Publix acquires the Bi-Lo lease

Looking from the outside, the building that housed a Seneca supermarket there’s no semblance that the building off SC 130 ever was home to one of Seneca’s two Bi-Lo stores. On Friday, however, some activity was spotted there…and it prompted a call by 101.7/WGOG NEWS to the Publix supermarket chain to try to learn whether what once was a Bi-Lo in the vicinity of Seneca’s east end intersection will be turned into a Publix. The reply from a spokeswoman for Publix in Charlotte, North Carolina is, “Yes, we are coming to Seneca and are excited.” Kimberly Reynolds referred us to a May 31 announcement from Publix headquarters in Lakeland, Florida which starts out, “Publix is pleased to announce the acquisition of a lease from BI-LO. The site is located at Seneca 130 Plaza — 115 Rochester Highway, Seneca, South Carolina.” It further stated, “The grand opening date has not yet been confirmed. Financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed.”