Publix and Gigi's Cupcakes - Tampa, FL

Publix #17/Publix #611

1313 S. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL

Opened on September 25, 1997 to replace a former Art Deco Publix (store #17) at the northern end of the plaza. That store opened on April 24, 1951 and closed in 1996. The new store is 50,931 square feet in size, indicating that this is a "51T" store, or as I would call it: the mid-range model.

The former Crispers restaurant at the same plaza opened in 2006 and closed in 2017. That space is currently occupied by a Keke's Breakfast Cafe which opened on June 20, 2018.

I am also going to include some 2018 photos of this place as a comparison.

This photo, September 2019.

May 2018 photo of the enter doors. Also note the old Presto ATM logo used from 1984 to 2015 above the ATM machine.

September 2019 photo of the updated welcome sign. Instead of green beans, it is now another type of food or object.

Former welcome sign used from the 2014 remodel to the 2019 refresh. Photo taken in May 2018.

A close up image of Publix's tile pattern in store 611.

A view that you get after entering the store. A part of the floral department got expanded into the former pharmacy drop-off area. The soup bar moved from the deli to the grab and go section.

In this photo from September 2019, here is the deli and dining areas in it's entire length. Also note the Coke Freestyle machine to the right of the dining area and the grab and go section. That was the former Hallmark cards area.

May 2018 photo of the deli. You can also see an emergency exit door, that has been permanently removed as of 2019.

Brand new tables, windows, and floors at the dining section!

September 2019 photo of the produce department.

In May 2018, there was an old Aprons logo, and note the asparagus used in produce. That has since been changed in the 2019 refresh.

The current look of the bakery, with a lowered sign. Taken in September 2019.

May 2018 photo, showing the old bakery signage from the 2014 remodel. Also the word PUBLIX is near the top of the curved arch!

The meat department in the back corner, in a similar spot to the early 1990's stores.

Aisle 3, along with the updated pharmacy counter and the expanded floral department.

Updated pharmacy signage, as seen from aisle 4. Due to the placement of the pharmacy, aisle 2 is very short.

Aisle 4 is home to health and beauty products.

May 2018 photo of the dairy department signage.

Looking across the dairy department to the end of the grocery aisles. The 2014 aisle markers remain in use after the 2019 refresh.

The store's wine department.

Aisle 16 begins the frozen food section of the store. Frozen foods continue until aisle 17.

Nearly the entire length of the dairy department as seen from the end of aisle 16.

Aisle 17 is the last aisle in frozen foods and the entire store. The eggs that you see in the right of this photo is a part of dairy.

Approaching the end of aisle 17, and the transition to the wine department. Also, why place a fire alarm directly on a frozen food cooler?

Compare this photo of the checkouts from September 2019...

...to May 2018!

Because I did not get a photo of aisle 12, how about checkout lane 12 instead! (Photo taken in May 2018)

The thank you sign is placed above the restrooms. Before the 2014 remodel, this was a Publix logo.

The customer service desk and counter, which is in a nearly similar spot to the early 1990's stores.

Publix #611's exit door.

An overview of the covered drop off and pick up parking area. This was temporarily a valet parking lot from mid-2018 to this year.

Related to this store, I remember seeing WTVT's morning news crew while I was watching Good Day back in November 2018.

Our final view of Publix #611 before we jump across the street to Gigi's Cupcakes.

Gigi's Cupcakes - South Tampa

3810 W. Neptune St, Tampa, FL - Southtown Plaza

The plaza opened in 2005, but I don't know if Gigi's Cupcakes opened in 2005 or a later date.

The outside entryway to Gigi's Cupcakes.

A menu board, and a wide selection of cupcakes in this small building!

Gigi's Cupcakes Facebook and Instagram follower tracker, as seen before leaving the store.

What Gigi's Cupcakes describes as a Wedding Cake.

This blog post is now complete!