Publix looked like that? See the supermarket in the days before Pub Subs and BOGOs

Jeff Kleinman
·1 min read

The deli subs make us crazy. The BOGOs fill our cupboards. The holiday TV ads make us cry. The prices make us cringe.

What is it about Publix?

We sometimes love it. We sometimes hate it.

But it’s Florida’s grocery store. So it’s ours.

What did Publix look like in the early years? The days when customers got green stamps and the stores were closed on Sundays? Before pharmacies, olive bars, chicken tenders and the dining nooks to eat your Pub Sub?

KNOW MORE: A new Publix just opened in Kendall. What to know about it and other Florida locations

Let’s take a look at these old photos from the Miami Herald archives.

PUBLIX FROM THE OUTSIDE

The first Publix in Winter Haven in 1940.
The first Publix in Winter Haven in 1940.
An early Publix.
An early Publix.
Crowds swamp a new Publix in Pembroke Pines in the early 1990s.
Crowds swamp a new Publix in Pembroke Pines in the early 1990s.
A South Florida Publix store built in 1961, with the famous fins over the door.
A South Florida Publix store built in 1961, with the famous fins over the door.
The first Publix to open in Miami Beach is at 1045 Dade Blvd.
The first Publix to open in Miami Beach is at 1045 Dade Blvd.
In 1998, the renovation results of the Publix center at Young Circle in downtown Hollywood.
In 1998, the renovation results of the Publix center at Young Circle in downtown Hollywood.
A Publix in Gainesville in 1971.
A Publix in Gainesville in 1971.
The downtown Hollywood Publix in 1993.
The downtown Hollywood Publix in 1993.
Publix from the air in the early 1980s,
Publix from the air in the early 1980s,
A Publix store in Sunrise .
A Publix store in Sunrise .

PUBLIX FROM THE INSIDE

Cashiers at a South Florida Publix in 1959.
Cashiers at a South Florida Publix in 1959.
The produce section of Publix at Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast 46th Street in Miami in the 1980s.
The produce section of Publix at Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast 46th Street in Miami in the 1980s.
The checkout lines of a St. Petersburg Publix in 1961.
The checkout lines of a St. Petersburg Publix in 1961.
The checkout lanes at the WInter Haven Publix.
The checkout lanes at the WInter Haven Publix.
The inside of a Sarasota Publix in 1958.
The inside of a Sarasota Publix in 1958.

PUBLIX WORKERS

Publix workers in the early 1980s.
Publix workers in the early 1980s.
A Tallahassee Publix in the 1970s or ’80s.
A Tallahassee Publix in the 1970s or ’80s.
Checkout in Sarasota in 1958.
Checkout in Sarasota in 1958.
In 2001, PublixDirect launched its online grocery service in Pompano Beach. The service features a large selection of the products offered at a typical Publix store. Pictured is a scene inside the giant warehouse.
In 2001, PublixDirect launched its online grocery service in Pompano Beach. The service features a large selection of the products offered at a typical Publix store. Pictured is a scene inside the giant warehouse.

PUBLIX CUSTOMERS

Publix founder George Jenkins with customers in 1961.
Publix founder George Jenkins with customers in 1961.
Shoppers at a Publix in Hallandale Beach in 1990.
Shoppers at a Publix in Hallandale Beach in 1990.
Customer and cashier at a Publix at Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast 90th Street in Miami Shores.
Customer and cashier at a Publix at Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast 90th Street in Miami Shores.
In Coral Spring, the Publix at 8160 Wiles Rd.rolled out an automatic checkout system. That’s 3-year-old Jaclene Appel helping her mother Patty Appel lift things out of the cart in 1990.
In Coral Spring, the Publix at 8160 Wiles Rd.rolled out an automatic checkout system. That’s 3-year-old Jaclene Appel helping her mother Patty Appel lift things out of the cart in 1990.
Publix shoppers in the 1950s.
Publix shoppers in the 1950s.
A customer at the deli counter in Fort Lauderdale in the early 1980s.
A customer at the deli counter in Fort Lauderdale in the early 1980s.

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