Publix announces entry into Virginia market with new store in Glen Allen

The 49,000-square-foot store will open in 2018 at the site of what was once slated to be a Ukrop’s Supermarket before the company’s sale in 2009.

February 2, 2016; 10:26 AM • by Trevor Dickerson

Publix Super Markets announced plans to expand into the Richmond market Tuesday morning. The company will open its first two stores in Virginia; one in Glen Allen and another in Bristol.

The Glen Allen store will be 49,000 square feet and built at the corner of Nuckols and Twin Hickory Roads near the Wyndham and Twin Hickory planned communities and part of a larger shopping center development to be known as Nuckols Place.

Ukrop’s Super Markets previously owned the property and had planned to build a new store on the site until its sale to Royal Ahold, parent company of Martin’s Food Markets, in 2009.

Grand opening dates for both Publix locations have yet to be determined, but the Glen Allen store will open sometime in 2018.

“Being company owners, our associates continue to work diligently to exceed our customers’ expectations, which has allowed Publix to experience continued growth,” Publix CEO Ed Crenshaw said in a news release. “As we enter new markets and continue to open new stores, our associates prepare for new opportunities which supports our culture of promotion from within. We look forward to providing the great state of Virginia with the high quality service and products that our customers have come to expect and that have earned us recognition throughout the industry.”

Virginia will mark the company’s seventh state of operation. The company enters the increasingly crowded Richmond grocery market, where Wegmans and Aldi have planned or recently opened a number of stores.