Suburbs

The sheer mention of Publix in the same breath with Shelby County this week started the usual frenzy that comes with any thought that the grocer is coming to this area.

In this case, the speaker was John Duncan, the former Collierville economic development director, who started talking about Publix eventually coming to the Southeast Shelby town. He was told when Publix comes to West Tennessee, a store will land in Collierville.

Let the excitement begin ...

It is easy to understand the allure of Publix for everyone who ventures to the Gulf Coast for vacation. And to want that same feeling when you shop here at home. Not to mention any additional grocery competition to the mainstay in the market is welcome.

But before everyone gets jazzed up for Publix outlets around the county, there are some things to consider. And I have made these points about Publix before thanks to former Bartlett Mayor Keith McDonald’s perception about Publix.

Publix is synonymous for many folks with vacation, the mayor noted. A time where you don’t think as much about your spending. Not as disciplined. You budget for a bit more extravagance if you budget at all. It is a time of fun, family, sun and sand. A relaxing time when you leave your worries back in Shelby County.

So, the Publix perception is connected to good times, less-controlled spending, a time of relaxation and less worry.

A different vibe from being at home the other 50 weeks of the year.

Then there is the Coors factor. If you can’t shop at the store here, then its absence makes it more desirable. When Coors was only available in certain parts of the country, it was the best-tasting beer you could find. People would go West, grab a case or two and try to sneak it past the Border Beer Patrol in Arkansas. If a friend made it through Suds Security and gave you a six-pack, you sipped and savored it like someone in the desert on their last canteen of water.

We saw something similar when Whataburger came back to town. Trader Joe’s was a big deal when that store was rumored headed this way finally. That interest has lessened too.

Schnucks was supposed to provide grocery competition and did for a while. But I seem to recall that prices were a bit higher, and I guess the connection to St. Louis and the Cardinals wasn’t as strong as Publix and the beach.

Finally, if all of that is not enough to curb the excitement, there is one other thing to consider: Duncan did not say the Publix arrival was imminent. Fact is, there was no timetable. Just a promise from the grocery chain that if they ever came to West Tennessee, they would plant one in Collierville. Nothing concrete said about this week, this month, this year or any particular time.

So don’t hold your breath.

— Suburbs editor, Clay Bailey

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