A new Publix store opens in our area today.

The Lakeland-based grocery store chain’s newest location has its grand opening today in the Westlake Plaza, 16841 Persimmon Blvd W., in Westlake, the company announced in a press release.

Sign up now for my weekly newsletter!

This marks the second new grocery store to open since Westlake incorporated in 2016, becoming the 39th municipality in Palm Beach County. A Winn-Dixie opened in a renovated space in March of last year in the Grove Market Shopping Center on the northeast corner of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and Persimmon Boulevard, across the street from the new Publix.

This also marks the first major retailer to open in a new shopping plaza in the city, which is the fastest-growing in the county, according to Census data.

“We are excited to welcome our customers to their new store at the Westlake Plaza Shopping Center and look forward to providing them with the premier service and quality Publix is known for,” said Lindsey Willis, Publix media relations manager.

The new Publix is more than 48,000 square feet and includes a full-service deli, produce department, bakery, wine department, pharmacy, and meat and seafood departments.

To mark the grand opening, Publix said it will donate $1,500 in nonperishable food to Seminole Ridge Community High School, which is just south of the new store.

The items will be used in the high school’s program to feed the unhoused in our community, Publix said.

The grocery chain is undertaking a number of projects in our area.

The Publix on the northeast corner of Royal Palm Beach and Okeechobee boulevards was demolished and rebuilt, with an opening date soon.

Another new Publix is under construction on Forest Hill Boulevard near the Mall at Wellington Green, in the former Fresh Market space.

And the Publix at Greenview Shores Boulevard and Wellington Trace is planned to be demolished and expanded in a similar project to the one undertaken in Royal Palm Beach.