New Shopping Center Coming to Hwy 17
What's Coming to Carolina Shores and Calabash, NC
If you drive Highway 17 through Carolina Shores or Calabash, you have probably noticed the construction picking up. A new retail development is underway at the corner of Highway 17 and Calabash Road NW, and it is bringing some big changes to this part of Brunswick County. Here is what is actually happening and what it could mean if you live nearby or are thinking about buying in the area.
What's Being Built
The anchor of the project is a new Publix grocery store, which will sit at the northwest corner of Calabash Road and Highway 17. Publix signed a lease for the site back in 2023, and the town approved the site plan in 2024. The store itself will run somewhere in the range of 45,000 to 47,000 square feet, and it is expected to open sometime in 2026.
Just up the road, a Walmart Supercenter is also under construction. Site work and building activity are already underway, with an opening also targeted for 2026. Between the two, this stretch of Highway 17 is turning into a real shopping hub for southern Brunswick County.
More Than Just Two Big Stores
The approved site plan includes room for five commercial lots and two additional retail spaces on either side of the Publix building, plus close to 400 parking spaces. Several more retail spots in the surrounding plaza are still available, which means more businesses will likely be announced as construction continues. Cutty's Pizza, a local favorite from nearby Little River, has already announced plans to relocate into the new development. Residents in the area have also speculated about a Wawa joining the mix, though nothing has been confirmed yet.
Traffic and Road Improvements
Growth like this always raises questions about traffic, and Highway 17 residents have been vocal about it. The approved plans include dedicated left and right turn lanes at the Highway 17, Country Club Road, and Calabash Road NW intersection to help traffic move more smoothly. Some residents still feel Highway 17 itself needs wider lanes to fully handle the added congestion, and that conversation is likely to continue as the stores get closer to opening.
What This Means If You Live or Buy Here
New grocery stores and retail almost always change how a neighborhood feels day to day. For Carolina Shores and Calabash, this development means groceries, dining, and everyday errands will be closer to home instead of requiring a longer drive. It is also a sign of how much this corner of Brunswick County is growing, which is worth knowing whether you already live here or are considering a move to the area.
For buyers relocating to the Calabash and Carolina Shores area, this kind of growth is often a good sign. New retail and grocery anchors tend to bring more services, more jobs, and more demand for housing nearby. If you are exploring homes in this part of Brunswick County, I would be happy to talk through how this development might affect specific neighborhoods you are considering.
Cathy Cagno, Owner/Broker in Charge/REALTOR, Local To Coastal Realty, Inc.
336-516-4136 | localtocoastalrealty.com
