FAIRHOPE, Ala. — It’s been more than a week since the Publix Super Market, located at U.S. 98 and Parker Road, held its grand opening last Wednesday.

“This new Publix has been very well-received by the community in its first week,” said Dwaine Stevens, Publix area media and communication relations manager. “We are very pleased with everything so far.”

According to Stevens, the reception in Fairhope has been much better than expected.

“We had people lining up around the building the first day it opened,” Stevens said. “It is interesting how jubilant people have been about it; there is a lot of excitement.”

Among those attending the opening ceremony were Scott Brubaker, vice president, Publix Jacksonville division; Jeffrey Pape, vice president for investments at Regency Centers; Carl Baker, project manager; Raymond Herndon, Regency Centers investments manager; and Debbie Iereubino, store manager.

Baldwin County currently has two Publix grocery stores, in Orange Beach and Fairhope. There are plans to open a third one in Daphne in 2010.

Dorothy and Sam Marshall moved to Fairhope from Atlanta last October. They said that while in Atlanta, they lived between two Publix grocery stores and went shopping there often, and they have already been at the new one in Fairhope multiple times.

“Every Publix we have been to is good,” Dorothy said. “They have a great deli section.”

Sam added, “Publix is a very upscale supermarket. We are very happy it is now available in Fairhope.”

According to Stevens, the new store is fully staffed with more than 100 associates. He says that he is very optimistic about the store’s future.

“We knew Fairhope was a good city to open a Publix, and they have not disappointed us,” Stevens said. “We hope it will have a good impact on the community.”