Publix allows open carry, but what about Miami-area Winn-Dixie, malls, theaters?
Florida is now an open-carry state. But not everywhere.
Businesses have the final say on whether customers can holster a firearm outside their clothing. So far, many aren’t putting out the welcome mat for customers who open carry, citing existing “no guns” policies.
But Florida-based Publix has announced it is allowing open carry inside its supermarkets. That means shoppers can now stroll through the aisles with firearm in holster at their waist while perusing Pub Sub deals and BOGOs of the week.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s recent memo to law enforcement officers that open carry is “the law of the state” followed a First District Court of Appeal ruling that Florida’s ban on open carry was unconstitutional.
MORE: People can now carry firearms openly in public in Florida, attorney general says
The ruling went into effect on Sept. 25. Publix’s decision to allow customers to open carry came earlier this week, about two weeks after the effective date.
Miami-Dade’s performing arts theater also is allowing open carry, according to a county spokesperson.
Publix spokeswoman Lindsey Willis sent the Miami Herald a statement about the supermarket chain’s decision.
“Florida law allows the open carry of firearms. Publix follows all federal, state and local laws. Treating customers with dignity and respect is a founding belief at Publix. In any instance where a customer creates a threatening, erratic or dangerous shopping experience — whether they are openly carrying a firearm or not — we will engage local law enforcement to protect our customers and associates.”
The decision is a switch from Publix’s stance in 2019. Back then, the Lakeland, Florida-based grocery giant said that it “respectfully requests that only law enforcement officials openly carry firearms in our stores.” That policy applied even in states where open carry was legally allowed at the time.
So what does open carry mean for retailers — grocery chains, shopping malls, movie and performing arts theaters?
First, understand what the ruling means. People still are prohibited from carrying guns — openly or concealed — in certain areas, including schools and university campuses; professional athletic events not related to firearms; hospitals; police stations; courts and polling places.
And private property owners still can restrict people from bringing weapons into their spaces, concealed or open carry.
“We continue to respect everyone’s Second Amendment rights, but it’s important to know that the open and concealed carrying of firearms remains restricted in numerous places,” Boca Raton police officer Jose Martinez said.
Martinez, in a public service message, said the open carrying of firearms also is banned from detention facilities, prisons or jails; government proceedings, religious venues and bars.
Some private business owners are still trying to process the change in Florida’s gun law.
Matthew Pigatt, director of small business and membership services at the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, plans on discussing the effects of the new open carry legislation with business people at an upcoming meeting.
“We haven’t heard anything yet from our members,” he said.
Renae Barber, the owner of POW Restaurant and Lounge in Miami Gardens, said customer safety and gun safety are important to her.
“The right to defend your life is real, but so is the responsibility of handling weapons for safety,” she said
Barber is a licensed gun carrier and believes that gun owners should go through mandatory training before they’re allowed to purchase firearms.
“I feel like [people] should have training before they carry.”
While malls generally prohibit firearms of any kind inside, businesses along public streets face a different situation.
Consider the open-air Lincoln Road, the pedestrian plaza in Miami Beach that recently broke ground on a multimillion restoration plan.
“Lincoln Road is a public street,” said Melissa Berthier, director of communications for Miami Beach. “The city cannot restrict the open carry of firearms, however, individual stores may elect to do so.”
Here’s a look at some of the places that responded to a Miami Herald inquiry on how they intend to practice the new open carry law.
Supermarkets
Grocery stores are considered private businesses, so they have leeway in how they respond to weapons inside their stores.
- Winn-Dixie: The Jacksonville-based grocery chain is not following Publix’s lead. Winn-Dixie’s parent company Southeastern Grocers released this statement: “Our priority is creating a safe and welcoming shopping experience for all customers and associates. As a private business, our policy remains unchanged: we do not permit open carry of firearms inside our stores. We respectfully ask customers to secure firearms safely before entering, and we appreciate the continued cooperation that helps us maintain an environment where everyone feels comfortable.”
- Publix: Allowing open carry.
- Sedano’s: A Sedano’s supermarket staffer said from the Little Havana store that licensed gun owners are able to carry their weapons throughout each of the local chain’s locations.
- Whole Foods Market: The Amazon-owned chain prohibits concealed and openly carried firearms on its properties.
Shopping malls
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Shopping malls are also considered private property.
- Aventura Mall’s policy prohibits the possession of weapons of any nature on the property. This is a long-established policy the new ruling won’t change. Guests can find the code of conduct posted at mall entrances and available at aventuramall.com.
- Simon Properties, which operates many of South Florida’s most popular malls including Dadeland, Sawgrass Mills, The Falls, Brickell City Centre and Miami International Mall didn’t respond to several Miami Herald queries about its gun policy. But the company’s online Code of Conduct, last updated in May, lists “no weapons.”
Theaters
Theaters, including performance arts centers and movie theaters are private businesses, too, but there might be exceptions.
- Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami will allow open carry, spokeswoman Suzette Espinosa Fuentes said. But there is a rule she pointed to in the venue’s statement: “As a government-owned facility, the Adrienne Arsht Center complies with all applicable local, state and federal firearm laws. Visitors must present valid firearm permits at security screening points.”
- Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale doesn’t permit weapons on site. “Other than members of law enforcement, the open or unlicensed carrying of firearms on the premises of the Broward Center is not authorized,” BCPA said in a statement.
- Regal Cinemas and AMC Theatres: The movie chains don’t permit weapons at their movie properties. Regal posts its rule on its website and adds “props or fake weapons.” AMC doesn’t specify on its website but has signs at its theaters.
This story was originally published October 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
