Publix

WOW! What a cool Publix, I’ll start by saying I typically enjoy the Publix experience but this one was quite exceptional. I usually go to the one by Abernathy and Roswell rd because it’s up the street from my house but I went to Target and this one was right next door so I decided to check it out.
One thing I didn’t care for was the parking situation but I don’t really blame that on Publix. It’s just really weird in that shopping center. I ended up parking in the garage and taking the stairs up to the grocery store which worried me because I wasn’t sure how I would get my cart back down to my car…
I walked into the store and was immediately greeted by someone at the Customer Service desk. That was awesome. She welcomed me, looked at me and even smiled at me as I charged in to grab my items. Not one of those welcomes where they say it but never look up at you.
I walked around the store and saw a couple of people that worked there and they each asked me how I was doing. When I was done. I went to the line and a gentleman actually unpacked my cart for me and then packed my groceries. He was pulled away and someone else swooped in to take my cart and show me to my car. He spoke to me the whole time and unloaded my items into my car. I felt bad because I didn’t have any cash and I’m not even sure if you’re allowed to tip them but I would have.
The whole time I was thinking IS THIS REAL LIFE?! I’m used to good service at Publix but these folks really went above and beyond. I didn’t just feel like a customer, I felt like their personal guests in their home. I come from a Customer Experience analyst background and I definitely took away some things that I’d like to see more often at my company. I’m not sure if their enthusiasm was genuine but it sure came off like it was. Kudos to everyone that worked on Saturday morning when I was running around preparing for a gathering at my house. You truly made me feel welcomed!

I shop at this location an average of once a week. It’s convenient and clean, but it is a smaller location so it often lacks items I’m looking for. The reason for 3 stars? The frequency at which I find expired items. Not occasionally, but frequently. Today it was a product that had expired 7 months ago. Not just one of that item, but all they had in stock. Unfortunately it’s the third time I’ve found the same product expired in the past 1 ½ years at this location. Why do I keep going back? Location and friendly people. But, i recommend watching those dates to anyone who shops there.

I’m a big fan of almost every employee I encounter at this Publix, with one exception. The younger guy at the deli counter who was extremely rude. Complete opposite of the other young guy at the same counter. If youve ever gotten a sub there, you would definitely know which kid I’m talking about. Other than that guy, I love this place.

LUV IT.
After a big manly meal at taco mac, we decided to walk off the calories in this Publix. We had like 30 minutes before closing time but the Publix employees were still very nice. As always, perfect customer service and a fun time hunting for BOGO items. We also found a table full of clearance items which was pretty cool.
My friend found an item that was half off and when we went to the register, it rang incorrectly… because of that, he was able to get that item for free to comp him for the inconvenience.
My my my … Publix never ceases to amaze me in great customer service.

So I have always thought that Publix was a nice store. I lived in Tampa for about 7 years and their stores were always nice but a little pricey. When I first moved here Publix was not here yet. I really didn’t shop at Publix much here until this store. It is in walking distance from my house so extremely convenient but I still wasn’t going that much but the convenience really got me going more. Then I got some coupons and started seeing some of their good bogo deals and just started shopping here more. I love the size of the store. It’s an easy in and out and parking is good. All in all it is just like a lot of stores. If you want good deals you have to look and shop sales. The big difference here is the customer service. Everyone is always so friendly and helpful.
Examples:
I bought some mahi and got charged the wrong price and didn’t realize it until I got home. I emailed and was told to come back into the store and I would be refunded the entire amount and they were apologetic. I didn’t think it was that big of a deal.

I have asked to break up packages in the meat department and they said no problem.
I needed to get a prescription filled and the pharmacist went out of her way to explain stuff and especially was helpful since I didn’t have my insurance card.
But mainly every time I go into this store I think every employee speaks to you and they are always asking if they can help. You never have to worry about finding something. They will tell you where it is. The cashiers will come around and unload your cart. They offer to take stuff to your car. It is all these little things that make people come back to a store
The only downside is because it is a smaller store the selection may not be as good as some other stores but for me it works great!

It really is a pleasure to shop here. I’m serious. Friendly staff, hassle-​free returns, really nice pharmacist, clean race-​car shopping carts, free cookies for kids (although that is sometimes a negative because whenever we go they’re always begging for one), the whole store is very clean and bright and spacious.
Negative: a few times I’ve gotten bakery items on sale that really should have been thrown out because they were stale. But I was able to return them with no problem.

