JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – After delays and some doubt it would happen, a plan to bring Publix to Johnson City is moving forward three years after the project was first announced.

A Publix Supermarkets spokesperson told News Channel 11 the company has moved forward with a lease on a store in Johnson City.

The place will remain the same on North State of Franklin Road at the former Food City location.

A start date has not yet been set because it depends on when construction on the road behind the store will be completed. Spokesperson Kimberly Reynolds said once that is done, the supermarket will begin construction and have an official timeline of a start date.

Kimberly Reynolds said, “It will be a newer, a brand new store. We’re tearing it down and rebuilding.”

The old Food City building on the corner of Market Street and State of Franklin Road will no longer exist.

“We just really wanted to make sure we’re providing our customers with the very best shopping experience, and all of the departments and services they love,” Reynolds said.

She said the supermarket will have the latest design.

“It will have all of the tradiational departments that our customers know. So, the scratch bakery, our Publix deli, our full service meat and seafood department,” Reynolds said.

The store will employ about 140 people and could also bring new life to neighboring businesses.

“We were so excited. I think it’s a dream come true to have a local business in the area, and also can bring this whole shopping center alive,” Siu Lam, owner of Yamato said.

Lam said business has been the slowest it has ever been over the last three years because of vacancy in the lot. His restaurant has been in business since for more than 20 years.

“What it is right now is we have no traffic, and I am here for the past three to four years relying on my repeat customers,” Lam said.

Amanda Walsh, assistant manager for Advance America said the loan review company has also been struggling.

“It has been kind of rough. I’m not going to lie. They have been talking about getting this Publix in here for the last, literally three years,” Walsh said. “It’s definitely going to bring some new business, some new faces in the area.”

Both companies are on oppsosite sides of the lot.

“I think on the other aspect of things, I don’t know how they going to rezone this area because I know that the old Food City, that I know where it used to be, it is very small and I know Publix is usually very large. I don’t know if they’re going to end up having to break any of this building down and rebuild it back up, so that might put an effect on our business or even Yamato’s,” Walsh said. “I really do hope that they keep us in this area.”

We reached out to the developer on how construction will affect neighboring businesses, and are still waiting to hear back.

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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Publix is coming to Johnson City.

According to Publix Super Markets Media and Community Relations Manager Kimberly Reynolds, Publix has executed a lease on a Publix store in Johnson City.

The store will be approximately 45,000 square feet.

RELATED: Johnson City officials ‘very excited’ about incoming Publix

Plans for the new grocery store were submitted and approved in September.

RELATED: Johnson City officials say Publix plans approved; waiting on Lark Street extension project

More information is expected to be released soon.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned with News Channel 11 online and on-air for updates.