If you drive U.S. 17 through Leland, you have probably watched the site at Kingsbridge Road change month by month. That construction is Leland Village, a Publix-anchored shopping center, and the tenant list announced this summer gives a clear picture of what is coming to northern Brunswick County. Here is what we know, where the information comes from, and what it means if you own a home nearby or are thinking about buying in Leland.
What Leland Village Is
According to WilmingtonBiz (Aug. 19, 2026), Leland Village is a shopping center of nearly 132,000 square feet on a 25-acre site at the intersection of U.S. 17 and Kingsbridge Road. The developer is Atlanta-based Branch Properties, which closed on the site in the spring of 2026. With its latest round of leases, the center was reported as 93% leased.
The anchor is a Publix Super Market, which the developer says is slated to open in early 2027. WECT (Aug. 25, 2026) also reported the center’s early-2027 debut.
Who Is Coming
Based on the developer’s announcements as reported by WilmingtonBiz, the tenant mix includes:
- Grocery: Publix
- Junior anchors: Marshalls and Ulta Beauty
- Dining: First Watch, Qdoba, Wingstop, Domino’s Pizza, and Handel’s Ice Cream, which WilmingtonBiz noted would be a first for the Wilmington area
- Services and health: Chase Bank, Heartland Dental, EmergeOrtho, Glo MedSpa, Sport Clips, and a nail salon
- Retail and fitness: Hollywood Feed, Mattress Firm, and FS8 Pilates
Tenant lists can shift before a center opens, so treat this as the plan as announced, not a guarantee of every storefront.
What It Means for Nearby Homeowners
Convenience is a real part of home value
For many buyers we work with in Leland, the first question after “How is the commute?” is “Where is the closest grocery store?” A new full-service grocery store plus everyday services like a bank, dentist, and orthopedic clinic within a short drive is the kind of convenience that shows up in how buyers feel about a neighborhood. We would not promise a specific price bump from any one shopping center, but easier errands are something buyers notice and ask about.
Traffic near the intersection will change
The trade-off with any busy center is traffic. Expect more turning movements and stop-and-go around U.S. 17 and Kingsbridge Road once stores open, especially at the grocery store’s peak hours and on weekends. If you are looking at a home very close to the intersection, drive it at different times of day before you make an offer, and think about how you would get in and out of your neighborhood.
The developer is betting on Leland’s growth
Branch Properties said in its release that the 3-mile trade area around the center has more than 23,000 residents with an average household income of nearly $107,000. That is the developer’s own figure, but it lines up with what we see on the ground: northern Brunswick County keeps adding households, and national retailers are following them.
How It Fits Leland’s Bigger Picture
Leland Village is one piece of a corridor that is still being shaped. The town’s comprehensive plan, Leland 2045, was certified by the state on July 23, 2025, according to the N.C. Division of Coastal Management. In October, Port City Daily’s meeting agenda roundup (Oct. 12, 2026) listed a continued public hearing on a Highway 17 overlay zoning amendment before Leland Town Council. Overlay rules like that can affect what the rest of the corridor looks like, from building design to access points, so they are worth following if you live near U.S. 17.
Leland Village is also part of a broader pattern of Publix-anchored centers in Brunswick County. Branch Properties is developing the Commons at Carolina Shores in Calabash as well, according to the same WilmingtonBiz report.
Tips If You Are Buying Near U.S. 17 in Leland
- Map your daily routes. Check how you would reach U.S. 17, the bridges into Wilmington, and schools from the specific home, not just the neighborhood name.
- Look at what is approved, not just what is built. Vacant land near a home may already have plans. The Town of Leland and Brunswick County planning departments are the best places to check.
- Ask about HOA rules and fees. Many Leland neighborhoods have HOAs with their own amenities and rules, and those matter as much as a nearby store.
- Do not skip flood and insurance homework. Even inland Leland neighborhoods can include areas near creeks and wetlands. Get insurance quotes during your due diligence period.
Tips If You Are Selling Nearby
If your home is a short drive from Leland Village, it is fair to mention the upcoming Publix and new dining options in your listing, as long as you describe them accurately as planned and give the expected timing. Buyers appreciate honesty, and a listing that overpromises an opening date can backfire.
FAQ
Where is Leland Village?
It is at the intersection of U.S. 17 and Kingsbridge Road in Leland, as reported by WilmingtonBiz.
When will Publix at Leland Village open?
The developer has said the Publix is slated to open in early 2027. Exact dates for Publix and the other tenants have not been announced in the reports we reviewed.
Will Leland Village raise home values nearby?
No one can promise that. New shopping and services tend to make an area more convenient, which buyers value, but home prices depend on many factors, including interest rates, inventory, and the condition of each home.
Is Leland still a good place to buy?
It depends on your budget, commute, and lifestyle. Leland offers a mix of established and newer neighborhoods, and growth like this brings both convenience and more traffic. We are happy to walk you through the trade-offs for specific areas.
Thinking About Leland?
Whether you are buying near the new shopping center or wondering how it affects the value of the home you already own, we can help you look at the details street by street. Contact Aspyre Collective to talk through your options in Leland and across Brunswick County.
