Waycross #2 - Waycross, GA | Publix #456 - Savannah, GA
Waycross #2
Sing Food Store | Deli
Waycross, GA 31501
Former Flash Foods #176 | Circle K #5085
Scroll Down for my More Than Convenience post on Publix #456
Hey there, welcome back to the blog; furthermore, happy election day! It's hard to believe that this day is finally upon us, and in case you wish to drown out the noise of Republican or Democrat, Harris or Trump, this is the perfect place to spend your evening. Henceforth, the only red and blue you'll see here are on the Sing Oil Company logo, so buckle up and join me on this adventure!
You may remember me mentioning that I've been busy over the last few weeks (thus why my publication date was delayed yet again), and one of those line-items was a trip to Savannah. I realized that it has close to 15 years since I last saw Georgia's oldest city, so I jumped on the opportunity to spend some extra time in the area after my work was finished. Likewise, today's MTC section will include one of the seven supermarkets I visited that weekend, despite not being all that close to today's former Sing Store.
Part of me hates to admit how I planned out most of my stops the week before I departed, yet I almost forgot about the old Waycross Sing's existence until I nearly passed it by! That goes to show where my mind has been lately, but at least I remembered before it was too late. After all, it has been 13 years since I last saw Waycross.
|
| Courtesy Charles Burgess, Jr (Flickr) - CSX Q441 in Waycross, GA - April 2016 |
Speaking of Waycross, it's worth noting how the town has been defined by its proximity to the railroads. I asked friend & railfan Charles Burgess to write a bit about the municipality, and he sent back the following:
"Waycross is literally a train town. In 1874, the name was changed from Tebeauville to Waycross signifying that six different railWAYs CROSSed through the city.
The city is home to Rice Yard which is the largest railroad classification yard in the Southeast and the busiest on the CSX system. Around 2,800 rail cars a day are sorted at the 850 acre facility which stretches 4.5 miles along US 84 just west of downtown. CSX operates a car repair shop, locomotive heavy repair facility, and locomotive paint booth inside Rice Yard.
CSX trains haul containers, truck trailers, automobiles, rock, coal, phosphate, ethanol, and general freight on the 45+ train movements seen in town each day. Train enthusiasts are able to watch the trains coming into town from New York, Chicago, and Florida in person or through the two cameras operated by the Virtual Railfan site that can be accessed from their phone, computer, or smart TV.
Even with a nicely restored depot in downtown and rail lines that go in every direction, passengers cannot catch a train in Waycross as Amtrak left town during a large route cutback in 1979."
I, for one, didn't know about these train livestreams, but they make sense given that there are eagle cameras, DOT cameras, New Orleans nightlife cameras, and even cameras dedicated to wooden snowmen. I suppose we can all get a taste of what life is like in these far-fetched places this day in age!
|
| Courtesy Charles Burgess, Jr (Flickr) - Former Harveys #2326 / #1614 - June 2013 |
As I drove through town, I passed a building which used to house one of the local Harveys Supermarkets for decades (as photographed by Charles above). This store originally was built for Colonial Stores / Big Star, and likely resembled the old Thomasville location we toured a few months ago. It now houses a community action agency and has a nice mural on the wall facing Carswell Avenue.
Despite losing this Harveys during the bankruptcy purge of 2018, Waycross held onto the store's larger sibling located just a few blocks away until the 2021 sale to Food Lion.
|
| Courtesy Charles Burgess, Jr (Flickr) - Former Harveys #2319 / #1610 - June 2013 |
This particular Harveys began its life as a Piggly Wiggly Southern store and remained such until 1996 / 1997 when Bruno's decided to sell off it and 41 other stores thanks to trying financial times. I'd imagine that was the same transaction where Harveys picked up other former Bruno's stores like the Thomasville FoodMax.
Last on the list of supermarkets is the former Food Lion #689 situated directly behind the former Sing –another spectacular location for Delhaize. That store opened on December 14, 1988, and lasted until the company's big closure round in 2012.
Then Mayor Clarence Billups is paraphrased in saying that, "The store off Riverside Avenue in northeast Waycross is off the beaten retail path but it anchors a shopping center that has a Rite Aid, Dollar General store and a Chinese restaurant."
The article continues to say, "In the 1990s, long before he was mayor, Billups and John Fluker, his predecessor in office, were among a group that fought the opening of the shopping center on the edge of an African-American neighborhood. Billups, Fluker and other black community leaders argued that the increased traffic would harm the peace of the residential community.
It turns out there wasn't enough traffic and Billups said he has heard no complaints about the shopping center in years."
