Bailey: Mystery grocery in Lakeland leads to some of the usual suspects
We don’t know who the grocer is headed to Lakeland. And any online sleuthing may be wishful thinking. (Jae C. Hong/AP Photo file)
Clay Bailey
Clay Bailey, a lifelong Memphian, has worked as a reporter in the city four decades. He concentrated on suburban coverage for the bulk of his career, except for a stint as sports editor of The Daily Memphian when it launched in September 2018. He now is suburban editor and also serves as a freelance sports writer for The Associated Press.
Let me be clear — we don’t know who the grocer is headed to Lakeland. Not saying it is Publix, but we sure don’t have any evidence that it is. And, frankly, for any online sleuth saying it is, well, that may just be wishful thinking.
To set the stage, Vince Smith, the developer of Ashmont north of the Interstate 40-Canada Road junction into Lakeland, said recently that a private developer with several outparcel under contract at his mixed-use project has narrowed down a potential grocery store user to a couple of final candidates.
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City of Lakeland grocery store Hy-Vee Publix Ashmont Union Depot Walmart Subscriber OnlyWe’re in the final countdown of 2025. ⌛🪩🎉
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