Publix continues to expand in North Carolina

Lakeland, Fla. -- Publix Super Markets on Friday announced it will enter the Asheville and Cary markets in North Carolina.



The supermarket operator will open a 49,000-sq.-ft store in Asheville, complete with a drive-thru pharmacy, in 2015.



The 49,000-sq.-ft. Cary store is tentatively planned for late 2014.

Publix previously announced its first three North Carolina locations, opening one in Ballantyne in early 2014 and two in the greater Charlotte area, which is slated for a late 2014 opening date.



"Publix continues to aggressively look for additional locations throughout the state of North Carolina as it strives to meet and exceed the expectations of the communities it will serve," the company stated in a press release.