At least I'm not the only one to think that Food Lion picked a lot of odd and slow locations during the late-1980's and early-1990's!
Circling back to Sing, the former South Georgia oil company operated an outpost in Waycross long before the convenience store on Tebeau Street opened.
Waycross #1
Sing Dealer Station
Waycross, GA 31501
The earliest mention I have found of Sing in Waycross is from these 1960's photos in my collection (notice the 1963 Pontiac Bonneville behind the watermark). I'd have to guess that this small service station on the 600 block of Plant Avenue dates back to the 1940's based on its non-standard design and singular pump island.
It's worth noting how the Sing and adjacent City Coffee Shop were open 24 hours a day, likely due to their prominent placements on cosigned US Highways 1, 23, and 82. Waycross' central location between Valdosta & Brunswick on Highway 84, Tifton & Savannah on Highway 82, Jacksonville & Macon on Highway 23, and Jacksonville & Augusta on Highway 1 meant that the train town also saw lots of automobile travelers heading to Florida or the Golden Isles in the days before the Interstate Highway System.
I always enjoy looking through these old Sing photographs not only for a look at the old service stations, but also to catch a glimpse of what life was like in the surrounding area. Take a look at the streamline train graphic on the billboard above the Murson Hotel and the Gulf, Pure, and American signs off in the distance!
Turning back toward the Southwest, I love how this photo showcases the older, 1940's style of highway signs for US 1, US 23, and GA 38. Contrast that with the newer signage for US 84 and GA 122 off in the distance to get a nice portrayal of the two eras.
Surprisingly, most of this stretch of Plant Avenue now sits vacant as buildings have been torn down over the years. I wonder why that is?
Sing Oil Company carried out progress of its own by constructing a new service station during the mid-1960's; coincidentally, this building deviated from Sing's typical shingled roof design from the era, opting instead for a boxier look.
We can also see the circa 1936 Rubin Brothers shoe factory ominously looming in the distance . . .
The oil company began to use the blue "diamond" logo visible on the sign post around 1964, yet the gas pumps here still feature the plain round icon. Likewise, I would guess this set of photos was taken some time around 1965.
I love the seafoam green color of that 1961 Ford Ranch Wagon as well (the great thing about 1960's cars is how body styles changed with every model year). Just look at how somebody fit an entire Jon boat in the trunk!
Pictured above is Harry Davis, the station's dealer. According to Joe Davis, Sr., former transportation and logistics manager for Sing, Harry came from Thomas County around Meigs. He had a son, Harry, Jr., who ran the convenience store on Tebeau Street until he went on vacation and a lot of money went missing. The story goes that he couldn't cover the losses, so he left his job.
I wish I knew the names of the other people photographed; however, that information is seemingly lost to time. What I do know is that the man in the green was either the pump attendant or possibly the station manager.
The original Waycross Sing seemingly closed around the time the Tebeau Street convenience store opened because a 1981 article describes how the property was sold to Rubin Brothers Footwear to serve as an entrance to the aforementioned factory.
|
| The Waycross Journal-Herald (Google News) - March 2, 1977 |
Speaking of Waycross #2, that store began its construction in 1977, as noted by the local newspaper. I unfortunately couldn't find any information on grand opening festivities, and the first ad I discovered is dated February 23, 1980.
|
| Waycross Journal-Herald (Google Books) - February 23, 1980 |
Convenience stores are no stranger to crime, but this store had an extremely busy start to the 1980's. The Sing already had $9 worth of gas stolen in May 1980 and an armed robbery by June of that year, with another attempt at shoplifting happening in August. The June robbery case went to trial in January 1981, and both suspects were found guilty by a jury of their peers for the armed theft of $20.
These incidents were joined by a 1983 attempted robbery in the parking lot and several other events I didn't even mention. Was this just a rough neighborhood?
|
| Waycross Journal-Herald (Google Books) - February 25, 1982 |
Anyhow, this store also went from struggling to get gasoline in 1979 (thanks, Iran!) to experiencing dramatic price drops in 1982.
