Update on Publix coming to Seneca

Back in May, Publix purchased the lease of the former Bi-Lo store off Highway 130 in Seneca. Oconee Economic Alliance Executive Director Richard Blackwell gives an update on the new super market chain coming to the city. “If you have driven by the property recently, they continue to do some interior upfitting and just getting what felt like a Bi-Lo out of that box. You are going to see them start on the interior improvements within the next month or two. I remember three years ago talking to Publix about this market and they always had some hesitation because they thought a store in Seneca would compete with a store a Clemson and we tried to paint the picture that is not necessarily true. We thought we had them at a different part of the county about six or seven months ago with a new construction type development but it is certainly cheaper to take over a lease than it is to build new construction. So, I’m not surprised that they took that property as soon as possible because they have been looking in this area for well over three years and it finally made sense. A lot of times you just need to be patient and have a little bit of luck on your side. We have a very attractive market and it speaks a lot to who Seneca is and who Oconee County is when a business closes on Friday and you have a new tenant the very next week. So, that speaks volumes to where we are, where we are going and this is just a great place to do business.” Publix paid $100,000 for the lease, which expires in 2021, along with fixtures, equipment, permits and licenses associated with the store; however, there has been no official word on when an opening announcement might be made for Publix at that location.