New Publix on Hwy 98 in SoWal breaking ground

Anyone else find it ridiculous that we are getting grocery stores less than 10 minutes apart but still have to drive an hour for most medical care?

All of my doctors are in the medical building in front of Sacred Heart - which is a fine hospital, and I think we are lucky to have it! The farthest I have to go is to the Walton/Okaloosa county line on 98, to get to the SH Medical Group there.

The farthest we ever had to go was when Mom's oncologist would not have his Destin office hours one week a month, and we would have to drive to Ft. Walton. That was a pain, but it was only once a month.

Trader Joes

Trader Joe's or Whole Foods, I would prefer either to Fresh Market.

OK - I feel I need to stem the tide a bit - BUY LOCAL.

We don't need more chains or stores. Everything you need you can now get in SoWal. If we don't have it you don't need it. If you do need something exotic from afar, like plaid clothing, you can get it delivered to your door. The prices in SoWal may be a bit higher but you can save money on gas, and you are supporting our neighbors.

Even when grocery stores were farther away, didn't you go less often, saving time, hassle, and possibly money? I think it comes down to a psychological need to go somewhere and shop, to acquire things, to hunt and gather. Why else would someone make a long trip to Target 20 miles away to buy a blender, which by the way is most likely made in China. Please - stop the madness!

Go to For The Health Of It, Modica Market, Seagrove Market, Blue Mountain Liquors, Movies By The Sea, lillypads, Shops Of Grayton, Toni's Market, Big Daddy's, Wild Olives, Sally's By The Sea Store, Design, Gigi's, Perpetual Imagination, Sundog Books, Central Square Records, Fonville Press, Big Mama's, Yellowfin, Ono, Goatfeathers, . . . . the list goes on and on.

Why are we in such a hurry to make 98 in SoWal look like 98 in neighboring counties? The same goes for 331. Why does progress equal more choices and more places to spend money?

A final thought - if you feel a burning desire to spend your $600 government "see we're here to help" rebate, spend it local!

Bravo, Kurt! Yesterday, was my first visit to Target in the last four years. I went to the one at Pier Park and it was in the evening, so there weren't many people there. I needed some shorts as my shorts, are quickly wearing thin, and are gathering holes. I decided to make one loop through the entire store to see what everyone raves about. I'll give you this point, Target is a clean store, and the shoppers aren't the "get the heck out of my way mentality." However, I still noticed an very close resemblance to Wal-mart, minus a large grocery store. The clothes were not different, yet a little more pricey. Old Navy is still cheaper. Every item I picked up had a "made in China" label. I realize that I haven't been missing a thing by not shopping at Target.

That said, I would love to see a small Publix (WaterColor Publix size) in Freeport, because I simply cannot shop at Kelly's. I'd rather buy even my milk, at the gas station, and that isn't exciting at all.

OK - I feel I need to stem the tide a bit - BUY LOCAL.

We don't need more chains or stores. Everything you need you can now get in SoWal. If we don't have it you don't need it. If you do need something exotic from afar, like plaid clothing, you can get it delivered to your door.The prices in SoWal may be a bit higher but you can save money on gas, and you are supporting our neighbors.

A final thought - if you feel a burning desire to spend your $600 government "see we're here to help" rebate, spend it local!

I definitely agree that with the exception of clothing, a wide variety of good produce, and unique/random household/hardware items you can now get it all in Sowal. And I find that between Grand Boulevard, Destin Commons, and a visit to Target or Lowe's every couple of months, you're set!

Thank you, SJ and Sowalgayboi, for your continued love, support, and belief in the validity of my gossip.

It means a lot. (sniff)

I definitely agree that with the exception of clothing, a wide variety of good produce, and unique/random household/hardware items you can now get it all in Sowal. And I find that between Grand Boulevard, Destin Commons, and a visit to Target or Lowe's every couple of months, you're set!

