People told Publix Super Markets founder George W. Jenkins that there was no way he could extend the Publix culture into a chain of supermarkets. Even 50 or 100 would be too many, they believed. What made the stores special—the friendly customer service, the community connection, the promote-from-within preference, the product selection and high store operations standards—could not be routinely duplicated in so many stores, they thought.

But they were wrong.

Today, Publix is celebrating its 85th year in business, and the Lakeland, Florida-based grocery chain has been recognized as The Shelby Report’s 2015 Southeast Retailer of the Year.

We hope you enjoy the 56-page special section, which appears below and in the December 2015 print edition of The Shelby Report of the Southeast, that honors Publix, its culture and its employees.