For Publix, at the end of the quest, victory:

The Town Council has granted Publix’s request for expanded construction hours so the supermarket chain can get its new store built as quickly as possible.

Publix plans to demolish the existing store in April and build a larger one that is scheduled to open on Dec. 19, 2011. But Publix officials say they couldn’t meet that schedule when construction is only allowed from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The council agreed Wednesday to allow workers to assemble at the job site as early as they like, and perform noisy construction from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. from the April 25 start through May 30.

On June 1, construction hours will expand to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. because fewer residents are in town. The expanded schedule will last until the shell of the new store is built, estimated for June 28.

It’s interesting to note that the construction during these expended hours will take place near Sunrise and Sunset Streets!

Readers of this blog will note that the Publix market in Palm Beach is a favourite subject of mine.  The controversy around its original construction in 1971 is the basis for my “Christmas” piece The Event of the Season, and, although the original opening wasn’t at Christmastime, the new one (assuming they can stick to the schedule) will be.

It’s still a great example of why the ordinary is still important, even in an extraordinary place.