BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
PHOTOS BY SARAH STEPHENS AND JAMIE BROWN
Initial work for the Grandview Plaza and Publix has been seen for some time now along Hwy. 14 in Millbrook, but this morning the official groundbreaking was celebrated by local officials, residents, developers, and Publix representatives. Publix is set to be open for business by mid-2024.
Millbrook Economic Development Director Ann Harper introduced the many speakers, and thanked everyone who has had a hand in this project for almost four years.
“This type of project doesn’t happen overnight. Thoe of you who have been involved in this project know that well,” she said. “About three and a half years ago a gentleman named Jeff Werszner, VP of development with RealtyLink Development in Alabama, walked into my office. He just started asking a bunch of questions about Millbrook.”
It would be a bit later before it was clear of his intentions, she said, and a beautiful business relationship was created.
Senator Clyde Chambliss said it takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears by a many people working together and planning for the future. It took hard work and luck played little or no role.
“I have never seen a city and county work together better than what is going on in Millbrook and Elmore County right now,” Chambliss said. “It is a big, big deal.”
Mayor Al Kelley thanked everyone for attending, and apologized for the delay. He was waiting on his friend Leon Capouano to arrive. Leon owned the property where Publix will be located and was instrumental in the overall project becoming reality.
“Twenty-seven years ago I met a gentleman. We didn’t get along real well sometimes. Leon Capouano is sitting right there. We sat in my office when it was the old city hall. He told me what he was going to do with this property right here. And I said, ‘Well, we all have to work together.’ And Leon said, pretty much, he would do what he wanted to do with it,” he said with a laugh. “I pretty much said ‘No, you are not.’ I think he and Wayne Russell got up and walked out of my office. That was the start of a great relationship.”
Mayor Kelley smiled as he spoke of his friend. “Leon is a tough old bird. Working with him these 27 years on Walmart, and all these other properties, just being a part of that and watching the gentleman work has been a pleasure. Leon has taught me a lot over the years. This property right here, we shot birds up here more than once. We have been hunting all across this property.”
The Mayor, Leon and others visited Bentonville, Arkansas many years as they coaxed Walmart to Millbrook.
“Leon has always had the best interest of Millbrook, as well as his own family,” Kelley said.
He then directed his comments to the Publix representatives and developers, thanking them.
“This place right here is not just where a Publix will be. That property up on the hill is some of the most beautiful around here. It took this to get us there. Publix is going to be our gateway to that future up there. It will be wide open up there on top of that hill. I am so glad to have the Publix here. You don’t know how many times I have been asked when we would get a Publix here. We appreciate you.”
Kelley said it has been a pleasure to work with the developers and public representatives throughout the four years in the making of Publix a part of Millbrook.
Elmore County Commission Chairman Bart Mercer said he is very excited about the Highway 14 corridor, and Publix is one of the latest new projects to begin.
“The County Commission is working to help our municipalities anyway we can. The improvements and new construction I think we will see in this corridor over the next few years will be very transformational.”
John Whitson, with Realty Link, is responsible for initially putting the Publix deal together, and addressed the crowd.
“This project started with coming down here and finding this piece of property, beginning that relationship with Leon and the City of Millbrook,” Whitson said. “Millbrook has been very accommodating in helping every step of the way. Publix has some of the best real estate people, with demographics and analysis, in the world. So, if they tell you that you have a good spot and things are happening, you have a good spot and things are happening. This is an exciting time. We are happy to be here and thankful for the opportunity.”
House District 88 Representative Jerry Starnes thanked everyone present and congratulated the partners who made Publix possible.
“We are excited to add yet another anchor business to this growing (Highway 14) Corridor. We are highly anticipating the final phase of 17 Springs and Publix only adds to the excitement. Thanks to the leadership of Mayor Al Kelley, President of City Council Michael Gay, the Council, Chairman Mercer and the Elmore County Commission. Thank you to Ann Harper and the Millbrook Chamber.”
Terri Wallace, with Publix, said the store will hire in the area of 120 people, and will be dedicated to customer satisfaction. We will have more information to come about hiring events.
Closing remarks were made by Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce Director Brenda Dennis.
“Ann Harper, I thank you for putting all of this together today,” she said. “As excited as we are today, imagine how excited we will be as a Chamber to do that ribbon cutting. We are just absolutely thrilled. We are excited about the development. We want to congratulate Mayor Al Kelley and the Council for their commitment to the community and their constant vision. That is what really defines Millbrook…the vision.”
Grandview Plaza is just one of the many projects ongoing in the city. Dennis said all of these will strengthen the economy and help local families in the future.
About the Grandview Plaza and Publix Development:
The development covers approximately 14 acres and will include a shopping center anchored by Publix. According to John Whitson, a developer with RealtyLink, a full-service real estate development company, the 47,240 square foot Publix will feature pharmacy, bakery, deli, floral and fresh seafood departments.
In addition, the shopping center will include 6000 square feet of retail shops and two outparcels. The target opening date is mid-2024.
About Publix:
Publix is the largest employee-owned company in the United States with over 250,000 employees. It is one of the 10 largest-volume supermarket chains in the country with retail sales in 2022 reaching $54.5 billion. Currently Publix has 88 store locations in Alabama. For more information, visit www.Publix.com
About RealtyLink:
Headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina and founded in 1998, RealtyLink is a full-service real estate development company. The company has developed over 600 projects across the country including grocery-anchored shopping centers, power retail centers, single tenant build-to-suit, multifamily, industrial, self-storage, and mixed-use properties. For more information visit [email protected].
