The store at U.S. 41 and Apollo Beach Boulevard will replace a Winn-Dixie that closed several years ago.
By LETITIA STEIN
Published April 30, 2004
APOLLO BEACH - An eyesore strip mall is getting an overdue facelift as the Publix grocery chain prepares to meet Apollo Beach, where residents await shopping options with pleasure.
Earlier this month, the 115,000 square-foot strip mall at U.S. 41 and Apollo Beach Boulevard changed ownership in order for a developer to bring in a Publix supermarket.
"That's really one reason why we sold the shopping center," said Richard Phagan, co-owner of the company that owned the plaza in recent years. An Apollo Beach resident, Phagan said he has been working to land the grocery since fall of 2002. "I wanted a Publix here, too."
Securing the 39,000 square-foot Publix, expected to open in December, ended months of speculation about what would happen to the largely vacant strip mall. A spokeswoman for Publix could not give an opening date, but said the grocery chain would serve Apollo Beach as soon as possible.
Demolition crews have torn down space that housed a Winn-Dixie several years ago. Other plaza tenants include Beef O'Brady's restaurant and Century 21 Real Estate.
New owner Paradise Shoppes of Oldsmar is bringing a makeover that includes a new facade. Developers also would redo the aging parking lot and add outdoor lights.
The commercial development comes as Apollo Beach hits a critical midpoint in developing a plan intended to guide the community's growth into the future.
Last week, Duany Plater-Zyberk unveiled a vision dotted with references to France's Nice and Florida's St. Augustine - a far cry from development-by-development sprawl typical of unincorporated Hillsborough County.
"You have a lot of development coming into this area with a lot of money," said Rex Hall of Apollo Beach. He liked Duany's vision, but wondered how much was realistic. "I'm not sure if they are going to like being told what to do."
In the coming months, the community must decide which planning concepts to include in its working plan - which must gain the approval of Hillsborough County's Board of Commissioners.
In the interim, development and commercial growth both are pressing forward.
"The community at large is obviously quite excited to have Publix, because it's an upgrade for Apollo Beach," said Colin Howgill, president of the Apollo Beach Chamber of Commerce. "I'm sure it is the first of many that will be moving in over the next few years."
Meanwhile, the company that sold the Apollo Beach Plaza is building another shopping center, called Plaza Place, around the corner on Apollo Beach Boulevard. Shopping options will include a chain beauty salon and a beauty supply store, a Chinese restaurant and sandwich shop, Phagan said.
