LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- After months of anticipation, Kentucky's first Publix opened early Wednesday in east Louisville. 

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg joined other local officials Wednesday for a 7 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony at the store at 2500 Terra Crossing Blvd., which is east of Interstate 265 near Old Henry Road, near Middletown.

The store is officially open for business.

"Publix choosing our city for its first Kentucky location is a big win for this community and our workforce," Greenberg said in a written statement. "From fresh produce to the famous Publix subs and the creation of good jobs, this location and stores to follow will have a positive impact. I am grateful to the leaders of Publix for choosing Louisville, and I look forward to building on a promising partnership."

Rick Bozich at Publix in east Louisville

Pictured: WDRB sports columnist Rick Bozich joined crowds of people lined up outside the new Publix store at 2500 Terra Crossing Boulevard in east Louisville, Ky., on Jan. 10, 2024 (WDRB/Amanda Roberts via X)

A crowd of people — including WDRB's own Rick Bozich — were lined up outside the store before the doors opened. 

One customer we spoke with explained why he's glad the chain has located in Louisville. 

"The fact that they're new. They're an employee-owned company. It's a co-op. I know a little bit about that because my career was in the grocery business. I retired a long time ago. But they've got a really good reputation for being customer-focused, and I'm looking forward to having that in town."

On opening day, the store's wine and spirit section is offering a special promotion featuring limited edition bottles of Maker's Mark Bourbon Whiskey available exclusively at the wine and spirits store in Publix.

WDRB's Amanda Roberts learns more.

"We are so excited with our partners at Maker's Mark," Publix spokeswoman Maria Brous said. "There was a special barrel that was made just for Publix with a birthday cake finish on it, only found here at our Kentucky liquor store."

Brous said the bottles will be signed by Maker's Mark Distillery's chairman emeritus Bill Samuels Jr. from 3-6 p.m. Wednesday. 

Several people said they started lining up at 10 p.m. Tuesday for a chance to buy the limited edition bottle from the wine and spirits section of the store, which opened at 9 a.m. 

WDRB's Amanda Roberts talks with some dedicated customers.

"I think it's great," Brous said. "It's the greatest part of flattery that we can get that folks are coming in. They want to get the limited edition bottle. They want to be able to shop at their favorite store."

The 55,000-square-foot store is the first Publix in Kentucky and one of three new locations opening in east Louisville.

"We are so excited to be here in Louisville, to open our doors and get everybody into the store and share our different departments," Publix spokeswoman Nicole Krauss said. 

Krauss said there are many ready-to-eat options available at Publix. 

"We hope that folks come in and taste our freshly baked bread and have their own pub sub," Krauss said. "We've got a huge deli that has a lot of different variety. You can have your burrito bowl. You can have some sushi while you're here. And fresh Florida strawberries in the produce area as well."

The store is set to open at 7 a.m. today.

Publix now has more than 1,300 stores in eight states, but the store is the largest employee-owned store in the U.S. 

"We're about 100 years old," Krauss said. "And this is our eighth state. We're so excited to come to Kentucky." 

In celebration of the grand opening, Publix donated 40,000 pounds of produce to Dare to Care. That donation brings the total produce provided to Dare to Care to more than 2 million pounds since 2021, when the company announced its expansion into Kentucky.

The chain is also working to open other locations in east Louisville: one on Flat Rock and Shelbyville roads, and another at Ballardsville and Brownsboro roads.

Publix said it's still looking for more associates for its east Louisville location. To apply, click here. 

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