Business

Publix looked like that? See the supermarket in the days before Pub Subs and BOGOs

READ MORE

Looking back at old Miami

Photos and memories of the way South Florida used to look: its streets, stores, events and people.

Expand All

The deli subs make us crazy. The BOGOs fill our cupboards. The holiday TV ads make us cry. The prices make us cringe.

What is it about Publix?

We sometimes love it. We sometimes hate it.

But it’s Florida’s grocery store. So it’s ours.

What did Publix look like in the early years? The days when customers got green stamps and the stores were closed on Sundays? Before pharmacies, olive bars, chicken tenders and the dining nooks to eat your Pub Sub?

KNOW MORE: A new Publix just opened in Kendall. What to know about it and other Florida locations

Let’s take a look at these old photos from the Miami Herald archives.

PUBLIX FROM THE OUTSIDE

The first Publix in Winter Haven in 1940.
The first Publix in Winter Haven in 1940. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory.
An early Publix.
An early Publix. Miami Herald File
Crowds swamp a new Publix in Pembroke Pines in the early 1990s.
Crowds swamp a new Publix in Pembroke Pines in the early 1990s. Bob Eighmie Miami Herald File
A South Florida Publix store built in 1961, with the famous fins over the door.
A South Florida Publix store built in 1961, with the famous fins over the door. Albert Coya Miami Herald File
The first Publix to open in Miami Beach is at 1045 Dade Blvd.
The first Publix to open in Miami Beach is at 1045 Dade Blvd. Tim Chapman Miami Herald File
In 1998, the renovation results of the Publix center at Young Circle in downtown Hollywood.
In 1998, the renovation results of the Publix center at Young Circle in downtown Hollywood. Miami Herald File
A Publix in Gainesville in 1971.
A Publix in Gainesville in 1971. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
The downtown Hollywood Publix in 1993.
The downtown Hollywood Publix in 1993. Miami Herald File
Publix from the air in the early 1980s,
Publix from the air in the early 1980s, John Drummings Miami Herald File
A Publix store in Sunrise .
A Publix store in Sunrise . Miami Herald File

PUBLIX FROM THE INSIDE

Cashiers at a South Florida Publix in 1959.
Cashiers at a South Florida Publix in 1959. Doug Kennedy Miami Herald File
The produce section of Publix at Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast 46th Street in Miami in the 1980s.
The produce section of Publix at Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast 46th Street in Miami in the 1980s. Albert Coya Miami Herald File
The checkout lines of a St. Petersburg Publix in 1961.
The checkout lines of a St. Petersburg Publix in 1961. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
The checkout lanes at the WInter Haven Publix.
The checkout lanes at the WInter Haven Publix. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory.
The inside of a Sarasota Publix in 1958.
The inside of a Sarasota Publix in 1958. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory

PUBLIX WORKERS

Publix workers in the early 1980s.
Publix workers in the early 1980s. Miami Herald File
A Tallahassee Publix in the 1970s or ’80s.
A Tallahassee Publix in the 1970s or ’80s. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Checkout in Sarasota in 1958.
Checkout in Sarasota in 1958. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
In 2001, PublixDirect launched its online grocery service in Pompano Beach. The service features a large selection of the products offered at a typical Publix store. Pictured is a scene inside the giant warehouse.
In 2001, PublixDirect launched its online grocery service in Pompano Beach. The service features a large selection of the products offered at a typical Publix store. Pictured is a scene inside the giant warehouse. Bob Eighmie Miami Herald File

PUBLIX CUSTOMERS

Publix founder George Jenkins with customers in 1961.
Publix founder George Jenkins with customers in 1961. Miami Herald File
Shoppers at a Publix in Hallandale Beach in 1990.
Shoppers at a Publix in Hallandale Beach in 1990. Miami Herald File
Customer and cashier at a Publix at Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast 90th Street in Miami Shores.
Customer and cashier at a Publix at Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast 90th Street in Miami Shores. John Walther Miami Herald File
In Coral Spring, the Publix at 8160 Wiles Rd.rolled out an automatic checkout system. That’s 3-year-old Jaclene Appel helping her mother Patty Appel lift things out of the cart in 1990.
In Coral Spring, the Publix at 8160 Wiles Rd.rolled out an automatic checkout system. That’s 3-year-old Jaclene Appel helping her mother Patty Appel lift things out of the cart in 1990. Alan Freund Miami Herald File
Publix shoppers in the 1950s.
Publix shoppers in the 1950s. Doug Kennedy Miami Herald File
A customer at the deli counter in Fort Lauderdale in the early 1980s.
A customer at the deli counter in Fort Lauderdale in the early 1980s. Steve Dozier Miami Herald File

This story was originally published June 16, 2023 at 6:42 AM.

Profile Image of Jeff Kleinman
Jeff Kleinman
Miami Herald
305-376-3561
Consumer Team Editor Jeff Kleinman oversees coverage for health, shopping, real estate, tourism and recalls/scams/fraud.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER

Looking back at old Miami

Photos and memories of the way South Florida used to look: its streets, stores, events and people.

Back to Story