Publix grocery store opens in Cary, causes frenzy
CARY, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Triangle's first Publix grocery store opened its doors Wednesday.
Dozens lined up before the 7 a.m. grand opening at the northeast corner of High House and Davis in the Bradford Shopping Center.
The Green Hope High School Band headlined the grocery store's debut.
The first day of business was busy. Police were on hand to help direct traffic. There was an accident in the parking lot outside of the store. Police say a shopper rear-ended another car.
Publix devotees have been flocking to the store and awaiting the opening.
"I have been eating out for the last month and a half waiting for Publix to open so I could get groceries," said shopper Ashley Madden.
"We're parked on the dirt because we couldn't find a parking space," said shopper Vicki Crocker.
Finding a parking space for shoppers has been hard to come by, and so has getting a shopping cart. The store has been wiped out a few times as customers clog the aisles and peruse Publix.
Publix spokesperson Kim Reynolds says the company is excited to offer the Cary community quality products and a high level of service.
"We go above beyond for our customers," said Reynolds. "Things like walking you out to your car to unload your groceries or walking you down to an item down the aisle that you can't find. We really want to treat our customers like kings and queens. That's what we strive to do."
The opening has started a supermarket war. There's a Harris Teeter just a short drive away and the clientele between the two is similar. ABC11 saw one shopper in Publix with her Harris Teeter reusable shopping bags. In the paper Wednesday, Harris Teeter was offering a $10 off coupon to customers.
"We know that competition is a constant in our business, and we also know that Harris Teeter associates are committed to serving their customers at the highest level possible," said Harris Teeter spokesperson Danna Jones. "Every day, our associates are ready to provide their customers with the best shopping experience possible. This includes exemplary customer service, as well as high quality products, competitive pricing and great promotions. Everyone was very excited to open the doors to our Village Square Shopping Center location this morning [Wednesday], and we're equally enthusiastic about continuing to serve the Cary community from both this location and our eight other area stores."
ABC11 did a quick comparison of some common household items at both stores and looked at store brand products. For a dozen of jumbo eggs, Publix has the better price. It was 46 cents cheaper. A roll of paper towels will cost you 16 cents less at Publix. In the produce aisle, bananas are the same exact price right now.
Prices have left some customers unsure of where they'll go and spend their money.
"Harris Teeter is closer right now, but I'm familiar with Publix from Florida and they have some good stuff in there," said shopper Dorice Crosby.
Publix plans to aggressively open more stores in the Triangle. There's a proposal for one in North Raleigh at the corner of Dunn and Falls of Neuse Roads. The company is currently scouting out other locations.
The Florida-based chain has gradually been increasing its presence in the Southeast. It already has stores in the greater Charlotte area.
A developer wants to build the store at Falls of Neuse and Dunn Roads in north Raleigh, but residents in the area have voiced their anger and frustration, saying they don't want all of the extra traffic.
Raleigh's Planning Committee and the city council are slated to vote on rezoning an 11 acre plot north of Interstate 540 to add the almost 50,000 square foot grocery store.
