The University of South Florida’s Bulls better watch out – Publix is coming to campus.
The smaller, 29,000 square foot neighborhood-market style store is scheduled to make its debut by fall 2017. This will mark the Florida giant’s first store to grace a college campus.
This new store will anchor an expansive new student housing project under the name Andros Village, according to Tampy Bay Online (TBO).
“The entire campus community is thrilled and excited to welcome Publix – one of Florida’s most respected companies – to our campus,” Judy Genshaft, USF System President, said in a written statement. “Our students’ top request was to bring a grocery store to campus so that we could create a healthy living and learning environment that fully supports them in their goals and ambitions.”
Up to two job fairs will be held on the USF campus during each calendar year. Qualified students will be considered for employment or internships.
Publix will pay the university $130,000 a year to rent the land for the store under a 21-year lease, TBO reports. Under the deal, Publix will have six opportunities to renew the contract another five years, and the university has the right to increase rent by 10 percent every five years.
