TAMPA, Fla. - The new Publix store in the West River District of Tampa is officially open.

The store, which opened on Thursday morning, is located at 1700 North Boulevard, and is across the street from Howard Blake High School.

The area is the focus of major development that also includes a project that will extend the Riverwalk.

What they're saying:

Tampa Housing Authority’s President and CEO Jerome Ryans says a premier grocery store like Publix opening in what was a food desert is a defining moment in the transformation of the community.

"It is just a tremendous opportunity for this area," Ryans said. "This has been a food desert for a while. To have the premium grocery store in the state of Florida to open up a store here in this location is just unbelievable. People that liv

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