Publix Friendship Springs Village

I grew up and lived in Florida for 20 years where publix reigns supreme if not a downright monopoly. I’ve been to a lot of Publix stores over the years and I was looking forward to the day of moving out of Florida so I could experience something better because the Publixs in Florida are nothing like the ones outside of Florida and they certainly aren’t worthy of a 5 star Unilocal from someone who only mostly complains on Unilocal.
Anyway, the reason I’m writing this review is because I have yet to find any grocery store, any publix, anyWHERE that has a staff like the one in this store. And that includes the ones just right down the street in either direction.
The people in this store greet me when I walk in the door BY MY NAME. I cannot walk past any employee without getting a «hello!». The cashier always remembers me and my preferences. Someone else said the Aprons lady was the friendliest, I’d have to say Dale in seafood is the friendliest then again everyone at this store is friendly and helpful. I have honestly never seen anything quite like it. I never thought I’d live to see the day that I actually write in to the Publix corporate office with anything good to say, but I’m going to do exactly that.
Last month I needed to exchange a propane tank (which they have cheaper than home depot btw) and I asked if I can just give them the old tank, take the new tank to my car and come back and pay for it after I did the rest of my shopping. «Sure! Go right ahead!» they told me. You know, it’s really nice to feel trusted like that. This is what I envision some small town market in Vermont or somewhere to be like.
The selection isn’t a big as the other Publix at Spout Springs and 985 but if you want something, go order it at the front desk and they will literally go to the other publix, get it for you and bring it back for you to pick up a couple of days later.
I drive past 2 krogers and 3 other publix stores to get here and I will continue to do so because their customer service is out of this world.
They turned grocery shopping, a chore that I used to dread into something that I literally look forward to. Yeah! I know! That’s crazy!

This Publix is very nice & clean. The Apron’s cook Karen is by far their friendliest employee. I do have a problem with the fact that they have no indoor seating to enjoy your hot & ready meals they offer. Just doesn’t make sense to offer fresh subs & hot food if you have no seating. There are two picnic tables outside but if it’s freezing and/​or raining who wants to do that?!

Beautiful and new. Everyone is so helpful and friendly.

Yet another Publix has opened in the area. We can now travel just a few miles in any direction and hit one. This location is across the road from a kind of funky and aging Kroger. 10 for 10 is always a nice draw but, frankly, I prefer a nice clean new store.
Today was my second visit to this new Publix as I had just dropped our «furry son» off for his spa day at the groomers (that will be another review) and needed to stock up on provisions for an upcoming family reunion. Our contribution for one evening’s meal will be pulled pork and all the goodies to go with it. The last time I tried to locate enough Boston butt for a crowd, the local grocery competition could not accommodate and we ended up driving all over town visiting store after store to collect enough meat. I didn’t really want a repeat performance if I could help it.
Voila! The nice butcher in the meat dept. here hooked me up with over 20 lbs. of good-​looking Boston butt. Plenty for our crowd! I gather up the rest of what I needed for a nice brine and a good rub (along with the rest of the necessities) and was out of there in under an hour.
Every employee I came in contact with couldn’t have been more friendly and/​or helpful and I will absolutely be back.
I don’t really have a «go-​to» grocery store as I shop the weekly ads against my coupons to get the most for our $$, but this Publix will always be on my radar.