Publix has announced plans to open a new roughly 50,000-square-foot supermarket at the Watersound West Bay Center in Panama City Beach, Florida, bringing its familiar mix of grocery offerings, pharmacy, deli, bakery, and adjacent liquor store to the entrance of the Latitude Margaritaville Watersound community. Slated to break ground later this year, the supermarket is set to anchor a sweeping open-air development of about half a million square feet that will include retail shops, restaurants, medical offices, and flexible storefronts.
In addition to the supermarket, the plan calls for adjacent in-line retail spaces and a standalone multi-tenant building already under construction, with occupancy expected in early 2026. The entire center is being developed along State Road 79, a fast-growing corridor near Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport and just minutes from area beaches and a soon-to-be medical campus. This development represents the latest phase in St. Joe’s strategy to build pedestrian-friendly lifestyle centers tied closely to its residential communities.
Work on Watersound West Bay Center began around 2022, and the project spans 110 acres, situated at 8435 W. Bay Parkway. As a key element of this mixed-use vision, Publix will anchor a resort-style setting that offers both everyday convenience and a vibrant community hub near the beach. If all goes according to plan, the flagship supermarket will cement Publix’s presence in Panama City Beach while bringing essential services and grocery options to residents of Latitude Margaritaville and beyond. Construction is expected to begin later this year, with full development unfolding through early 2026. The new store highlights a strategic move that blends community-focused retail with modern, walkable developmental design.
Publix, founded in 1930, has grown into one of the largest employee-owned supermarket chains in the United States. Known for its strong customer service, clean stores, and deep community ties, Publix has become a household name throughout the Southeast. This latest expansion into Panama City Beach continues its long tradition of serving growing communities with quality and care.
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