Why shoppers love Publix grocery stores: Some perks at new Lexington-area stores
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Publix has 19 new locations coming to the Bluegrass.
- In Kentucky, every Publix location includes a supermarket, pharmacy and Publix Liquors.
- Since March 2025, Lexington Publix stores donated 789,823 pounds to God's Pantry.
Everyone knows of the “Pub Subs” and the southern hospitality that is promised when stepping through the doors under big green letters that read “Publix.”
The Florida-based grocery chain offers more than what is stocked on the store shelves, and with 19 new locations coming to the Bluegrass State, Kentuckians will be able to familiarize themselves with everything that makes Publix, Publix.
“We really maintained this sort of Southeastern grocery store standard,” Publix media relations manager Jared Glover told The Herald-Leader on May 27, just days after the company announced a new store location coming to Nicholasville.
Here are some of the things that make Publix stand out with Kentucky shoppers, plus some tips to make the most of your shopping:
- Publix has three “stores” at each Kentucky location: Publix Supermarket, Publix Pharmacy and Publix Liquors. In Kentucky, every Publix location has all three. Due to state liquor laws, Florida and Kentucky are the only states to have Publix Liquors locations.
- At the Publix Supermarket, customers can find daily buy-one-get-one deals on the app the day before they go live. New deals run every day, according to Glover, and can be found online in the weekly advertisement flyers, extra savings flyers or on the Publix app.
- When customers download the Publix app, subs and wraps can be ordered ahead of time to skip the line in-store. Publix also offers a delivery service in partnership with Instacart.
- All Publix customers can get a free cake or ice cream on their birthday if registered in the Publix app.
Popcorn, Pours & more: What’s offered at Lexington area locations
The Publix Supermarket has the traditional departments: produce, meat, seafood. Each Lexington location also has a deli, a bakery and a drive-through Publix Pharmacy.
In addition to the traditional grocery store essentials, Publix at The Fountains At Palomar off of Harrodsburg Road features Publix Pours also known as the Pours Cafe. Pours offers coffee, acai bowls, fruit or protein smoothies, and draft beer and wine.
Customers can “sip and shop, or sit and savor,” at Pours during their weekly grocery trip.
Similarly to Pours, made-to-order food stations where customers can get a burrito, pizza, pasta, nachos or appetizers. Each pizza can be made from scratch or ordered by the slice in a self-service style.
The Fountains at Palomar supermarket also has popcorn popped in-store with a variety of flavors including caramel, cheddar, Oreo, dill pickle and kettle.
Serving the community beyond checkout
Founder George Jenkins believed the company should be responsible for the citizens of the community.
“That means as a food service provider, being able to give back to those in need, and for us that means alleviating hunger for our neighbors who are facing hunger insecurities,” Glover said.
Since the first Lexington Publix opened in March 2025, 789,823 pounds of produce have been donated to God’s Pantry Food Bank.
Publix grocers in Kentucky also sponsor the Kentucky Youth Soccer Association. The program, according to KYSA, represents over 40,000 players and 6,000 active coaches.
Publix stores in the Lexington area
Publix at Citation Point off of Georgetown Road was the first location to come to Lexington in March 2025, according to Publix.
A newer location, Publix at The Fountains at Palomar, on the Northwest corner of Man o’ War Boulevard and Harrodsburg Road, followed shortly after.
Off of Tates Creek Road, near Chevy Chase, Publix at Romany was announced, making it the third Publix to be opened in Lexington. The opening date has not been announced.
A Nicholasville Publix was announced on May 26 near the Brannon Crossing shopping center on Nicholasville Road. One of the many new locations to be breaking ground in Kentucky.
What are your favorite grocery perks?
Whether you shop at Publix or another local grocery store, we want to know some of your favorite perks and savings programs. Email Casey Sebastiano at casey.sebastiano@herald-leader.com.