Florida Publix goes viral as ‘Clublix’ for sip-and-shop experience
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A grocery store that opened in Wellington, Fla., last year has become a viral sensation for its sip-and-shop environment.
At this Publix supermarket, shoppers can push carts equipped with cup holders, sip a craft beer or mimosa, and grab a slice of pizza while strolling the aisles.
It has earned it the nickname “Clublix” in local newspapers and among customers who say it lives up to the Florida-based supermarket chain’s slogan, “Where shopping is a pleasure.”
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“Nothing but praise”
The Wellington location is home to Publix Pours, a full bar serving beer, wine, coffee, smoothies and açaí bowls.
Inside the store is a wide variety of dining options, including a burrito counter where customers can prepare their own meal, Chipotle style, without having to pay extra for guacamole.
There’s also a fresh popcorn station with flavors like caramel, dill pickle, and Oreo.
A Publix employee offers samples of Oreo-flavored popcorn at the popcorn station in Wellington, Florida. (Peter Burke/Fox News Digital)
Store manager Joe Seguine told Fox News Digital that he has “nothing but praise for the store’s nickname ‘Clublix’.”
This novelty has created a sense of community among customers – many of whom have become regulars at the bar, Seguine said – and employees.
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“You have the mothers [who] come and they love it for happy hour,” Seguine said.
“And then you have the dads [who] It turns out that women want to go shopping with their wives a lot more because they can watch the game on Sunday or just grab their local craft beer.
“Once or twice a week”
For some area residents, the store has become more than just a Publix.
“We’re here at least once or twice a week,” Wellington mother Sarah Sayre told Fox News Digital. “The kids love the smoothies here at the bar.”
Sarah Sayre told Fox News Digital that she visits Publix Pours at least once a week. She said her kids love smoothies. (Peter Burke/Fox News Digital)
The atmosphere is also more manageable with two young children than in a restaurant, Sayre said.
“Mom has coffee every time, that’s for sure,” she said.
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Near the Publix Pours counter, another customer was overheard telling a store employee, “The best açaí bowls in Palm Beach County, right here.” »
“Bringing people together”
Although the store has been open for nearly a year, the buzz has grown online, with shoppers regularly saying they came from places as far away as Miami, about 70 miles south, just to check it out for themselves, Seguine said.
Some shoppers come from Miami to visit the Publix Pours in Wellington. (Peter Burke/Fox News Digital)
Content creators like Kevin Escalera have helped make Wellington’s Publix a destination, thanks to food and drink reviews on Instagram and TikTok.
Escalera, a Miami food influencer who reviewed the location earlier this year, said he had never seen a grocery store with its own bar.
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“The Publix Pours section was fun because it’s a cool way to bring people together and have something unique,” he told Fox News Digital.
Escalera said he thought the bar “felt a bit like a gimmick” until he saw how busy it was when he was there.
A food influencer said he thought the Publix bar was a “gimmick” until he saw how busy it was during his visit. (Peter Burke/Fox News Digital)
He praised the pizza and popcorn, but said he wasn’t impressed with the burrito. He said it tasted like “college dining hall food.”
Overall, it was worth the trip, Escalera said.
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“I like that they’re pushing the boundaries and trying to have more options, because having prepared food is part of the grocery store experience to elevate it, in my opinion,” he said.
“More options”
Although there are other Publix Pours locations in Florida and other states where Publix has a presence, Wellington remains the star on social media.
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Maria Brous, director of communications for all Publix supermarkets, told Fox News Digital that this is a concept shoppers may see more of in the future.
The Florida-based supermarket hopes to incorporate Publix Pours into its future expansion plans. (Peter Burke/Fox News Digital)
“As we continue to grow and move into other stores and other states as well, it gives us the opportunity, space permitting, to be able to put in a Pours, or to be able to put in an expanded deli,” she said.
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“It gives customers more options. In a time-pressured world, it’s an opportunity to be able to say, ‘I can stop.’ [at] one place, get something for dinner or lunch for everyone, without having to worry about multiple trips.
