22 A
Tri-County news • New Holstein Area Progress 2017 • Thursday, March 30, 2017
Cute, tasty, experienced
Several new additions at Blattner’s Piggly Wiggly By Mark Sherry Three new things in the past year at Blattner’s Piggly Wiggly in New Holstein could be described with the corresponding words cute, tasty, and experienced—but just make sure the right connections are made. The “cute” is the baby boy which store manager Jack Blattner and wife Taylor had about 3-1/2 months ago. Residents of New Holstein for the past two years, Jack said they are looking forward to raising their son—and any more children who might come along—in New Holstein. “It’s a great community,” he said. The baby’s name, by the way, is John Paul, and that connects to a “tasty” addition to Blattner’s in the past year. The store’s Meat Department has added new steak products which are drawing great reviews from consumers. Jack said they were searching for a name to put on the products, and John Paul Steaks were born. That leaves “experienced” as the last new addition of the past year at Blattner’s, and it is also in the Meat Department—or, rather, he is also in the Meat Department. Ken Diamond became the new Meat Department manager about two months ago. Former manager Greg Kautzer is still working at Blattner’s but as he winds down toward retirement he has turned over the reins to Diamond. Hoping to relocate Diamond is a Green Bay resident who said he is hoping to relocate his family to the New Holstein area. Having worked in other grocery chains and at another Piggly Wiggly in the past, Diamond is bringing significant experience with him to Blattner’s Piggly Wiggly. Jack said they are pleased with the expanded options Diamond is implementing, and Diamond said he is extremely impressed with the New Holstein store and that he really enjoys working for the Blattner family. Diamond joins two longtime department managers at the New Holstein Piggly Wiggly in Deli/Bakery Manager Bonnie Kautzer and Produce Manager Tom Boldt. Those three managers head up departments which are critical to the success of Blattner’s Piggly Wiggly and really all grocery stores these days. The Blattner family has continued to make improvements in all three departments. The Produce Department has been rearranged in the past year to be “opened up” more for the consumer. In addition, a greater emphasis is being placed on cut, ready to eat fruits and vegetables to make preparation easier for today’s busy consumer. The Bakery Department also has been opened up more for consumers and occupies a prominent spot right at one of the store’s two main entrances. Blattner’s deli continues to be a very popular stop for busy lunch and dinner customers looking for hot and/or cold dishes made fresh daily. Patriarch of the store The patriarch of the Blattner’s Piggly Wiggly stores operating in New Holstein and Sheboygan Falls, John Blattner said he likes the direction the New Holstein store is headed. “We’re really, really trying to improve our fresh Produce Department,” he said. “We want quality. We’re after the repeat sale.” Along those lines the Blattners said they would love to
Ken Diamond (right), the new Meat Department manager at Blattner’s Piggly Wiggly in New Holstein, and Manager Jack Blattner hold a package of John Paul Steaks named after the new baby of Jack and wife Taylor. Mark Sherry photo
be able to purchase and sell more locally grown produce but have not been able to find a lot of vendors offering suitable quantities. Any local growers who might have an interest in working with the store are encouraged to contact Jack. The Blattners said sales were up in 2016. “I think people are figuring out who we are,” John said. “I think we’re being accepted as part of the community.” That said, the Blattners believe there is always room for improvement—both on their end and on that of the consuming public. Since they purchased the New Holstein store a few years ago, these Progress stories have chronicled multiple improvements and changes made to the store by the family. As an example, coming soon will be a new greeting card and gift bag supplier who will offer less expensive options in those items. Another new feature being finalized soon is an expensive upgrade to the checkout equipment at both stores so that the more secure chip credit cards can be read by the systems. As consumers watch the prices ring up on those new screens, it is important for them to note that they are very much in line with what people pay at “big box” grocery stores. While those stores are often adept at offering a few “loss leaders”—products at very low prices to lure shoppers in—there are many other products offered every day at Blattner’s Piggly Wiggly where they beat the competition. Factor in having to drive 25 or more miles to some of those stores and any perceived savings are likely to be long gone. The same holds true with fundraisers. From brat fries hosted at Blattner’s Piggly Wiggly to cake sales conducted by organizations with the help of the store, Blattner’s Piggly Wiggly has been a strong corporate citizen in helping out the community. The Blattners said all they ask is to be given the chance to quote a price on whatever local groups and/or businesses need. “Ninety-five percent of the time I can give you the best price,” John said. The Blattner family has invested much
to remain the New Holstein area’s local grocery store. The message seems simple but it is always worth repeating as John did when he said, “You have to support
your local businesses if you want them to stay around. We love the community. We want to be here forever.”
Investments • Insurance • Estate Planning Since 1977
Financial Advisors
Daniel J. Weber
Karen L. Weber, CPA
Julie J. Woelfel, CPA
PRODUCTS & SERVICES OFFERED • Retirement Planning • Investments • 401(k) Rollovers • Roth IRAs • Education Savings
• Estate Planning • Long Term Care Insurance • Life Insurance • Investment Advisory
2131 Calumet Dr. • P.O. Box 139 • New Holstein, WI 53061
(920) 898-5773 or (800) 236-5773 • www.belkefinancial.com *Securities and advisory services offered through SII Investments, Inc. (SII) member FINRA/SIPC and a Registered Investment Advisor. SII and Belke Financial Group are separate companies. SII does not provide legal or tax advice.