There will be a Publix grocery store in Wake Forest – and it will be just across Forestville Road from an entrance to the Heritage Station shopping center and the first of the three Harris-Teeter grocery stores in the Wake Forest area.
Senior Planner Charlie Yokley said today, Aug. 20, that he had been told he could release the name of the grocery store if anyone asked.
A spokesman for Publix refused to confirm that a store is planned in Wake Forest but also did not deny or rule out the possibility and sent the following message: While we continue to seek new store locations in North Carolina, we do not have a store confirmed at this location. As an aside, we require that we have a signed lease before announcing a new location as we don’t discuss potential sites.”
Later on Wednesday a spokesman for the developer sent an email saying: “Kyle: Just released today in the press…wanted to pass along to you. The planning department said it was OK to release the name of the tenant… Have a good week.-David”
Wake Forest shoppers have been disappointed after other announcements such as the one for Food Lion’s Bloom grocery store which faded away with plans for the Quail Crossing shopping center.
Publix says that it is “. . . the largest and fastest-growing employee-owned supermarket chain in the United States.”
Yokley and others in the Wake Forest Planning Department are reviewing the plans for the shopping center that will include Publix, and Yokley said they had just received the thirteenth revision, which will probably be the last. He anticipates the public hearing about rezoning and the master plan will be held in October.
Asked if this Publix will be built instead of the one planned for the intersection of Dunn Road and Falls of the Neuse Road in north Raleigh, Yokley said he did not know if the grocery store chain wants to have two stores in the area. There has been fierce opposition to that Raleigh site by neighbors.
The 13.5 acres where Columbia Partners Capital LLC from Chevy Chase, Md., a private investment firm, wants to locate the grocery store with two flex buildings and three outparcels is currently owned by Franklin Village, one of Heritage developer Andy Ammons’ companies.
The land stretches along Forestville Road between the runoff retention basin at the corner of Forestville and Rogers Road to Foundation Drive, the entrance to Heritage High School, and there is a pond along with slopes on the site.
Yolkley said it is a difficult site. “We want to make sure it looks right. We’ve been working on the layout to get it right and make sure it fits in with the neighborhood.” The location of the driveways has been a problem, complicated by the reconstruction of the Rogers Road bridge over Smith Creek and widening of Rogers Road in 2016. The Forestville Road bridge over Sanford Creek on the other side of the site will be rebuilt in 2015.
The planning department is waiting now for the state Department of Transportation’s comments on the traffic analysis. The town hires the traffic analyst firm with the applicant paying for the fee.
16 Responses
I moved to Wake Forest in 2012 and the traffic was OK. Even the morning traffic was not bad. When they added Sheetz, the traffic grew. When they added Traditions community, the traffic became a little too much. Now they want to put a Publix! I would probably not be opposed to it if this store didn’t get so much hype from people, especially those from Florida who know more about this store. I have nothing against Publix, but really. Does it have to be directly across Harris Teeter? Not only will you have the cars from little Wake Forest but now everyone who isn’t close enough to Cary will be driving here just to go to Publix. Mind you Forestville, Rogers, and Heritage Lake are NOT two lanes.
I’m sorry you moved to the area thinking the traffic wasn’t going to increase. It has been steadily increasing for several years now. However, assuming you haven’t been informed, there are plans for area road improvements and expansions (ie. Rogers road increasing to 5 lanes once the bridge near Sheetz is replaced in 2015). Will this help with traffic? Probably not for the long term, but this area is highly desirable and that comes with the territory. (This could be a selling point if you can’t tolerate the traffic any longer).
In regards to Publix, it respected due to several reasons: a top 100 business to work for, employee owned, very low turnover rate (3% voluntarily vs 50% or more at other stores), and highest customer satisfaction ratings nationally (Whole Foods is next highest). Those are the facts, not an opinion. Don’t be swayed just because a Floridian stands behind something.
It is a guarantee that something will be built in that location at some point. Publix (Whole Foods, Wegmans, Fresh Market, or any other high caliber Grocery store) fits the local area far better than another half empty strip mall, dollar store or gas station.
Another Supermarket, is this the best Heritage can do to offer my family options in my community? Seriously, Heritage could do more to satisfy the community’s need to put a 3rd supermarket in a 2.5 mile radius (4 including Wal-Mart)!!!! Don’t want it..don’t need it!!
Fully support this as a new Heritage resident and former Floridian… Publix just oozes customer appreciation in everything they do and their employees generally love to work for them which extends out to the customer as well. The layout of the stores, the BOGO offers, the deli and my favorite.. the best key lime pies you’ll ever eat. Another aspect that sets Publix apart, they will saturate their name for the sake of supporting community events; providing products and money towards worthy causes. They invest in the communities that support them.
This would be a huge score for Wake Forest. I hope they can work it out with the Rogers/Forestville location. Publix will always increase traffic, but it does so for a good reason. HT on Rogers can’t even come close for the quality or service that Publix will offer. Get ready for a business who *does* care for their customer.
Even tho the trafic would be a problem for this sight, I am sure people of wake forest will welcome publix with open arms. This store is well known for their clean and friendly, and great customer service. Those of you who have been to Publix will agree on that. This would only improve the area of wake forest and bring in lot of local jobs.
NO!! The traffic here after adding in mcd’s is so awful. It will only get worse with publix here. Why wouldn’t they just go into the huge space where Kroger was?? I’m not saying no to publix but that location is a traffic nightmare and putting that there will become a problem and possibly widening Forestville to compensate. No ammons!
I am soooo excited!!! I love Publix – it’s the best!!!
On the downside: that’ll make traffic at the intersection that is already horrible a lot worse
On the upside: A Publix or Wegman’s will go a long way to help some of these others learn how a market can operate!………….having dealt with both of them
I hope they go to Wake Forest and don’t muck up Falls Of Neuse with the estimated doubled traffic! What a nightmare that would be… Definitely NO loss to Bedford!
Yes! Love competition and Bedford’s loss is our gain. Have heard wonderful things about Publix. Can’t wait.
This would be awesome! Publix is a great store, and while it seems like we are already saturated with grocery stores in the area, it is different enough from other stores to make it a nice addition. With that said, why aren’t any grocery stores looking at the old Kroger site in Wakefield?
I have heard because of poor traffic(onsite) and the general location traffic potential problems. And building
sizing/renovation problems cited by potential occupant possibilities
HOORAY!!! Since we left Atlanta we have missed our Publix fix!!!!!
Former FL resident here. If this is true (and I really really hope so), it will be one mile from our house.
I know, us too!!! (from Tampa) The first stop for my kids…..the deli for a sub!