This Publix is proof that not all Publix stores are created equal. Also, it raises the question of what is the plural form of Publix? Is it Publixes? Publixae? Not sure on that one.
Anyway, this is wierd but I actually live a lot closer to a different Publix, the one on Peachtree at the Peach and I’ve written a review for that one too and it wasn’t nearly as high as this one. Why you ask? Great question, I thought you’d never ask. Here’s why.
1. Everyone at this one is super duper friendly. Not just super friendly, but the duper counts too. Not sure what a duper is but just go with me on this one.
2. The bakery always has a great selection of pies, cakes, cookies and other fun stuff out. If I ask for something they’re super duper friendly (see, there’s that duper word again, get used to it) and everything seems fresh.
3. They really do a great job of making you feel super duper special (I admit I threw that one in just to be egregious. It won’t happen again I swear).
So what the heck is the downside you ask? Well, it is a smaller store so there’s not as much shelf space as a larger store. That’s just basic math right? They’re pretty good about helping you out though if you can’t find what you’re looking for or they don’t have it and they do have usually about 85−90% of what I need anyway. Those aren’t bad odds really, I’d go to Vegas with that!
Oh, the customer mix is different too. I think there’s a lot more families who shop here. The one in Buckhead I see a lot of older people and folks with too much money and not enough manners. That’s important because your customer mix is going to impact the product mix at the store. Actually I’m sort of making that up, but it sounds like it would make sense doesn’t it?
The point is that there’s definately a different vibe to this store than some of the other Publix stores I go into, especially the ones in Buckhead. It just seems so much nicer, relaxed, laid back and peaceful here. I feel like I could start meditating in the soup aisle and it would almost be socially acceptable. So if you’re between a couple of Publix (es?) and you can’t decide between them, or god forbid you’re actually considering a Kroger, pick this one, its a happy place!

Publix: I will forever love you for those clever holiday ads. You’re a quality grocery store. Plus you have awesome produce, bakery items, and the freshest made-​to-​order sandwiches this side of the Perimeter.
This particular location, giving its prime location on Roswell Road next to 285, could improve on a few items. There’s not nearly enough street parking and its a pain to have to wheel my cart into the parking deck. It’s easier to get in-​and-​out of the Kroger up the street… and Kroger is less expensive. I also wish Publix would have a better wine selection at Trader Joe’s prices. But I can’t have all my Publix bakery cake and eat it too.

Aside from the fact that I am a fan of just about every Atlanta-​area Publix location that I have been to, I am a fan of this location based upon most of the staff and on the quality of both the products and the store itself. I have always received consistent and efficient service here; whether I was shopping here the afternoon before Christmas or on a lazy Tuesday morning in June, I have always been attended to in a timely and friendly fashion.
I rarely ever need assistance in the deli or bakery, but there has been an employee or two in the bakery that are generally pleasant. Regarding the deli, I certainly do not avoid it, but nobody has ever seemed so welcoming there that I felt compelled to step up and really have a look at what they had to offer. While roaming the aisles, which might be a little smaller and have a slightly more limited selection than other locations, I do not feel like I run into as many Publix team members as I do at other locations, but I certainly do not feel like this has in any way detracted from my shopping success. Though I would not call it extensive, I am also happy to see that they have some kind of craft beer selection and that they are not using their size or their proximity to competitors as an excuse to stock a more restricted beer department.
As a last impression before leaving the clean aisles, restrooms and displays is the front-​end team. Only on very rare occasions have I felt uncomfortable or unwelcome during a transaction at check-​out and it has been my experience that the management/​supervisory staff is more than willing to ring at customer service if the registers are tied-​up or just busy. Shoot, even a fair few of the front-​end team members, who have only ever helped to bag my groceries, have impressed me with their kindness and their eagerness to help customers with their groceries. Regardless of the weather or how busy/​slow things were inside, none of these employees have ever fallen short in their efforts to make each guest feel welcome and valued. Members of the management team have even stopped in the middle of store walks or other duties to ask if they could get me a larger cart (I tend to overflow my basket) or help me track down a particular item.
Though the Publix near to my apartment is still my primary grocery stop, the Prado location comes in as a close second and never fails me in my shopping quests. Only twice have I been truly frustrated here and only once have I been offended/​let-​down while shopping here… and I have been here quite a bit!

I love the size of this Publix. It’s not crammed full of stuff, and it’s not an overwhelming massive space. I don’t have a problem finding what I need.
I do like that they have a bigger selection of Hispanic goods, I wanted powdered whole milk for baking (it’s like the MSG of the baking world) and that was not a problem. My mom could only find the nonfat kind at the Publix by her.
It doesn’t have everything, sure, but everything I’ve ever needed has been covered. except the one time they were out of rotisserie chickens and I had to go back to Whole Foods, but it was the night of the super bowl, so maybe they were somehow popular fare for parties… or something.
Everyone who works here is really nice, though this one cashier makes me feel really awkward but I work to avoid. I have been complimented for cooking my own food, and today my obvious chili ingredients led to a discussion of the weather. though I know weather is the topic you always turn to when there’s nothing else to say, it seemed far more genuine than that.
In fact, I really love the people who work here. When I was here last week, an older woman tripped and fell about 8 feet from me. I only caught it out of the corner of my eye, and before I had even realized what happened, 3 employees were there with her, helping her up and making sure she was okay. If that’s not awesome in a world of crappy service, I don’t know what is.

