The 50,325-square-foot Publix at Wolf Creek Commons opened Thursday, Aug. 13, giving Waterset residents a full-service grocery store inside their community for the first time.

The store at 3050 19th Ave. NE in Ruskin sits at the southern edge of the master-planned development, which already has more than 3,500 homes occupied and another 1,500 approved, according to a September 2025 project update from developer Redstone Investments. Until now, those households drove nearly three miles to the nearest Publix at South Shore Village in Ruskin or 3.5 miles to the Apollo Beach location.

"The new Publix at Wolf Creek Commons is now open!!" the Waterset community posted on Facebook Thursday morning.

Redesigned Store Adds Bigger Departments, Drive-Through Pharmacy

The location features Publix's newest store redesign, with larger bakery, meat and seafood displays, pickup and delivery options, a drive-through pharmacy and an adjacent liquor store, the Herald-Tribune reported.

County Approved Final Plat Two Days Before Opening

Hillsborough County commissioners cleared the final hurdle just two days before the opening. The Board of County Commissioners approved the final plat for the site on Tuesday, Aug. 11. Commissioner Harry Cohen moved the approval, and Commissioner Gwen Myers seconded it. As we reported that day, the plat covered roughly 11 acres.

The county had already accepted the off-site road, drainage and water infrastructure for the project at its July 21 meeting, posting a $66,184.99 warranty bond for that work, according to BOCC records.

Redstone Investments Still Marketing Remaining Retail Space

Tampa-based Redstone Investments developed Wolf Creek Commons. Beyond the Publix, the center includes 11,700 square feet of additional retail space and several outparcel pads earmarked for restaurants and services. The developer has not officially announced tenants.

Rich Harkins, Redstone's director of construction, said in a September 2025 project update that vertical construction on the Publix building had "officially commenced, with footers set, masonry work in progress, and underground plumbing and electric systems being installed."

Nearby Amazon Facility Expected to Boost Foot Traffic

The shopping center also benefits from its proximity to an Amazon distribution center just to the south that Redstone said employs more than 2,500 people, adding foot traffic beyond the Waterset residential base.

Publix's opening announcement did not disclose how many jobs the new store created. The outparcel pads remain available, and Publix has said it is not unusual for stores to open in close proximity when local population and traffic patterns support it.