These vintage photos show us what Florida’s first Publix stores used to look like

On Sept. 6, 1930, George Jenkins would arguably change the state of Florida by opening the first Publix store in Winter Haven. Ten years later, Jenkins mortgaged his orange grove and built his first ever Publix "supermarket," which was also built in Winter Haven. Needless to say, the store was a massive hit, but World War II brought a shortage of supplies, and prevented Jenkins from building new stores. In 1945, Jenkins decide to purchased the "All American" grocery store chain and convert them all into Publix supermarkets. A few years later he moved the headquarters to Lakeland, and the rest is history. Now, with locations all over Florida, the grocery chain is a billion dollar corporate giant with yearly earnings that rival Nike. These historical photos from the Florida State Archives show what those first few years were like, and also how the famous slogan "Where shopping is a pleasure" got its inspiration.

Photos by Florida State Archives https://www.floridamemory.com/
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These vintage photos show us what Florida’s first Publix stores used to look like
Publix Market at Venice East near Sarasota, Florida, 1968.
Publix Market at Venice East near Sarasota, Florida, 1968.
Publix shopping plaza in Ocala, 1965.
Publix shopping plaza in Ocala, 1965.
Publix supermarket in Bradenton, 1958.
Publix supermarket in Bradenton, 1958.
First Publix super market - Winter Haven, Florida. Published in 1946.
First Publix super market - Winter Haven, Florida. Published in 1946.
View showing customer at the checkout counter in a Publix supermarket in Sarasota, Florida, 1958.
View showing customer at the checkout counter in a Publix supermarket in Sarasota, Florida, 1958.
George Jenkins, founder of Publix Supermarkets, 1961.
George Jenkins, founder of Publix Supermarkets, 1961.
Interior view of a Publix supermarket in Sarasota, Florida, 1958.
Interior view of a Publix supermarket in Sarasota, Florida, 1958.
Unidentified women in a Publix grocery store - Tallahassee, Florida, 1971.
Unidentified women in a Publix grocery store - Tallahassee, Florida, 1971.
First Publix super market's bakery, 1940 — site of the very first Pub sub, maybe?
First Publix super market's bakery, 1940 — site of the very first Pub sub, maybe?
The College Park Publix located in the business district near Orlando's Edgewater Drive and Yale, 1956.
The College Park Publix located in the business district near Orlando's Edgewater Drive and Yale, 1956.
Customer at the checkout counter in a Publix supermarket in Tallahassee, date unknown.
Customer at the checkout counter in a Publix supermarket in Tallahassee, date unknown.
View showing checkout counters at a Publix supermarket in Sarasota, Florida, 1958.
View showing checkout counters at a Publix supermarket in Sarasota, Florida, 1958.
First Publix super market - Winter Haven, Florida, 1940.
First Publix super market - Winter Haven, Florida, 1940.
Publix supermarket in Tallahassee, date unknown.
Publix supermarket in Tallahassee, date unknown.
First Publix super market - Winter Haven, Fla. 1940.
First Publix super market - Winter Haven, Fla. 1940.
Publix at the Margate plaza - Margate, Florida, date unknown.
Publix at the Margate plaza - Margate, Florida, date unknown.
First Publix super market - Winter Haven, Fla. 1940. The location is now a thrift store.
First Publix super market - Winter Haven, Fla. 1940. The location is now a thrift store.
Publix shopping center - Saint Petersburg, Florida, 1958.
Publix shopping center - Saint Petersburg, Florida, 1958.
Publix Super Market - Gainesville, Florida, 1971.
Publix Super Market - Gainesville, Florida, 1971.
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