FLEMINGTON – The Publix supermarket under construction is getting closer to an opening date.

Liberty Consolidated Planning Commission executive director Jeff Ricketson told Flemington City Council members the store is on target for an October opening date. Flemington City Council members approved their request for a business license at their July 8 meeting.

Council members approved an alcohol business license for Publix at their June meeting.

Publix still needs to get a certificate of occupancy from Liberty County and get a site plan approval from the LCPC, Ricketson added.

Ground for the 46,791 square foot store was broken in October 2024. The entire tract is 9.7 acres.

The city also is accepting requests for proposal for garbage collection, since the county is ending its service to Flemington this year. The contractor approved would be in charge of billing and setting up the days of the week for service.

Mayor pro tem David Edwards said they hope to have a smooth transition with a new provider by January 1.

The county conducted an assessment of its solid waste operations and one of the recommendations resulting was ending the service in Flemington. Property owners are required by city ordinance to have trash service and to have yard waste picked up.

There are 600 residential customers with one polycart and 10 with two such carts.

“It needs to be seamless,” Council member Rene Harwell said of the transition.