What I love about this Publix is the service! Everyone from the cashiers to deli people to bag boys are so friendly. The skinny black cashier with bleached hair especially is a gem.
It’s located in the Prado shopping center, so it’s easy to access and parking is plentiful. The prices are a little higher than the Kroger down the street on Roswell, but it’s such a pleasant atmosphere that it keeps me going back!

I was almost in tears cranky and exhausted. Then my tummy rumbled and I realized the vast majority of my emotional imbalance was likely due to low blood sugar. But it was 9 on a Saturday night, I was scuzzy and smelly, and I wanted something semi-​healthy, veg friendly, and *fast.* What to do?
An effing Publix sub. Genius.
Given the late hour the deli was a little sad and picked over, but Cedric was awesome enough to slice up some goodies fresh for me and the beau. While he worked, I found an awesome freebie recipe book, nabbed some raspberries on super sale for dessert, and got some Chex Mix to pop open on the drive home, because yes… I was that hungry.
When I got home, my sandwich hit the spot and took almost all the grumpies away. That’s all a girl can ask for.
I like this Publix as I think it’s the right size between the super small (like the one on W Peachtree) to the too-​huge ones I’ve seen OTP. I love Publix’s store brand, their always friendly customer service, and their clean, well-​lit stores. Yep, I’m a fan!

This Publix at The Prado is not like other Publix stores. It’s fairly new, but it seems like management has given up on this store. It’s quite small, so trying to locate foods is frustrating. For instance, the Hispanic/​Mexican foods are in at least three different areas (maybe more, I don’t know.) They don’t have a lot of selection. I went in with several coupons that I cut out of a Publix circular – they had none of the products featured in the coupons. For one product, the customer service person said I could select a similar product, for the others, he just shrugged his shoulders. The produce section is terrible. I’ve never seen so much rotten and rotting produce in a grocery store. Mangos, squash, peaches, blueberries, lettuce – they were mushy and moldy. It was sad to see all of that food wasted. The one bright spot at this store is the staff. They were friendly (except for the shrug at customer service) and did offer to help locate groceries for me; they must be used to customers not being able to find what they need.

I love this Publix, mainly because it’s so close to my house and it’s bright and shiny and new. Also, when it first opened, I couldn’t set more than 3 feet in the door without being warmly greeted by every employee in sight. It reminded me a little of the stores in Japan, where every employee yelled greetings across the store.
Even though this store isn’t terribly large, they have pretty much everything I need. Their produce section is stocked with fresh items, some of the best quality in the area. They’ve even got items that Kroger doesn’t have, like Indian simmer sauces, and their Mexican section carries just as many options, including Mexican Coke. I also like that they mix the organic and natural items in with the other items, rather than segregating them, and then mark them with a brown tag so that you know they’re natural/​organic. That way I can compare the price and choose that option more easily, if so inclined.
Their prices are higher on some items, but I get the Publix brand on most items when they have it as an option, and its usually quite good, particularly the organic salsa, the light chocolate soy milk, and the ginger snaps.
Unfortunately for me, the car seat doesn’t fit all that well in their buggies, so I have to either wedge it sideways in the top seat or carry the little one in the infant carrier instead of the seat. I’m looking forward to a few years down the road when he can sit in the buggies shaped like cars.
Also — sign up for the Publix Baby Club, and they’ll send you a free copy of «Caring for Your Baby and Young Child» from the American Academy of Pediatrics ($ 13 on amazon, $ 22 MSRP), plus new coupons every few months for diapers, wipes, food, and even free cocoa butter and isopropyl alcohol!
#Yelp365 — ⁷⁵⁄₃₆₅

I’m just not a Publix girl. The way they arrange their stores makes no sense to me (ask me about the time I had to find refried beans at this store!), and the prices are way too high. Give me Kroger any day.
But, okay, I didn’t come here just to bash on Publix for being Publix. No, I would probably have given this location three stars for being convenient and reasonably clean. So why the two stars? The deli department!
I went here to get a sub for lunch, and the woman making my sandwiches was SO RUDE. I was honestly a bit flabbergasted. First of all, she insisted on making two sandwiches at the same time, apparently to get the massive line out of there quicker (there were two people in line not being helped — me and the woman in front of me — some line, huh?). Then, she INTERROGATED me about my sandwich. «MEAT???» Um… turkey. «CHEESE?!» Uh… «???» Swiss.
Oh, and when I asked for swiss, not knowing they were apparently out of pre-​cut slices, the woman heaved a big aggravated sigh and trundled off to the deli case to get more cheese, like I was doing her some kind of personal injustice. Geez, I’m sorry for asking for swiss.
«KIND OF TOPPINGS YOU WANT?!» Well, um, because she was making two sandwiches at once, I couldn’t see into the toppings case. So I made the mistake of asking. «ONIONSLETTUCEOLIVESTOMATO. TOPPINGS???». Sheesh.
She was equally rude to her coworker. Sure, the other woman was making sandwiches more slowly than she was, but that’s still no reason to shove in front of her and kick her off the scale.
If I had seen a manager on my way out, I’d have said something about it. I honestly felt terrorized the entire time I was trying to order my sandwich.