History and culture
Winter Haven started Publix with one food store
Publix began in Winter Haven before the Florida grocery name became part of everyday life across much of the Southeast.
Publix feels so normal in Florida that it is easy to forget it had a first address.
George Jenkins opened his first Publix Food Store in Winter Haven in 1930. A few years later, he opened another location across town. In 1940, he closed those first two stores. Then he opened the first Publix Super Market, also in Winter Haven.
That 1940 store was meant to feel different. It had air conditioning, bright lights, automatic doors, terrazzo floors, and a cleaner feel. Shoppers did not need a business class to understand the point. The store simply felt easier.
For Polk County, the story is more than nostalgia. It shows how Florida business history can start in a mid-sized inland city. The chain grew far beyond Winter Haven, but the first idea belongs here.
If you want to follow the story, check current local history information before you look for old locations. Businesses change. Buildings change. The history is easier to enjoy when you know what is still visible.
Where to see it
Winter Haven's downtown area and Publix history material. Check current local history stops or markers before making a special trip.
Official sources
Last checked against these sources: July 1, 2026.