In early 2011, Chelsea citizens can expect another local choice for grocery shopping.

Mayor Earl Niven said developers broke ground for the new Publix building Jan. 15 near the intersection of Shelby County 39 and U.S. 280. The building should be completed in January 2011.

Niven said Publix would be part of a small shopping center, with 30,000 square feet of space for four or five other businesses. Niven said he does not know what other businesses will be there, but the shopping center will help bring attention to Chelsea’s economic development.

“I think it will add to our commercial development on Highway 280, and I think this will bring other businesses, especially with the economy like it is,” he said. “Other companies will see that Publix is moving in, and this will bring other businesses to the Chelsea community.”

Niven said Publix, especially, would help keep revenue in Chelsea.

“We have a lot of people who drive over the mountain to the Publix in Lee Branch, and this will keep them on this side of Double Oak Mountain,” he said.

Niven said big chains such as Publix only add to Chelsea’s development.

He said plans to have an Applebee’s in Chelsea are still underway, and Applebee’s would have a similar effect on the restaurant business in Chelsea. However, there’s no set time line for when Applebee’s will open, he said.