SW Grocery Shopping Poll: Publix on Sanibel? What's your opinion?

News SW Grocery Shopping Poll: Publix on Sanibel? What's your opinion? The Publix logo. USA TODAY Network, Reuters Is Publix courting Sanibel? Will this be a marriage made in heaven, or in that other place? A City of Sanibel spokesperson told The News-Press at the end of August that Publix, the Lakeland-based supermarket chain, recently had a pre-application meeting with city officials regarding putting a store on an island known for its beach town charm. In the past, there's been dislike by Sanibel resident (and visitors) of anything that would stick out from the rest of the island's architecture or taint the fabric of what has been built there and what the island has become known for. But in 2026, almost four years since historic Hurricane Ian crushed Sanibel, including its legendary and historic grocer, Bailey's, established in 1899. There had been plans for redevelopment of Bailey's. However, the store's permit application, for "construction of a new commercial center" filed in September 2025 has been cancelled, the city's website shows. Now, the door is open for Publix or any other grocery store chain to explore what could be a golden opportunity. Which brings us to this week's SW Florida Grocery Shopping Poll: Question: Do you think a Publix on Sanibel would ruin the appeal of the famous vacation destination, or would it bring convenience and to some degree, relief for an island still recovering from Hurricane Ian? Mark H. Bickel is the Audience Development Director for The News-Press & Naples Daily News. Reach him by emailing mbickel@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: SW Grocery Shopping Poll: Publix on Sanibel? What's your opinion? Reporting by Mark H. Bickel, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect This story was originally published September 6, 2026 at 5:00 AM.