Publix plans store at Cane Bay

The growing Berkeley County subdivision of Cane Bay, where a new high school of the same name just opened, will soon see a new supermarket.

Publix Super Markets Inc. plans to build a 45,000-square-foot store at the northeast corner of U.S. Highway 176 and Cane Bay Parkway in the Market at Cane Bay, said Brenda Reid, media and community relations manager for the food store chain that prides itself on customer service.

Construction will take about 10 months, though it has not begun, and the store will employ about 100 people, Reid said. "We generally look at population growth and density" when deciding on a location.

Publix has another supermarket just down the road on Hwy. 176, which is called St. James Avenue in Goose Creek. That store will not be affected by the opening of the new Publix, Reid said.

A similar-size store is planned for Hardeeville in Jasper County at the southwest corner of S.C. Highway 170 and New River Parkway in Argent Lake Village.

The new stores will give the Lakeland, Fla.-based company 44 stores in South Carolina. It already has 11 in the Charleston metro area. The grocer, which was founded during the Depression in 1930, reported revenues of $23 billion in 2007. It employs 140,000 workers at its 952 stores in the Southeast, according to its Web site.

Voting vino

After months of mud-slinging and endless campaign commercials, it all comes to an end Tuesday and Coco's Cafe in Mount Pleasant wants voters to raise their glasses in honor of themselves for enduring it all.

The French restaurant in Patriots Plaza will offer anyone over 21 wearing an "I Voted" sticker a free glass of wine with lunch or dinner. "French, English or whatever your nationality, participating in the voting process in a democratic society is so important," said Stephen Ollard, owner and executive chef. "And goodness knows, we all could use a glass of wine after this crazy election season."

Feeder system

Times are tough, and more Americans than ever will probably need a little help filling their stomachs this holiday season. To help, Harris Teeter Inc. is rolling out its Harvest Feast Food Drive again. Supermarket shoppers can purchase $5 and $20 donation cards when they check out or donate nonperishable items in collection bins at storefronts. Harris Teeter will distribute the cards to food banks in the amount raised in their respective service areas. Last year, the 176-store chain and its shoppers donated more than $156,000 in gift cards to food bank partners. The Matthews, N.C.-based company also hosts three Harvest Feast dinners and plans to serve more than 15,000 in need of a free Thanksgiving-style meal this year.

Reach Warren Wise at 937-5524.