March 5, 2026 – CountUp

Welcome back to #TravelThursday. Last month (February) was Homecoming Month. I wrote about driving around Florida and walking around my neighborhood (Feb. 05TH), the Avon Park Depot Museum (Feb. 12TH), the Sebring Historical Society (Feb. 19TH), and the Charles F. Weigle House Museum & Gift Shop (Feb. 26TH). This week I write about a place that is quintessential Florida, and that is – Publix – where shopping is a pleasure.

Publix is my playground. It’s my favorite store in the entire world. I’ve spent more money at Publix over the past 33 years than any other store, and it’s not even close. And this month – March – does indeed mark 33 years as a Publix customer. I first started shopping at Publix in Melbourne Florida when I moved there in March 1993. I shopped at Publix # 704 on South Babcock (built in 1959). I lived a half-mile away from there.

When I moved back to partially rebuilt (post Hurricane Andrew) Homestead a year later in 1994 the Publix (# 510) on U.S. 1 eventually became my new go-to store. And then a 2ND Publix (# 1029) opened in Homestead in 2005. And then a 3RD Publix (# 1136) opened in Homestead in 2007. I shopped at all 3 almost equally. # 510 was my “Original Publix”. # 1029 was my “Work Publix”. # 1136 was my “New Publix”. They were each located just a few miles away from each other. They each had their own unique character. And then a 4TH Publix (# 1229) opened in Homestead just a mile down the road from my longtime neighborhood – a year after I had moved away to Sebring.

And now my Publix (# 1347) – opened in 2008 – is my home away from home – just a couple of miles away from home. I would not have moved to Sebring if there was no Publix. We have 3 Publix stores here in Highlands County, and I’ve never been to the other 2. (No need to.)

Nowadays I average about 40 Publix visits per year, and that’s actually down from my 2015 to 2023 average of 60 visits per year. (I often went to my “Work Publix” for lunch when I was working in Homestead.)

“But Chris – Publix is so expensive. How can you afford it there ?”

I probably don’t pay what you pay at Publix. I meticulously create my shopping list on their digital app based on weekly sales, BOGOs, and coupons. (Wednesday is a great day, as that’s the day they reveal their new weekly ad online.) I typically save anywhere from $10 to $30 or more on my average Publix receipt. Most of the items on my receipt are on sale. And everything I buy is actually less expensive than Walmart. (Believe it or not – I only go to Walmart about 8 to 10 times a year – more so now than I did when I lived in Homestead. Both of our Walmart stores are nicer here.)

So when I enter a Publix store I become noticeably happier. I belong there. If you see me singing in the aisles it could be because of the awesome music that’s playing on the sound system. Long live the ’80s and ’90s !

Next #TravelThursday – I’ll begin a multiple part series on a unique agriculture and natural resources tour of the local area. Go Gators ! Let’s keep traveling together.