Children’s Museum of Atlanta is set to unveil a refreshed Fundamentally Food exhibit next month. With support from Publix Super Markets Charities, the Museum will debut an upgraded Publix grocery store on Saturday, Oct. 4. The reimagined exhibit goes beyond pretend shopping, inviting children to gain confidence, learn collaboration and explore creativity every step of the way.

For over a decade, the pint-sized Publix has long been one of the Museum’s most popular experiences, where kids grab mini-carts, shop the shelves and role-play everyday routines of their caregivers. Children's Museum of Atlanta debuted the exhibit in 2015 as one of the first children’s museums in the Southeast to partner with Publix Charities for this type of store. Now, as grocery store exhibits have grown in popularity in children's museums nationwide, Atlanta's updated experience will bring new ways to play and learn.

This fall, the familiar space is expanding with new features and a stronger farm-to-table focus. A sweeping farm mural will anchor the redesign, while additions like self-checkout lanes, a floral department, a pizza-making station and mini-PubSubs modernize the experience.

“If you’ve ever had a child cling tightly to a mini-shopping cart here, you understand the power of this space,” said Edwin Link, executive director of Children’s Museum of Atlanta. “Publix Charities makes it possible for us to refresh this experience so more children can learn, play and grow through one of our most popular exhibits.”

The transformation also doubles down on the power of learning through play. Beyond shopping, children will practice skills like sharing, problem-solving and working together – all while discovering how to build a nutritious plate, measure with cups and quarts and recognize foods that reflect Atlanta’s cultural diversity. The updated selection will have families spotting foods that connect to immigrant and Indigenous cultures, including egg rolls, fry bread, conchas and polvorones.

The Museum closed Tuesday, Sept. 23, to prepare for the renovation and reopens Thursday, Sept. 25. While the grocery store will remain closed through Oct. 3, the rest of the Museum will be open for guests to enjoy.

For more information on exhibits and programming, visit childrensmuseumatlanta.org.