According to USA Today, the average price of gas rose from 36¢ a gallon in 1970 to a whopping $1.19 a gallon in 1980. It is crazy how the price tripled in the matter of a decade, and I suppose any drop in price was a welcome change for the locals.
|
| Waycross Journal-Herald (Google Books) - June 19, 1986 |
Those price drops still didn't put the station out of business because by 1986, it boasted, "The Newest & Most Innovative Car Wash in Waycross!" next door. Despite the Sing sign in the photo above, I think the car wash may have been owned and operated by a third party who simply saw a business opportunity that was more than convenient. It seems like the days of washing your own car have largely dried up, and most car washes like this have been replaced by the infamous "tunnels" that are popping up everywhere.
|
| Courtesy Shun J. (Foursquare) - September 16, 2012 |
Jumping to 2012, we see that Flash Foods had taken full control of the store all while selling gas for $1 more a gallon than you can find today.
|
| Courtesy Shun J. (Foursquare) - October 14, 2012 |
We'll wrap up the history section with this photo of pump #2 at former Waycross #2 from 2012. This seems like the perfect time to mention that Foursquare has announced it will discontinue its city guide platform early in 2025, meaning I have a huge task in front of me to save off any historic photos I many need for future posts. Why can't anything on the web be permanent!
Situated on the corner of Tebeau Street, Dorothy Street, and Riverside Avenue, this location is the epitome of Sing's preference toward choosing secondary streets in the midst of residential areas. Likewise, nearby neighbors still include a diverse set of properties, including the Waycross Housing Authority, Lott Cemetery, Music Funeral Home, Memorial Satilla Hospital, and several churches. It seems like people are dying to come to the neighborhood.
I, for one, was very much alive when I stopped in, but was still uncertain of what I was getting myself into since I didn't know the area.
As I approached the store, I noticed some minor damage to the pump canopy remaining from Hurricane Helene which made sense considering that the eastern side of the storm's eye was where much of the strength was concentrated. It was really crazy to see the number of downed trees and power lines still present along my drive into town.
I have to wonder whether or not this station originally featured a column-supported awning across the front like most other 1970's Sings. Flash Foods could have easily modified the façade following the 1992 purchase from Amoco, but I have also seen several other Sing Stores from the late-1970's and early-1980's which currently lack this trait as well.
I did, however, spot the familiar wood paneling lining the bottom portions of this store's window frames.
Walking inside, I was greeted by a surprising number of friendly people – I can't remember the last time I've had three genuinely cordial interactions with strangers in such a short time. I've noticed how folks in smaller towns tend to be much warmer and sincere than those in big cities, and that's an aspect of rural Southern culture I genuinely appreciate.
This tour is the first time we've seen Circle K's newest interior on the blog, which comes as a relief to me considering how many photos I've had to take of the previous décor package. While simple in execution, I like how most of the walls have texture now rather than just being painted white. This design is also much more inviting than Circle K's really old look, which featured a black ceiling and diamond-plate accents everywhere.
In addition to a beer cave, this store had a seemingly popular display of Fireball Cinnamon (with Natural Whiskey & Other Flavors) buckets for $20. I wondered how convenience and grocery stores get away with selling Fireball outside of a package store, but it turns out the Fireball seen here isn't whiskey at all. Regardless, that bucket sounds like one heck of a spicy hangover waiting to happen . . . No, thank you!
Anybody need a pack of gum from the floor?
How about some wiper fluid to wash away your sorrows?
Would you rather press your luck on one of the gambling machines to my left, or on the quality of the coffee from the machine just beyond?
I didn't know Circle K sold jumbo pretzels! Anyhow, these food offerings seem like a big step down from Sing's deli selection back in the 1980's.
One thing Sing didn't have, though, was a display of Kratom. I don't exactly know what the product is or what the product does, but something makes me weary about ingesting an unregulated pharmaceutical purchased from a gas station bathroom hallway.
This store also had one of the newfangled self-checkouts I've seen popping up at other Circle Ks. While neat in principal every time I've seen one, an employee still had to intervene to complete the transaction. Just let me buy my pack of gum and move on with my life!
Back outside and just to the right of the store, we find the only obvious Sing relic: the old air and vacuum light. At least something has managed to survive after all these years!
Oh, and we see the old car wash further to the right. It looks like it has been a few years since the wash was in proper working order . . .
It has been a very long time since I've washed my car at a place like this (and had to think about running over to the machine to add another quarter before the time ran out). Do other people still use these, or has the convenience of the tunnel simply washed away the need for self-service?
I'll let y'all ruminate on that question while we check out some old street views of this station. Don't forget to keep on scrolling to learn about the Publix at Wilmington Island!
