Updated 1/9/12: The Publix store is closing at 7 p.m., Jan. 9, not 10 p.m. as was originally stated by Publix.
After 17 years in business, the Publix supermarket in the Memorial Bend shopping center on Memorial Drive is closing.
"We have made plans to close the Memorial Drive store on January 9 at 10 p.m., at the end of business that day, because the store has been for quite some time under-performing," said Brenda Reid, media and community relations manager for Publix.
"Our management team has been notified and all interested parties who would like to continue working with Publix will be given the opportunity to transfer to another store," Reid said.
Updated 12/4: Brenda Reid, media and community relations manager for Publix, told Patch this week that the company's decision was not because of the new Walmart. "This [under-performing] has been going on for several years," she said.
The store, which opened in 1995, has 85 associates, she said.
"It's a tragedy that we're losing a good, quality grocery store, said Vernell Kimbrough, a resident of nearby Hearthstone and president of the Hearthstone Community Club."Hopefully there will be another anchor that recognizes the potential in this neighborhood."
"It's like they're leaving without warning," he said.
After getting confirmation about the closing, Kimbrough alerted residents via e-mail on Friday.
In an e-mail to several DeKalb County commissioners and CEO Burrell Ellis, resident Jan Dunaway, board member of the grassroots community group Pride Rings in Stone Mountain, expressed concern about how the , may have impacted Publix's decision:
This loss will leave Memorial Drive with NO grocery stores from Columbia Drive to North Hairston which will have a great impact for those without transportation. Memorial Drive will also have another large empty store which is just what we need. I do not consider the opening of one store economic development if it forces the closure of others. What are the County and our elected officials doing to prevent other businesses from leaving? Is the County having regular conversation with Kroger or Office Depot to determine their long term plans and asking what can be done to maintain our existing businesses?
If the community cannot support a Publix, will the community be able to support a Walmart? It appears that Walmart puts more than just Mom and Pop stores at risk so we need to be proactive in preventing the demise of other stores along our continuing to decline corridor.
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What do you think about the Memorial Drive Publix closing? Tell us in the comments section below.
Grass Roots do not use "I", they use the word "WE". examples being, "We the People of these United States...", "We oppose Walmart because...", "We want a better place for our kids!", 'We support our local businesses". It's not hard Jerry, well not for most of us anyway, it's as simple as thinking of others, sharing your time and doing whats best for a community. It is not about chasing the "Almighty Dollar" and/or forcing an unwanted business upon a community. It IS about what is BEST for a community, not what is best for you. For the sake of the community and the 100 odd employees and only for their sake, I hope a new supermarket does move in. Losing ANY local business to a Walmart is a horrible thing.
are no other options! Kroger is a very good option! Prices that really save you money... FRESH , 'quality meats' and produce! As for Food Depo... Just research and consider where you find this chain of markets. I won't shop there. Has anyone out there heard of, or shopped at WHOLE FOOD MARKETS ?! These stores would truly change the landscape of our neighborhoods and express the quality that we DESERVE and expect! As for shoplifters .. Upgrade your security and seriously prosicute.
1. Publix is the ONLY DECENT grocery store within 5-10 miles of the Memorial corridor. The Kroger at N. Hairston is a breeding ground for criminals. I speak from experience. 2. We are in GEORGIA not NEW JERSEY!!!!!! 3. There are some other stores, Sav-A-Lot (no thanks) and Save-Rite (I call it "the crap store"), otherwise, we have to drive to Decatur or Lavista for decent shopping. We must STOP expecting others to fix our problems, pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and GET CRACKING making an impact ANYWHERE we can be heard! And yes, Publix is a for-profit company, but still, if more folks shopped there, their revenue would show it. I get the business decision, but why can't we band together and CHANGE THAT???????????? Let's be heard!
I do wonder, however, whether we can support a Wal Mart. We couldn't seem to support the Big Lots across the street!
Problems - homeless ( many drug addicts) hang out in center parking lot, shoplifting is unbelievable in this center, Dekalb police are terrible , it's location is its worst problem
above that Applebies) to the area. It's a shame that such a busy corridor can't be financially successful. Gotta go...on may way to Perimeter ...to shop!
WE need to shop in OUR community. I buy everything I need as locally as possible, and our neighborhood (Dunaire) has organized a monthly "Dunaire Dines Out" event to support local restaurants. If you aren't supporting your community businesses, you have no right to complain when your community businesses abandon you.