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City of Destin approves Publix shopping center at Old Time Pottery location

In March 2022, Get The Coast broke the news that Publix would be taking over the Old Time Pottery property located at 757 & 761 Harbor Blvd in Destin.  On Monday night, the Destin City Council approved the request for a Major Development Order to build a new shopping complex. The project encompasses the old […]

In March 2022, Get The Coast broke the news that Publix would be taking over the Old Time Pottery property located at 757 & 761 Harbor Blvd in Destin. 

  • On Monday night, the Destin City Council approved the request for a Major Development Order to build a new shopping complex.
  • The project encompasses the old theater and the building southwest of the Old Time Pottery store. 

The property is approximately ±20.06 acres and will consist of the redevelopment of the existing Downtown Destin Shopping Center. All existing buildings, pavement and most of the existing utilities will be demolished and removed, according to the development order. 

Map showing the proposed location of the new Publix Shopping Center in Destin, Florida. (City of Destin)

Construction for the new development includes a ±69,000 SF grocery-anchored shopping center with new parking (320 spaces), sidewalks, landscaping, utilities, and an expansion of the existing stormwater management retention pond.

  • Within the new shopping center will be a ±2,800 sq.ft. liquor store and ±4,800 sq ft. of other retail/commercial space located at the current Old Time Pottery location. 
Rendering showing the proposed design of the new Publix Shopping Center in Destin, Florida. (City of Destin)
Rendering showing the proposed design of the new Publix Shopping Center in Destin, Florida. (City of Destin)

According to city documents, the project would first demolish and regrade the entire site, removing all buildings and impervious surfaces. The site would then be redeveloped as proposed in the site plans submitted to the City of Destin. 

This project will be done in phases with Phase 1 consisting of the grocery-anchored shopping center first. The green space you see in the rendering below is the remainder tract and will be developed at a later time. This chunk of land is close to 9 acres and will be a grassy area until future development happens.

According to representatives for the project, Publix is expected to close on the property in May 2023. They estimate that construction will take approximately 1 year to complete, putting their tentative opening timeframe around May 2024.

Construction of infrastructure must start no later than October 03, 2023.

Rendering showing the proposed design of the new Publix Shopping Center in Destin, Florida. (City of Destin)

5 Responses

  1. Hopefully, the Old Time Pottery Store will remain where it is. I am thrilled that Publix will be coming in down the way from OTP. I was there this week shopping at Old Time Pottery Store and already see some work being done on the future Publix store. Love seeing the process of renovation being done.

    1. From the way this article reads, it seems OTP will no longer be there. Bad enough we’re losing Pepito’s, but OTP too?!! Although, Pepito’s is relocating to the old Chapala on Eglin.

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Community Comments

“It sounds like the developer is only interested in participating if it serves there monetary interest without regard to Destin leadership or community concerns. Why would the city allow this...”
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“Destin does not need more commercialization. Go to Panama City for that. If it can’t be stopped, please say the new construction will not look like the cheesy towers already...”
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“Whatever the plan turns out to be, it needs to tie into the new Brooks bridge, increase downtown parking and allow for much more pedestrian traffic maybe even closing down...”
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“The current building is an eye sore and looks more like Panama Beaches. Too tall already. Let the citizens vote on it! No!!!”
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“https://www.getthecoast.com/destin-council-seeks-to-close-dangerous-us-highway-98-intersection-after-fatal-crash/ I can only imagine there will be more like this if Destin gets anymore congested.”
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“I honestly wish the citizens of Destin could vote on this debacle. I bet very few if any would agree to this continued commercialization, on a ridiculous level, of what...”
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“Absolutely not! We are a small city! We need more green spaces. More parks! Our city to be safe to walk, run, and ride your bike. We have enough places...”
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“Infrastructures is not designed to handle any more .IE Roads! Traffic count is needed. 2 spaces per unit! Gulf power suggested the need! We in okaloosa country 1.4 per unit....”
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“Not touristy at all. It’s all about cars cars carsWhen are Americans going to get back to a people environment. Cancel car culture. Trains, buses, trams, walking and cycling. Many...”
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“The infrastructure " roads " cannot support the traffic! Traffic count needed.”
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