutes.

Floral arrangements and specialty meats and cheeses will also be available at this location.

Will you feature local products like NC beer, cheese and produce?  

You’ll find seasonal North Carolina fruits and vegetables from local farms in the produce section and other local items throughout the store, including craft beers. Just look for the North Carolina Local sign.

Is curbside pickup and online ordering available as well?

Publix at Peace will offer grocery delivery powered by Instacart and in-store pickup for Publix cakes, platters, subs, sliced meats and cheese and a selection of prepared meals. As of right now, curbside is not currently offered at the Raleigh location. 

Is there a dine-in area?

There is cafe seating inside the store and outdoor seating in the plaza along Peace Street, just outside the store entrance.

Is there an in-store coffee shop?

Publix offers complimentary coffee to shoppers outside of pandemic times but this location will not feature a Publix Cafe coffee shop.

What does the pharmacy offer?

Publix pharmacies cover certain antibiotics and medications for free as long as you have a prescription from your doctor—there will be no cost to you or your insurance company. The pharmacy will also offer flu shots.

How can customers save on groceries?

Look for the weekly buy one, get one free items throughout the store and at the end of the aisles. To get a jump start on savings, activate a Club Publix account to view weekly ads a day ahead.

What COVID-19 safety and health precautions is Publix at Peace taking?

Publix requires all employees and guests to wear masks in its stores. Additional coronavirus-related FAQs can be found here.  

What’s Your Favorite Grocery Store?

What’s Your Favorite Grocery Store?

Shoppers from across the country cast ballots for their favorite grocery chain. Publix Super Markets and Wegmans tied for the top spot (77%) with Aldi and Harris Teeter rounding out the top five. Market Force Information’s consumer study questioned almost 13,000 shoppers on their most recent shopping experience, looking at issues like fast checkout times, cleanliness and courteous cashiers.  Publix, which has several stores in Wake County, was the leader for speed and cleanest stores. Wegmans, which plans to open its first store on Wake Forest Road, was liked for its specialty departments and item availability.

Here’s how other Raleigh stores scored:

76%

Trader Joe’s

65%

Costco

61%

Whole Foods

57%

Kroger

56%

Target

52%

Food Lion

49%

Sam’s Club

31%

Wal-Mart

Market Mania

Market Mania

Grocery stores are popping up in Raleigh like wild mushrooms. With so many choices, how do you pick the right one for you?

Did You Know…

Between Blue Apron, HelloFresh, Plated and a dozen other meal kit delivery services, grocery stores need to get creative to address their customer’s needs and make dinnertime an easier experience.

“Many of our customers are pressed for time but they still want to cook a fresh, delicious meal,” says Chris Miller, Vice President of Strategy and Marketing at The Fresh Market. The store has created several different options from hot, ready-to-serve dishes to their Little Big Meals, meant to deliver big savings with little effort. The ingredients for the meals are packaged together at a station and cost about $15-$20 for a family of four.

Lowe Foods’ Pick and Prep station allows shoppers to choose produce and drop it off with a store expert with instructions on how you would like it diced, sliced, cored or chopped. You can pick up your veggies or fruit after you’re done with your shopping list. The complimentary service saves a massive amount of time in the kitchen.

Wild About Wegmans

According to Market Source, Wegmans has been rated America’s favorite grocery market in 2016, and North Carolina is on track to get four stores this year in Chapel Hill, Raleigh at Wake Forest Road and two locations in Cary. Though the company hasn’t announced construction timelines the city is abuzz with the news. The question is why does the store engender such loyalty?

The massive stores are modeled after an open-air European market including one of the largest fresh produce sections of any supermarket, food bars, extensive sampling similar to Costco, and a market café that can seat up to 300 people. Plus, the company owns its warehouses, which translates to cheaper prices and a loyal following.