More than 100 braved the light rain on Dec. 2, waiting outside to be one of the first to shop in the new Publix Super Markets in Moody. Ed and April Rice of Odenville were the first in line and had been waiting since 4 a.m.

“We love Publix, and we’re so excited,” April said. “We’ve been driving 30 minutes to shop in Pell City or Trussville, and this store cut’s that drive in half.”

Customers crowded the entrance shortly before the store’s opening at 7 a.m. to hear from store representatives and local officials including Moody Mayor Joe Lee, who said the ceremony marked a 10-year personal effort to bring a top-tier grocer to the city.

“We went through many different developers to get to this point, and we stand here this morning to welcome Publix, which is bringing 140 jobs to our community,” Lee said. “That’s a huge number.”

The City of Moody estimated in its 2016 budget that the store will see $24 million in sales its first year. That translates to a sizable increase in taxes via the City’s development agreement with Barber Companies, the owner of The Village of Moody shopping center.

The agreement states that Publix will pay $310,000 guaranteed sales taxes each year. Beyond that, as part of the developer’s incentive package, the City splits sales taxes 75/25 the first year and 50/50 in years following. Lee estimated that would be a total of approximately $400,000 from Publix alone in 2016 revenue.

“We talk a lot of about cooperation and collaboration in St. Clair County,” said State Rep. Jim Hill, who called Publix the crowning jewel of recent development in the area. “But let me tell you — we’re seeing it right here with those who worked together on the financing package that was necessary to bring Publix to Moody.”

Several during the ceremony credited the work of the City of Moody, the St. Clair County Commission and the St. Clair County Economic Development Council for their efforts.

The store, located in The Village at Moody on U.S. 411 just off I-20 Exit 144, is offering its first 1,000 customers a free Publix re-usable grand opening grocery bag. Shoppers will also be encouraged to register to win prizes throughout the store including a $100 gift card from Publix as well as cakes, deli platters, digital blood pressure kits and fresh products from the meat and seafood departments. Prizes will be given away daily throughout grand opening week.

The Village of Moody Publix will become the 61st Alabama Publix location. The 45,000 square-foot store, with an estimated 140 associates, will have the traditional grocery, dairy and frozen food departments along with a full-service meat department, a seafood counter, popular bakery offerings, a full-service deli and a full-service pharmacy.

The store is located at 2200 Village Drive. Regular hours will be 7 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week.