DeKalb County celebrates groundbreaking of long-awaited Publix, Candler Crossing development

DECATUR, GA- DeKalb County officials and development partners will celebrate the groundbreaking of a Publix grocery store and multi-tenant retail building on Thursday, June 11.

The $28.9M Candler Crossing project, which will be located at 1842 Candler Road, is supported by a $3.82 million Tax Allocation District (TAD) grant approved by the Decide DeKalb Development Authority, in partnership with Venture South Investments (VSI), 

DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said the groundbreaking represents a “full-circle moment” after the project was delayed due to the global pandemic.

“Six years ago, while serving as Commissioner for Super District 7, I initiated this project because I believed South DeKalb families deserved greater access to fresh food, quality retail, and economic opportunity. To now celebrate its groundbreaking as CEO is incredibly meaningful,” Cochran-Johnson said. “This project represents a promise kept. It will create jobs, improve access to healthy food, and help reestablish the Candler Road corridor as a vibrant destination for residents and businesses alike.”

The development is expected to create more than 100 construction jobs and approximately 183 permanent jobs, officials said. Initial occupancy is expected in October 2027.

Once completed, Candler Crossing will feature a 50,325-square-foot Publix grocery store, an 11,200-square-foot retail building, green space, pedestrian walkways, a renovated MARTA bus stop, and affordable commercial space for local businesses, officials said.

The development comes at a critical time following the closure of Kroger at Belvedere Plaza, leaving area residents with one fewer option for healthy grocery choices.

Beyond the Publix anchor, the development is expected to serve as a catalyst for additional investment along the Candler Road corridor and throughout South DeKalb, said Jacob Vallo, Chief Development Officer for DeKalb County.

“This is more than a development project—it is an investment in people and in the future of South DeKalb,” said Vallo. “Tomorrow’s groundbreaking represents years of collaboration between DeKalb County, Decide DeKalb, Venture South Investments, and numerous County departments. We are grateful for the investment Publix and Venture South are making in this community, and we are excited to see a vision years in the making become a reality for residents.”

The development, unanimously approved by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, is located in District 3, represented by Commissioner Nicole Massiah, and Super District 7, represented by Commissioner LaDena Bolton.

Above Artist’s Rendering provided TOBININK.