Street Views
Google Street View - February 2008
Google Street View - October 2012
Google Street View - October 2023
Aerial Views
|
|
|
Historic Aerials - 1969
Future site of Waycross Sing
|
|
|
|
Historic Aerials - 1983 Newly built Waycross #2 station |
|
|
Google Earth - February 1993 Flash Foods #176 in former Waycross #2 Sing |
|
|
Google Earth - February 1999 Flash Foods #176 with new gas pump canopy |
|
|
Google Earth - February 2024 Circle K #5085 in former Flash Foods / Waycross #2 Sing |
Additional Resources:
Parcel ID: WA1604 138
If I Could Turn Back Time
Publix #456
Publix at Wilmington Island
Savannah, GA 31410
Now that we've sang our way through the decades in Waycross, let's jump right to the bridge while I Cher with you a store I've wanted to see for many years: Publix at Wilmington Island.
Located across the Wilmington River from Savannah proper, Wilmington Island is a small, well-to-do suburb of roughly 15,000 people.
A local described it to me as, "very residential," with a, "big mix of middle class houses and upper class houses." She went on to say that, "The island provides all basic commodities so you could in theory never leave and still have all your needs met."
From an outsider's view, that is apparent considering how there is not only this Publix, but also a Kroger, a bank, and an Ace Hardware in addition to several schools, churches, and restaurants. Adjacent Whitemarsh Island adds to the amenities with a Walmart, YMCA, and another Publix.
Turning back the clock, this supermarket first opened its doors on November 15th, 1993, as Georgia's eleventh Publix and the second in the Savannah area.
|
| Courtesy SAGIS - December 2009 |
The signage on the outside wasn't the only place you could find tropical turquoise at the time. Nope, the whole reason this blog exists can be summed up by the following interior shots from Publix #456:
|
| Savannah Morning News - August 27, 2007 |
Publix stores were a pastel coral and teal wonderland during the 1990's and 2000's, with all of those bright colors really coming to life in these 2007 photos from The Savannah Morning News. Scenes like this are why I have since unintentionally associated those aforementioned colors with the Publix brand and why an innocent search query for a 1990's Publix lead to me recollecting some of my deepest memories.
|
| Savannah Morning News - August 27, 2007 |
As for why these photos exist, they were taken to tell the story of Comfort Serwah, "a 48-year-old native of Ghana in west Africa, [who] came to Savannah with her two sons 'to start a new life,' in late 1996."
The article goes on to say that, "Comfort Serwah wears a perpetual smile . . . Not because she has to, but because she really enjoys her job as a cashier at the Publix at Wilmington Island.
'I like it because this is all I know,' Comfort said.
Her customers agree.
|
| Savannah Morning News - August 27, 2007 |
'Everybody just loves her,' said Don Thigpen, a Wilmington Island retiree who has shopped at the Publix for years. 'They just want to get in her line.'"
Comfort moved to Savannah in pursuit of her dream of becoming a nurse, but ended up having to change plans since she did not drive. She began working part-time at Publix and McDonald's while gaining her citizenship. Working her way up from bagger to full-time cashier, Comfort quickly left a positive impression on most everybody she encountered.
"Carmela Hall, administrative coordinator at the Publix, said Comfort's work with customers and fellow workers has been 'just awesome.'
Customers 'just love her to death. They just come in an [sic] ask for her. When she's not here, they're always looking for her.'"
|
| Savannah Morning News - August 27, 2007 |
The article truly is heartwarming, and I've heard friends from the area attest to Comfort's kindness and impact on the community. According to WSAV, she still works at Publix, too, and offers shoppers just as much joy as she did back in 2007.
I have to say that I crack up every time I see this photo because it looks like Comfort is shaking that spaghetti squash and trying to hear it rattle!
Anyhow, these photos of Comfort provide an excellent and rare glimpse into a Publix from the 1990's. From the old-style checkout lights to the pops of bright colors throughout the store, we can really see how things have changed over the last 17 years.
|
| Courtesy PepsiCo Team (Flickr) - January 2011 |
We also know by now that change doesn't happen all at once. Thanks to photos from the PepsiCo Team, we see this store's next "look" which toned things down a bit and lasted from roughly 2008-2014.
|
| Courtesy PepsiCo Team (Flickr) - January 2011 |
The White Mountain walls and teal awnings gave way to Antique White with Invigorate accents at the customer service desk while the navy and teal aisle markers were given a fresh coat of olive & off-white paint.
|
| Courtesy PepsiCo Team (Flickr) - January 2011 |
Don't you miss when Publix still served free coffee like we see to the left? It has also been a long time since I've witnessed a dedicated GreenWise organic food section like this store had on the opposite side of the registers.
|
| Courtesy mtlb (Instagram) - Publix #521 (Island Towne Centre) - June 2014 |
While not a photo of the Wilmington Island store, this picture of sister store #521, just 3 miles away, shows how the dairy aisle looked with the Invigorate décor package.
|
| Courtesy Steve S. (Foursquare) - Publix #521 (Island Towne Centre) - June 2013 |
My guess is that #456 on Wilmington Island & #521 on Whitemarsh Island both underwent a remodel within a few months of each other in either late-2014 or early-2015. Despite this, it is surprising how #456 received the Bamboo interior while #521 instead got Sienna. The latter store likewise underwent a more thorough remodel which included all new refrigeration equipment and additional tile work. Had #456 received more incremental updates over the years which resulted in Publix not wanting to spend the extra money? Is #456 a lower volume store?
