Bad weather and a stormy economy didn't stop eager shoppers from attending the grand opening of a new Publix at 6:45 this morning. The Publix is located in the Capital Market Center off Alabama Highway 69 South and Southview Lane.
With the current economic crisis, the new Publix might offer some much needed economic relief to the community of Tuscaloosa as well as additional competition to other grocery stores in the area. Winn Dixie and Food World are both already in the city limits.
Mayor Walt Maddox said the Publix alone would generate an estimated $13 million a year in sales its first year, which would translate to $260,000 in city sales tax and $65,000 in revenue from the countywide sales tax.
"Grocery stores are the most stable producers of sales tax," Maddox told The Tuscaloosa News in an earlier interview. "People don't quit buying groceries."
However, if Publix takes away business from the other supermarkets, the city's sales tax revenue would actually go down.
The Tuscaloosa opening was at the top of the Publix Supermarkets corporate Web site.
Ken Hunt, Publix store manager, spoke to the crowd at the ribbon cutting ceremony, which took place inside due to inclement weather.
"Me and my management staff and all of out associated here are here to take care of all of you," said Hunt. "We want to be the best store in town."
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