Publix Super Markets Inc. plans to close its Gateway Town Center store on Dec. 28.
“We’ve been privileged to serve the Gateway community for two decades and are approaching the end of our lease at this location,” Publix spokesman Dwaine Stevens said Friday evening in a statement.
He said Publix notified the associates and landlord Friday. The store is at 5210 Norwood Ave., east of Interstate 95 in Northside, north of Springfield and Downtown.
Stevens said there are factors that go into determining whether Publix will pursue a lease extension or renewal.
“While it is always a difficult decision to make, we have decided to close this store by the end of 2019,” he said.
Property records show the 28,120-square-foot store was built in 2000.
Stevens said Lakeland-based Publix has not had a layoff in its almost 90-year history. He said Publix will offer Gateway's 130 store associates positions at a neighboring location if they desire.
He said there are two locations near the Gateway store. One is 6 miles north at 1840 Dunn Ave. and another is 5 miles south at 2033 Riverside Ave.
Publix operates 56 stores in the Northeast Florida market, Stevens said previously.
The two closest grocery stores appear to be Harveys Supermarket about a mile east at 201 W 48th St. and Save A Lot about 1.2 miles east at 5751 N. Main St.