Island Towne Centre is most definitely on a busier road, but I would have to imagine that Wilmington Island has more of a captive audience to fuel sales. In the end, I've never stepped foot in the former to provide an accurate judgement.
What I do know is that both stores returned to remodel parity around 2021 when they received fresh coats of Evergreen paint.
Something about a store surrounded by live oak trees makes it feel much more approachable; even better than that, look at how nearly every parking space is in the shade!
This store is also one of the only occasions I can think of where the Publix is in a standalone building without any adjacent tenants. It really caught me off guard to not see some sort of hair stylist, nail salon, Asian restaurant, or pet store attached to the supermarket.
It is also always interesting to take a closer look at these Publix façades from the 1990's because no two ever seem to match. I love the rafter tails and pergola accents because they really give this store a homey feel.
I wish architects could be creative with commercial building design this day in time because this store looks so cool!
Who is BI-LO? Since when did Whole Foods offer coupons?
I'm always fascinated by the competitors listed on the "We accept coupons" poster just inside the store because the companies listed can range from a single entry (Food Lion or Winn-Dixie) to a whole army as we see here. The thing is, I'd love to see somebody try to use a BI-LO coupon this day in time considering how the supermarket ceased to exist in 2021.
In retrospect, it seems that Publix designed these stores to be shopped counter-clockwise from right to left; however, in the hundreds of times I've stepped foot inside a 40N, the location of an open parking spot outside has largely determined my direction of travel in the store. Moreover, I decided to give this tour in reverse from how I chose to shop it several weeks ago.
As we can see to the left, Publix uses this side of the sales floor to display seasonal items and pharmaceuticals while the other side is reserved for greeting cards.
This store has held a pharmacy license since October 21, 1993, indicating that the department has almost certainly been located in this "multipurpose nook" since the beginning. Likewise, it is interesting to see how Publix originally installed a partition wall between the counter and the two adjacent grocery aisles rather than leaving the space open like they did with the pharmacy addition in #476. I wonder if #456 ever had the mirrored ceiling, as well, or if that was just reserved for stores that had snacks, drinks, or floral in the nook.
Turning around, we find the most recognizable feature of a late-1980's or early-1990's Publix: the faux skylight over the registers. Light boxes may seem dated in principal but the way this one fits with the rest of the store design and follows the gradual ceiling height transition to the second floor offices makes it feel like it belongs. It truly makes the front end of these stores brighter and more open, while seemingly acting as if it were to prepare shoppers to exit into the hot Georgia sunshine (just like Jitney Jungle).
Moving into aisle 1, we find dairy products joined by cold beer in refrigerated cases that are likely from the mid-2000's based on their grey and white color palette.
Originally, cold beer was located on aisle 13 in these 40,000 sq ft stores but was moved to aisle 1 as part of Publix' once-a-decade department shuffle. After all, shoppers buy more when they can't find what they were originally looking for!
Pre-packaged lunch meats are found in a small cooler sandwiched between two stockroom doors in the back right corner. I always remember this space being home to eggs and bacon . . .
. . . but those items are found just around the corner on the back wall. The deli is just beginning to come into view off in the distance.
Aisle 2 is home to baby products, socks, and some additional pharmaceutical items that spilled over from the multipurpose nook.
Aisle 3 is the first to fall under the raised ceiling spanning the center of the store and offers shoppers the chance to pick up international & canned foods.
It's a shame that Publix had to paint all of the wood trim accents white because they really used to pop in the original coral & teal. Not that pastel colors would fit in with the rest of the store today, but we could have at least seen some Evergreen green and Agreeable Gray used here.
Speaking of those two colors, they, along with a touch of Black Fox, are just what we find decking out the shed roof awnings lining the perimeter of the sales floor.
Aisle 4 is home to sports drinks and crackers, but no longer features a decorative banner hanging over the center (you can see the vacant rods suspended from the ceiling).
