Publix is here! Publix is here!

[QueenIsabella]

Minor update--the Publix has their grand opening today, and I just got back. I brought DS10 with me, and he ate his weight in samples around the store.

I will definitely go back, and likely switch over my prescriptions. They have several free prescriptions, including antibiotics. Knock wood, we've been healthy, but with 4 kids, you never know when the plague is going to hit.

Everything looked very nice, but their prices weren't wonderful. The sale prices were good, though. I picked up a few store brand items to try. DD21 won't shop there, because she feels they won't pay farmers a fair wage, but I forgot that and got her sushi. I was thrilled to see that they had fusili--I'm Italian, and a bit obsessed. Up until this point, I had only found fusili in an Italian specialty store.

As you might imagine, the store was very busy, and no shoppers knew their way around. There was a ton of staff members, all very friendly.

For the PP who lives near me, I also got a flyer in the mail, from Harris-Teeter, with $10 off $40 coupons. It's only good at the store nearest the Publix. So, I'll likely use those, too. It's a good month to be a tightwad in Wilmington.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Minor update--the Publix has their grand opening today, and I just got back. I brought DS10 with me, and he ate his weight in samples around the store.

I will definitely go back, and likely switch over my prescriptions. They have several free prescriptions, including antibiotics. Knock wood, we've been healthy, but with 4 kids, you never know when the plague is going to hit.

Everything looked very nice, but their prices weren't wonderful. The sale prices were good, though. I picked up a few store brand items to try. DD21 won't shop there, because she feels they won't pay farmers a fair wage, but I forgot that and got her sushi. I was thrilled to see that they had fusili--I'm Italian, and a bit obsessed. Up until this point, I had only found fusili in an Italian specialty store.

As you might imagine, the store was very busy, and no shoppers knew their way around. There was a ton of staff members, all very friendly.

For the PP who lives near me, I also got a flyer in the mail, from Harris-Teeter, with $10 off $40 coupons. It's only good at the store nearest the Publix. So, I'll likely use those, too. It's a good month to be a tightwad in Wilmington.

DD17 and I went too! She also ate her weight in samples. I thought their regular prices were comparable to Harris Teeter's regular prices (i.e. high). I can see going there for specialty items and sales - they had some nice meat and fish choices, and their sushi looked better than HT's. We bought some ice cream since I love Publix's ice cream, but not much else today.

 

[QueenIsabella]

Funny story--last night, DH decided to swing by the new Publix to get snacks, since he's traveling today. DD21, DD13, and DS10 all went with him. DD21 wanted to "stick it to the man" by eating all the samples--you know, after she ate all the sushi I bought her. It turned out, by 8pm, there weren't a whole lot of samples left, but I did hear good things about their key lime pie. But what cracked me up was their cookie club. When we'd gone earlier, DS10 got a free cookie, and a card that they punched. They explained that, with 10 punches, he could enter a drawing to win a 10" chocolate chip cookie. Naturally, DS10 was all over this. Well, when they went back that evening, the cookie person knew he'd been there earlier that day--he already had a punch on his card, and, of course, they'd only been open a few hours. She gave him the cookie anyway, but told him it was really meant for once a day. Which is fine, but it hadn't even occurred to me.

BTW, if you got their flyer, it has a coupon on the front where you can get $10 off a $50 gas card, with $50 purchase. I understand that they were so crowded at 6pm, there were people parking on the street.

 

[eileenjez]

We have Safeway, Belair, Raleys and a few other's but no Von's.

you must be in NorCal. Vons is a SoCal company. Was owned by Safeway at one time. I loved Raleys when I was able to shop there.

 

[eileenjez]

They've been building a new Publix, right up the road from us. While it's been interesting, watching it come together, I've been eagerly awaiting the actual opening, which I THOUGHT would be in October. Well, I just got a mailing, saying they're opening next week!

Now, I shopped Publix on WDW trips, so I'm somewhat familiar, but I'm hoping you Budget Board people can help me with what's good--and not-so-good--about shopping there. My other choices are Food Lion, Harris-Teeter, and Lowe's. And Super Walmart. Rumor has it that an Aldi's will be moving in nearby, but not until next year.

So, hit me with it: what are the best deals?

I am having a good laugh here. I knew right off you were in Wilmington. We too were eagerly awaiting for the Publix to open. Now we're going to be waiting for it to open in Ogden. I like Harris Teeter and will shop Lowes because it's close. I worked for 25 years in a grocery store and really appreciate a well stocked and friendly store.

 

[Mfisc]

I didn't see it mentioned yet but Publix will also accept local competitors coupons... I know I have gotten good deals with printed target coupons for target store brand that I can use on Publix store brands when they do Bogo's for some great deals, they also accept coupons on the Free item in a Bogo again some great deals. Finally I have 2 Publix's near me that accept coupons that are up to 6 months expired.. If you shop smart you can get great deals at publix, and the service is uaually great,

 

[QueenIsabella]

I will have to check on the coupon thing. I've never been much of a couponer--for all of my adult life, until last year, I lived places where couponing didn't do much (no stores doubled, not many coupons in the paper, etc.). I did better shopping sales, cheap sources like Aldi's, and getting store brands. It looks like it would be worth my time to investigate coupons.

 

[Sydney2977]

What I like about Publix is their customer service, cleanliness, and their deli and bakery. When ordering cakes/desserts I always get them from there, as well as deli trays, fruit/veggie trays, chicken fingers, etc.- very fresh and well priced for the quality.

For weekly shopping I used the military commissary till we moved off base and it got to be a pain because of the distance. We also have Food Lion, BI-LO, Harris Teeter, and Piggly Wiggly, and Super Wal-Mart near us. I've found Harris Teeter, Piggly Wiggly, and Publix to be around the same price wise on average. I'll be honest- I don't have a lot of time to search through coupons and make multiple store grocery trips, nor do I like to plan meals on what the stores have on sale. I got annoyed with the poor service and cleanliness at Wal-Mart so I was using BI-LO primarily and Food Lion times. My biggest complaint with most of these chains is that the selection isn't as big and the prices vary so often.

Luckily we had a new Neighborhood Market Wal-Mart open right around the corner from our neighborhood about a year ago. I was skeptical but tried it. It's clean, great selection and prices, and the associates are all friendly, greet you, and offer assistance. They must be modeling these type after Publix because I've talked to co-workers who have them near their house and say the same thing.

 

[MommaBerd]

I love my Publix! I feel like I "know" the cashiers - like they're my neighbors. When one of the long-time, super-friendly cashiers retired, our neighborhood sent out an email to let us know so that we could "say goodbye."

As for pricing, I think it depends on your area. Of the big chains in my area, Kroger is most expensive, followed by Publix, then Walmart. I shop Publix for many of the items PPs do - BOGOs, produce, bakery/deli, and specialty items. Oh and CEREAL! My kids eat tons of cereal and they typically have some cereal BOGO, and with coupons it makes for an amazing deal! But on many everyday items, Walmart has them beat, and by a pretty significant amount. In fact, even with my AmEx 6% bonus for groceries, I found WM was still a better deal (without the 6%).

The BOGO deals are interesting - in FL you *must* buy both items to get the deal, but here in GA, it really is more like a 50% off deal. We don't have to buy both items. Apparently it varies by state. Similarly, doubling coupons must be a regional or even store-by-store policy. (Our Kroger stopped doubling coupons a few years ago.)

I hope you enjoy your new Publix!