Q: Years ago, you reported that the Publix at Neapolitan Way here in Naples was going to go under renovation. Obviously, it’s been some time since then, but it has yet to happen. I’ve heard rumors now that it’s going to close down for renovation in November. I’m wondering if there is any truth to that. It’s definitely much needed! —Mariana Lara, Naples

A: Two days after Thanksgiving, the 38-year-old Publix supermarket in Neapolitan Way Plaza will close to begin a Naples redevelopment project that has been planned for years. The supermarket and the adjoining vacant retail space that previously was home to PetPeople and Hallmark stores will be demolished and replaced by a new, larger Publix within the same footprint.

Publix recently sparked confusion by posting on its online page for the Naples store that it is “permanently closing soon.” That’s because the Florida-based supermarket chain is retiring store number 172 and launching replacement store number 1782.

The existing store will close at 7 p.m. Nov. 30. What Publix is not able to communicate is when demolition will begin and when the new supermarket is targeted to open.

“As you can imagine, there are a number of variables that factor into the timeline for store openings. To ensure we are sharing the most accurate information with your readers/viewers and our customers, we only share the opening date once it is confirmed,” said Lindsey Willis, media relations manager for Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets Inc.

Judging from similar Publix rebuilding projects, the new store’s construction most likely will require eight months to a year. So, expect the new supermarket to launch in the latter half of 2025.

Originally opening Aug. 28, 1986, at 4601 Ninth St. N., the Neapolitan Way store is the oldest Publix in Collier County that hasn’t been rebuilt yet. Area Publix stores were previously demolished and rebuilt in Naples Plaza in 2012, Kings Lake Square in East Naples in 2014 and the Shops of Marco on Marco Island in 2020-21. The Publix store in Riverchase Plaza, built in 1991 at U.S. 41 and Immokalee Road in North Naples, is expected to be next in line for redevelopment.

Shoppers can anticipate some major changes at the Publix store in Neapolitan Way Plaza. Expect a reconfiguration and the latest look for a vintage Publix store that hasn’t been redesigned for nearly two decades.

The 40,120-square-foot existing store will be rebuilt as a 51,908-square-foot supermarket with a mezzanine. The store’s deli is expected to be relocated from the back wall of the building to a more prominent spot as an island within the store.

The new store is not expected to have a pharmacy drive-up lane or an adjacent Publix Liquors store, as do most new Publix supermarkets. The rendering for the new store does not show a pharmacy window and Walgreen’s already has a liquor store in that retail center.

Bowl over

A beloved Naples area landmark was demolished earlier this month.

The North Naples site of Bowland Beacon for more than 65 years has been leveled to prepare the property for a hotel redevelopment project.

Collier County issued a demolition permit Oct. 24 for the former longtime bowling alley and adjacent veterinarian office at 5400 Trail Blvd., across U.S. 41 from Waterside Shops. Naples Excavating began demolition work Oct. 28 and site work was finished Nov. 9, ahead of schedule, said Nick Radick, director of sales and marketing for the local contractor.

The Beacon property was sold and the bowling alley permanently closed Aug. 18. While the entertainment center’s owners have yet to find another North Naples spot to relocate the local business, plans are being finalized for The Carnelian hotel.

The new redevelopment project provides a stark contrast to the old bowling alley. Expect a six-story boutique hotel with a luxurious private club and an upscale public restaurant.

Local entrepreneur Phil McCabe is developing The Carnelian and its Sterling’s private club with his sons, Philip and Joseph, as part of their Naples-based Gulf Coast Commercial Corp. The McCabe family has worked during the past year to formalize plans for the vision, design and interior decor of the hotel and its exclusive club.

“It’s evolved in design. We’re aiming for a five-star boutique hotel of 70 rooms,” McCabe said.

The public interest in Sterling’s has been significant, greater than anticipated.

“We’re very pleasantly surprised. The interest is very, very strong,” McCabe said. “We’re moving along rapidly now. We’ll be going public with it very, very soon here in the next month or so.”

Vertical construction will not begin immediately, though. The project’s site development plan still needs to be finalized.

“I’m hoping to have an SDP in hand in December,” McCabe said. “Now, will we start when we have the SDP? No, we won’t. There’s still more that has to happen. So, I’m guessing that it will be in the middle of the winter when we go vertical. That’s what I’m thinking.”

But don’t expect to enjoy Gulf of Mexico views from the top floors of The Carnelian for about two years.

“I think it will be about 19 months of construction, or something like that,” McCabe said. “If all were to go well, I would want to open in the fall of ‘26, late fall of ‘26.”

Since initially announcing the hotel project, plans for two first-floor restaurants have been reconfigured to one large public restaurant.

“Continued refinement and reimagining of the development, we moved our meeting space, boardroom and ballrooms down to the first floor on one side, and then we’re only going to do one restaurant — one large restaurant — a significant restaurant in size.”

It’s too early to know other details about the restaurant, other than that it will most likely be a regional or national fine-dining concept. Although there has been great interest for the restaurant tenant, McCabe said they have not had time to focus on it yet.

The hotel already has its necessary entitlements to start. The only issue that will be before the Collier County commissioners early next year is a consent agenda item for a companion proposal to install brick pavers and landscaping on Trail Boulevard south of Ridge Drive and along the front of the hotel.

Artis—Naples and many of the stores in Waterside Shops have reached out to the McCabes for a possible partnership with the hotel. “We want to introduce a lot of culture into the club,” said McCabe, noting that they will have a collaboration with the local cultural arts center. “I think we’re going to be very, very successful with that. The neighborhood is sort of all coming together.”

The “Tim Aten Knows” weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at tim.aten@naplespress.com.