We find the deli in a familiar alcove in the back of the store, just as it had been for decades in other Publixes before this store opened.
If you look closely at the photo above, you may be able to see the three bands of tile with darker grout lines behind the bottom of the Boar's Head sign. All of the service departments originally featured a design like this to match the trim over the grocery department that Publix has subsequently removed, presumably during the 2008 remodel.
It's interesting how Publix used wood framing for the shed roofs in these smaller 1990's stores because they shifted to metal for the larger designs. The 40N stores like this are also the only place we find double shed roofs seen above.
|
| Publix #440 - 1993 - 2002 Remodel - Interior Elevation |
Speaking of those decorative accents, they originally featured a louvered panel running above to drive the tropical Floridian theme home.
|
| Store #405 - 1991 - Bamboo - May 2023 |
I stand by my assertion that stores which opened with "bland" interior packages from the 1990's and 2000's end up looking really nice with Evergreen since they were never intended to have a lot of color on the walls. It wasn't until Invigorate / "Classy Market 2.0" was released in 2006 when Publix began to scale back the added architectural elements and focus instead on numerous bright paint colors covering the store. The tides of supermarket design shift as the decades pass, and it seems like the pendulum has once again swung back to the side of "less is more".
This store opened with a grand total of two paint colors on the walls, meaning that other accents were required to add depth and visual interest to the space. If those accents manage to survive 30+ years into the Evergreen era, they end up looking nice decked out in grey and green.
You don't know how many hours of my life I've spent standing in this exact spot (albeit, in a different Publix) waiting for sliced deli meat. I remember when Publix tried to speed up the process by installing this number queue system, but then entirely abandoned the scheme in favor of the anarchy which once reigned supreme. I was honestly surprised that this store still had the ticket dispenser (and wish I had checked it for tickets).
Before exotic cheeses were commonplace in supermarkets, I seem to remember Publix selling bottles of sweet tea and lemonade in the cooler to the right.
Now those products find themselves relegated to the "Cool It. Chill Out. Take It Easy." endcap refrigerators that are less and less common to encounter.
Spinning a 180, we find the department sign for "Meats" above a brand new set of coolers installed during the Evergreen remodel.
Back in the grocery aisles, we find where #7 is home to cereals and other breakfast items.
Beginning with aisle 8, the grocery aisles extend further toward the back of the store into space originally reserved for coffin freezer cases. You can see the trench in the terrazzo floor from the old refrigerant lines as well.
Looking toward aisle 11, we find bread, jellies, and soft drinks: swap bread for snacks (which are one aisle over) and this is just as I remember.
The small butcher window can be seen just to our right, followed by the seafood counter and produce department.
Aisle 13 is now entirely home to frozen foods, but once hosted cold beer as well. Notice the tan cases used here, which are inevitably from this store's Bamboo remodel circa 2014. I wonder how Publix decides when to replace certain pieces of equipment because we've already seen items from 3 different eras.
I remember when it was such a big deal that my local Publix started offering sushi – now it is just another mundane thing I scarcely pay attention to.
Since this store lost its extra freezers along the back aisle, it gained the set of cases to my left featuring Bubba Burgers and whole turkeys. There's a chance that floral was originally here, but that seemed to vary by store.
We'll take one last look over the meat department where you can see several of the scars in the flooring from the old freezers. I'm sure removing those helped to relieve a lot of congestion.
I was shocked to find this refrigerated case still in place because Publix moved toward ones that match the other rolling produce cases over a decade ago. This thing is no newer than 2008 and may even date back to the store's opening in 1993.
The juice case appears to be another new installation from the recent remodel considering how it is the only refrigerator I've seen with doors on it.
If you'll notice the cut produce window to the right, that is something I rarely see used in modern times. The 45M may also be the last holdout to still be constructed with this feature.
That's a berry nice picture! If it weren't for that old man blocking the floral sign . . .
That's better! Oh wait, I didn't get the produce sign in it.
Finally, we can see the Evergreen Gen 1 produce square and the floral sign (that totally blends in with the wall behind it) in all of their glory!
Doesn't this produce department look nice?
Ah, and I love the hanging photo collage over the frozen breakfast items on aisle 14, too.
Wow, I wasn't expecting to find the bakery light boxes still in place! If only somebody hadn't replaced the one tile over the security camera with a regular acoustic one . . .
At the bakery, we also find the singular new tile pattern this store has received over its lifetime. I venture to say that it was affixed during the circa 2008 remodel as well.
