Long-awaited Durham Publix Development Nears Opening, Hosts Job Fair

The new Publix grocery store and surrounding retail are set to open in the coming months after a decade-long debate.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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After years of debate, the new Publix grocery store and surrounding retail development in north Durham is nearing completion and will host a job fair this weekend to hire 140 full-time and part-time positions. The $50 million 'Latta Park' development faced rezoning challenges but is now set to open in the spring, bringing a Publix, Chipotle, and several local Durham restaurants to the area.

Why it matters

The Publix development has been a contentious issue in the Durham community for nearly a decade, with some residents eager for the new grocery options and economic opportunities, while others raised concerns about increased traffic and environmental impacts. The opening of the new development represents a compromise that aims to balance the needs of the community.

The details

The $50 million 'Latta Park' development faced rezoning challenges that took nearly three years to resolve, according to the developer Crosland Southeast. In addition to the Publix grocery store, the development will include a Chipotle restaurant, a dental office, and three as-yet-unnamed local Durham restaurants. The site will also feature a 1.6-acre public park with a pollinator garden, public art, solar panels, and a designated food truck area.

  • The Publix development has been in the works for roughly a decade.
  • Rezoning of the site took nearly three years to complete.
  • Construction progress is now apparent, with the Publix expected to open in the spring of 2026.
  • The Publix job fair will take place from February 20-22, 2026.

The players

Crosland Southeast

The real estate development firm that achieved rezoning of the site and is working to bring the 'Latta Park' development to fruition.

Austin Williams

A partner at Crosland Southeast who has been overseeing the Latta Park development project.

Publix

The grocery store chain that will anchor the new Latta Park development in north Durham.

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What they’re saying

“Rezoning was difficult. We were the fourth developer to try and rezone it. That process in and of itself was nearly three years. COVID happened. Financing got tough. Interest rates shot up. There were just a lot of challenges along the way.”

— Austin Williams, Partner, Crosland Southeast (WRAL)

“Folks around here, they want local. And beyond Chipotle, that's what they're going to get. We are working on leases with three exciting local Durham restaurants, Durham-based restaurants. We have not signed the leases, so I'm dying to tell you about them but I can't.”

— Austin Williams, Partner, Crosland Southeast (WRAL)

“I think this will be a gathering space. We've certainly designed the park so that it's not just designed for shoppers.”

— Austin Williams, Partner, Crosland Southeast (WRAL)

What’s next

The Publix job fair will take place from February 20-22, 2026 as the grocery store looks to hire 140 full-time and part-time positions.

The takeaway

The long-awaited Publix development in north Durham represents a compromise between community members who have been eager for new grocery options and economic opportunities, and those who raised concerns about increased traffic and environmental impacts. The final design aims to balance these interests by including a public park, local businesses, and sustainable features.