I don't want anything in SoWal, but it is nice to have the stuff that I like availabel in Destin or PCB.

BTW Kurt, you need a decent blender to make those healthy smoothies.

Any one know any leasing information on the new publix?

To me, local encompasses everything from Hwy 231 in Panama City to the Marler Bridge in Destin.

It used to include Fort Walton Beach, but man it's a pain to get over there now.

Also, the kids don't hang out in SoWal. That honor currently goes to Destin Commons, which I have come to despise. Sometimes they run around Seaside, but to me, that's as exciting as having a rash.

I personally am thrilled to hear that we have a new Publix coming to 98 that is pretty close to me.

I was around before we had any grocery stores and when you work full time and have two hungry boys, having a grocery nearby is a huge convenience and time saver.

My main grocery store now is Publix/WaterColor but it is a royal pain in the you-know-what to go there during tourist season, especially when you shop like I need to. Having another Publix nearby to take the pressure off WaterColor Publix in high season will be wonderful. I bet the new one will become the "locals" grocery store.

I always try to buy local only because I hate to get off of 30A

I definitely agree that with the exception of clothing, a wide variety of good produce, and unique/random household/hardware items you can now get it all in Sowal. And I find that between Grand Boulevard, Destin Commons, and a visit to Target or Lowe's every couple of months, you're set!

I have no idea about clothes, and I won't get between women and what they wear (often), but you can open a new browser window and get clothes from anywhere in the world. I'm sure women have to try stuff on from time to time but that is just a bad habit.

What is a "unique/random household/hardware item"? If Frank's or Ace doesn't have it do you really need it? And if you do, you can also order it. There also is a wide variety of good produce at the stores I already mentioned but it may be a bit seasonal, which just means it's fresher.

Jdarg, my blender may have a broken button (who really needs "mix" when you have 8 other speeds?), and leak a little bit, but the motor is running strong and I am happy to spin it as long as it will allow me. Although the chip in the top of the pitcher worries me a little. Where'd the chip go? Still I like the fact that I can find one on the internet in 5 minutes that has good reviews, is made in America, cheaper than target, and is delivered to my door.

I have always loved Publix.

I have no idea about clothes, and I won't get between women and what they wear (often), but you can open a new browser window and get clothes from anywhere in the world. I'm sure women have to try stuff on from time to time but that is just a bad habit.

What is a "unique/random household/hardware item"? If Frank's or Ace doesn't have it do you really need it? And if you do, you can also order it. There also is a wide variety of good produce at the stores I already mentioned but it may be a bit seasonal, which just means it's fresher.

Jdarg, my blender may have a broken button (who really needs "mix" when you have 8 other speeds?), and leak a little bit, but the motor is running strong and I am happy to spin it as long as it will allow me. Although the chip in the top of the pitcher worries me a little. Where'd the chip go? Still I like the fact that I can find one on the internet in 5 minutes that has good reviews, is made in America, cheaper than target, and is delivered to my door.

I love ordering everything on line and having it delivered to mydoor...

Why are we in such a hurry to make 98 in SoWal look like 98 in neighboring counties? The same goes for 331. Why does progress equal more choices and more places to spend money?

Amen Kurt. Be careful what you ask for people, bring in some big stores and it suddenly becomes very convenient to live here so more people move in and provide customers for more big stores and before you know it WE are PC and Destin.
Growing up my folks ran a bait and tackle store. We sold sweatshirts that said "Englewood, the last unspoiled beach." People laugh but our only fast food was Burger QUEEN. It was not convenient living there but it sure was idylic. But one store after another, one housing development and condo after another and it has turned into just another stop on the highway.

Are you on their payroll? Publix is really nice but The Fresh Market serves those of us who want quality, not quantity, who want the best available when entertaining and hard to find items. However, Trader Joe's or Whole Foods would be the best! Yes, Kelly's is a sad excuse for a store but why does Freeport need more? I have had relatives in Freeport for generations and other than living there 100 years, who wants to live there?