Our last aisle of the day is the Internet's favorite: #12. Wine and snack foods are the only things found here but rest assured that Publix stocks plenty of both. It's been so long now, but I seem to remember the old store I was familiar with stocking bread & jelly on the right side of this aisle and wine on the left. I could be mistaken.
Let's take one last glance at the bakery before checking out. Once again, the old light box fits in quite well with Evergreen.
Turning around, we find the two short aisles dedicated to greeting cards that were once home to the GreenWise Market organic section.
I'm a bit surprised that Publix never installed any self-checkout machines during this store's 2021 Evergreen remodel because it seems that the grocer has gone all-in with the 'novel' technology. Either way, they got no complaints from me considering how 5/8 registers were open, and I didn't have to wait to checkout.
This store never featured a SunTrust bank branch like its sister up the road, and the corresponding space has always seemed to be used for back office functions unless a photo lab was present during the early days.
Let's adjust our eyes and take one last look at the light fixture before heading outside. I want to draw your attention toward the several dark patches present where light bulbs have burned out – those must be hard to replace!
Notice the scale on the left wall of the vestibule: while an iconic piece of the Publix experience since the early days, these have become increasingly rare to find outside of Florida. They also tend to be present near the exit in newer stores, which furthers my theory that Publix wants you to enter from the other side (despite leaving the choice entirely too ambiguous).
Another thing I'd like to point out is the white band of tile running along the walls. This, too, would have matched the coral and teal design used in the service departments.
|
| Courtesy SAGIS - January 2024 |
Probably one of my most shocking discoveries while performing background research on this store was the fact that Turner Creek is located directly behind this store featuring all sorts of boat docks. I hope that creek isn't prone to flooding!
In any regard, this aerial view from the Savannah GIS website provides a great look at just how pressed for space developers were when they built this store. I have to wonder if local codes would permit this store to be rebuilt in the modern age, which may be why Publix has opted to remodel rather than restart here on Wilmington Island.
I'll close out with a street view perspective from behind the store showcasing the delivery signage for Publix deli #1456. The grocer has since changed its numbering scheme to free up store numbers above 1,000; however, it used to add the thousands place to signify a different department of the store. For example, the grocery department here was #0456, while the deli was #1456, the bakery was #2456, and produce was #3456 (thanks to AFB for that tip). Publix #1456 is now a store in St. Petersburg, but a small reminder of the chain's old numbering scheme still hangs around here in Savannah.
Anyway, that will wrap up this week's post, so I hope y'all enjoyed it! As a historian, while I wish I could visit the past, I also do my best to document and preserve the present. Stay on the lookout for updates to the Aldi / Winn-Dixie saga and remember to live in the moment and explore this wonderful world around us.
Until next time,
- The Sing Oil Blogger
I have to admit that when I saw a Publix was in the MTC part of the post, I was getting a bit worried that it would be some nEvergreen disaster with an open ceiling. Well, reality is something quite different! It may have nEvergreen, but the nEvergreen combined with a wedding cake-style drop ceiling and lower wall heights actually does a lot to limit how ugly nEvergreen and Disagreeable Gray looks! There are still some nEvergreen flaws here, like that dark-on-dark Floral sign (the old man probably should have kept blocking that sign, lol), but it doesn't look too bad in this installation at least.
ReplyDeleteI will say that the strawberries in the Floral photos look a little, well, Aldi-like is what comes to mind to me since Aldi's produce, at least here in Houston, is often of the wilted, colorless type. Maybe your camera was just in nEvergreen color balance mode and was making everything look colorless, but I'm guessing that isn't the entire story here!
But, anyway, this Publix looks like the kind of store I like to shop at, even with nEvergreen. The wedding cake drop ceiling reminds me a lot of 1980s Randall's and 1990s Kroger Signature stores. The use of artificial skylights reminds me a bit more of Randall's than Kroger, but in reality, this store has a lot more artificial skylights than any Randall's I shopped at (though I know of a couple of Randall's that had more of them than the ones I'm used to). Some of the ceiling tiles could probably use replacements as they are looking a bit Kroger-like though! The exterior of this store also looks pretty nice, especially compared to newer Publixes.
I have not been in a Circle K since around 1988 or so, and that was to use their video rental departments at the time. It is interesting to see one now, though I suppose it is also a bit unfortunate. Video poker and kratom? Yikes. I'd expect that at a shady independent C-store here in Houston, but not at Circle K! I guess even Circle Kratom isn't above selling gas station heroin. At least the store looks a lot cleaner than the 7-Elevens around here which I have been inside in modern times (only to get a gas receipt), though the fake wood flooring does look like a bad Kroger concrete floor from a distance (or at least in photo form). I'm sure it probably looks better in person than a Kroger concrete floor though!
Given that Kroger and Safeway have their own brands of motor oil these days, perhaps I shouldn't be surprised that Circle K does as well. Regardless, I'd rather have Kendall Motor Oil like what's in those Sing Oil photos!
Hey, not every Publix that I’ve photographed has Evergreen! In fact, neither of the two stores I shop at most often have it (and I hope they stay like that until Evergreen is replaced). I’m glad you agree that this store is one of the better examples of Evergreen, and I think it looks nice in here for the most part.
DeleteI don’t think these strawberries were wilted, but rather that is just how my camera made them look since it wasn’t focused on them. I know they still aren’t peak season, though. It has to be a really bad day for Publix’ produce to look wilted.
There really is something special about these Publix stores from the 1980’s and 1990’s which makes them feel charming. I suppose the wedding cake ceilings were also just a larger trend at the time since Randall’s and Kroger Signature stores both used them. Yes, it probably would have been good for Publix to have replaced a few more ceiling tiles during the last remodel; however, I’m just glad that this store did receive a remodel instead of a wrecking ball.
Maybe you should venture inside one of the Houston Circle K stores to see how they compare. I’m sure they, too, have video poker and kratom, but those seem to be staples of most any convenience store that isn’t a RaceTrac, QuikTrip, or Wawa around here. At least the gas station heroin stand looks nicer than those flashy signs I see at sketchy stores! The fake wood floors most certainly look better than a Kroger concrete floor!
Really neat to see those vintage photos of the original Waycross Sing station! It was enjoyable to read about Comfort at the Publix as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the Publix architecture is very nice. I also think Evergreen looks quite good in this store, particularly the green awnings.
Thank you! I’m glad I was able to dig up those old pictures to share! I also really regret not meeting Comfort during my trip to the Publix, but my mind totally went blank on looking for her while I was shopping.
DeleteI’m glad you agree; this is for sure one of my favorite Evergreen stores.
Nice seeing those old photos of the Waycross Sing through the years in its various locations around town. Even if the Waycross Sing doesn't have too many relics left, it is one of the nicer examples of a Circle K I've seen, and the new decor looks good in the store. Overall though, Circle K's stores seem to be kept up nicer overall compared to the average 7-Eleven, as I've been in some fairly new 7-Elevens that still came across as being dirty. Hopefully Food Lion is much happier with the better-located ex-Harvey's in Waycross than their original store, which is definitely up there on the list of random locations to put a supermarket! I'm not surprised to see the old Food Lion (and that entire shopping center) are abandoned today.
ReplyDeleteI know there are a few 40/49N Publix stores in Georgia, but I still find it strange seeing stores of that design up there, probably due to how few of them were built in comparison to some of their sibling designs of the time. #456 has a really nice facade, and I like how creative Publix was with the store architecture in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Evergreen looks really nice in these 40N stores, as the gray pairs well with the low drop ceilings around the perimeter and the bright lighting.
It would have been fitting if Comfort was your cashier during this visit! That's nice to hear she's still working there after all this time, as it seems like she's become a bit of a local celebrity on Wilmington Island!
I’m glad you liked the old pictures! I also agree that there seems to be an inverse relationship between how nice a convenience store is and how many Sing relics. For the sake of the neighborhood, it’s probably best that I couldn’t find much because this is one of the nicer Circle Ks I’ve been to (especially for being a 45+ year old store). It’s been a long time since I’ve stepped foot in a 7-Eleven, but I should check one out next time I’m in Orlando or Nashville to compare.
DeleteIf Food Lion isn’t happier with the old Harveys / Piggly Wiggly, then I don’t know what it would take because it is hands down in a better location than the old store. It isn’t surprising to see the entire shopping center abandoned, but it is surprising how all of the tenants seemed to stick around for so long – I feel like most of those bad locations closed up long before 2012. I suppose this store at least had the convenience factor going for it.
It is crazy to think that Publix only ever built four 40N stores and one 49N store outside of Florida. Unless you are used to shopping at one of those five stores, they really look out of place amidst the warehouse ceiling prototypes which succeeded them. The façade is one of the best parts of this store, and I wish Publix would be a bit more creative in modern times to fit the local area. Yes, the low ceiling and bright lighting really do make Evergreen shine in here.
I’m still kicking myself that I forgot to see if Comfort was working that day because the thought did cross my mind as I was driving over. I do think she has earned local celebrity status!