I have no idea about clothes, and I won't get between women and what they wear (often), but you can open a new browser window and get clothes from anywhere in the world. I'm sure women have to try stuff on from time to time but that is just a bad habit.

What is a "unique/random household/hardware item"? If Frank's or Ace doesn't have it do you really need it? And if you do, you can also order it. There also is a wide variety of good produce at the stores I already mentioned but it may be a bit seasonal, which just means it's fresher.

Spoken like a man - y'all are spoiled by being the same size in every store/catalogue! ;-)

A unique/random household/hardware item is one of those strange items you need and that you will probably never have to buy again in your life, so oddly enough it isn't stocked at a small local store.

Trader Joe's blows and as much as I would love a Whole Foods....hah. It'll be a long while before we have the volume demographics to support one. Though I would drive an hour and a half once or twice a week to shop at a Whole Foods. I am extremely happy to have a Fresh Market in driving distance though I am phasing it out by mail ordering more and more. I did stop in For the Health of it to look around the other day. Very nice selection and I'll have to remember to go there first. I have terrible reactions to patchouli though.

I love ordering everything on line and having it delivered to mydoor...

Hey, I'm the QVC/Amazon/Lane Bryant queen. The UPS guy brings my stuff to the office, so I can smuggle it past Fuzz into the house.

btw, I need a tutorial in Multi-Quote. In the meantime, I'd like to point out, with a smile, to Kurt that Franks and Ace are not open on Sunday, which is when the honey-do jobs at my house get done. And also to CiaoBella - lots of people live in Freeport, and love it. When I lived over there, it was like having all that SoWal had to offer, without the hassle of mojo property tax and insurance. Except, now Freeport has the tax and insurance issues too.

Are you on their payroll? Publix is really nice but The Fresh Market serves those of us who want quality, not quantity, who want the best available when entertaining and hard to find items. However, Trader Joe's or Whole Foods would be the best! Yes, Kelly's is a sad excuse for a store but why does Freeport need more? I have had relatives in Freeport for generations and other than living there 100 years, who wants to live there?

OUCH! My wife grew up in Destin, she really had to adjust her perceptions when I moved her to Freeport!

But I love it- live on the water, can drop my boat in the water with the flip of a switch, and steam up a mess of blue crabs as soon as I empty them from the traps at my dock. Sure, we don't have big blue wayfinding signs or those architectural review boards to deal with, but I can go and shoot my gun in my yard if I feel like making a little noise, and I've never once been thrown out of the Lucky Star for drinking too much. As for Kelleys, where else can you go to get milk, bread, tampons and grocery store feet? And keep the money local...

Are you on their payroll? Publix is really nice but The Fresh Market serves those of us who want quality, not quantity, who want the best available when entertaining and hard to find items. However, Trader Joe's or Whole Foods would be the best! Yes, Kelly's is a sad excuse for a store but why does Freeport need more? I have had relatives in Freeport for generations and other than living there 100 years, who wants to live there?

As chrisv says, OUCH! Many people say the same thing about SoWal. No, I'm not on the Publix payroll. I just like Publix much more than Winn Dixie, Bruno's and Kelly's. Freeport has much to offer for a community, and with a little time, Freeport will have more of a centralized feeling of community than South Walton has. You don't have to open your pizza place in Freeport if you don't want to do so.

OUCH! My wife grew up in Destin, she really had to adjust her perceptions when I moved her to Freeport!

Is there another Destin, one that is a world renowned center of culture and the arts?

Is there another Destin, one that is a world renowned center of culture and the arts?

lol

Is there another Destin, one that is a world renowned center of culture and the arts?

Heehee! I'm not touching that one

Good suggestion by Kurt, my daughter found prices at the Santa Rosa pharmacy on non medical items, even freesbies to be very reasonable and she never had to get in her car. and did not have to drive on that scarey road, (98)