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Introducing a salute to ‘backbone of our industry’

On the following pages, Shelby Publishing is proud to present its second annual Exceptional Independents Awards.

Nominations were open to independent retailers, wholesalers, technology and other service providers.

“Independents are the backbone of our industry, and this awards program is an opportunity to recognize them for their contributions,” said Stephanie Reid, Shelby president and COO. “Independents are a vital part of their communities and lead the way in caring for their customers. Our Exceptional Independents Awards shine a light on these businesses that continue to help feed our communities.”

Coverage of the award winners will appear by region in the March 2024 editions of The Shelby Report of the Midwest, The Shelby Report of the Southeast, The Shelby Report of the Southwest, The Shelby Report of the West and The Griffin Report of the Northeast. Awards winners also will be featured on theshelbyreport.com.

Boulineau’s Foods Plus

Boulineau’s is a unique collection of shops anchored

by North Myrtle Beach’s largest grocery store with everything a beach-goer needs, from groceries and prepared foods to fishing tackle.

Located in the Cherry Grove section of town and occupying more than four square blocks, with some 175,000 square feet of retail shopping, Boulineau’s has grown to become the heartbeat of Cherry Grove.

For more than 60 years, Boulineau’s has served the community with a deep commitment to customers’ needs through years of hard work, integrity and a passion for the best in service.

  Castle Retail Group Cash Saver is a cost-plus food outlet and promises a whole new way to save on groceries in Memphis.

Every item is priced at cost to get the product from the source to the shelf, then the company adds just 10 percent at checkout. The result is the guaranteed overall lowest prices in the area and a shopper’s card or membership fee is not required.

The company keeps the cost of operating its stores low with lower rent, no fancy décor and less advertising.

Shoppers never have to sacrifice quality at Cash Saver to save money. In addition to trusted

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national brands, it offers Best Choice and Always Save private labels, which are recognized for their quality and value.

Cash Saver’s produce is triple inspected – at the field, distribution center and in-store. It also features Certified Angus Beef, 100 percent natural Sanderson Farms Chicken and USDA-inspected pork and seafood. And it offers a 100-percent money-back guarantee.

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MARCH 2024 • THE SHELBY REPORT OF THE SOUTHEAST

Dyer Foods With an entrepreneurial spirit and extensive portfolio of grocery stores, restaurants and hardware stores, Save A Lot retail partner Joey Hays exemplifies vision, persistence and creativity. These qualities have developed over his more than 40 years in the grocery business.

What started as a part-time job at a grocery store in his hometown of Dyer, Tennessee, developed his passion for the business that still exists today. He saw the impact the store had on his community through the regular customers who came in to stock up on essentials. Their appreciation for the store team’s work helped him understand that what he was doing was much more than stocking shelves or checking customers out – he was working to provide for the community, for customers’ family and friends.

It was their recognition of the hard work he and his teammates put in, and the difference it was making in the town, that turned his part-time job into a passion for serving others.

From that first job, Hays opened his first grocery store in Dyer in 1981. While running it, he understood the importance of doing whatever he could to serve his customers despite challenges. When a truck didn’t arrive on time or didn’t come at all, Hays still had to make

to serve the community.

After setting a foundation with his first store, Hays wanted to grow the business, adding new stores over the years to his portfolio of conventional grocery, retail and restaurants.

In 2014, Hays acquired three Save A Lot locations in Tennessee, his first opportunity to enter the limited assortment grocery industry. He believed the Save A Lot model of limited assortment, smaller box stores and value price points were assets for success. Hays also liked the clarity of programs offered and the pricing structure.

He was impressed by how loyal customers were to the private label brands because they helped them save money while still bringing home quality food. Five years later, he added a fourth store to his ownership, managing locations in Covington, Millington, Dyersburg and Brownsville, Tennessee.

These stores continue to be successful by, among other factors, utilizing a popular one-day meat sale event calendar.

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Frenvey Inc. The pride that Mike and Mark Boris have in their Save A Lot stores is translated in their staying power and success.

With six Save A Lot locations throughout northwest Florida, as well as an IGA, they understand they must always provide fresh, full, friendly and clean shopping experiences to win over customers.

All their stores are in towns with populations between 6,000 and 10,000.

In many of their markets, they compete with at least one other grocery store and possibly a Walmart that sits between two to three towns.

What sets the Boris brothers stores apart from the big box retailers is their commitment to their people. They employ 220 people across their seven stores and

the best of the situation, opening his doors

are known for continuously investing in development opportunities.

Whether it’s training a cashier on other parts of the store or helping their managers better understand the business, the Boris brothers take care of their employees. They promote from within, which is evident by the number of longterm employees, some who have been with them for over 40 years.

One of the best examples of the kind of commitment the Boris brothers make to their people came during Hurricane Idalia. Even though they’ve seen their fair share of hurricanes, the urgency with this one increased as they saw it heading straight for three of their stores.

One of their assistant managers,

Lynette Barton, was concerned her home near the Chiefland store wouldn’t provide safe shelter through the storm. She asked Mike Boris if she and her family could stay overnight at the store. Without hesitation Boris told her, “By all means.”

Armed with air mattresses, blankets, TVs, movies, games and an electric griddle, Barton and her family hunkered down in the store. “It was like camping out at Save A Lot,” she said.

To help pass the time while they waited out the storm, Barton and her family worked. Her son, daughter and son–in-law all pitched in. They blocked, set out the week’s price changes and did what they could to ensure the store would be ready for customers the next day.

Despite losing power a few times during the night, Barton and her family were safe during the storm. When the morning manager arrived at 8 a.m. the next day, they were impressed by the work Barton and her family did to help customers.

Barton credits the generosity of the Boris family as one of the many reasons she and her family worked so hard while staying there overnight.

  Fresh Value Supermarkets Gerry D’Alessandro, CEO of Fresh Value, was named the Retailer of the Year in 2023 by the Alabama Grocers Association.

Born and raised in Birmingham, D’Alessandro was immersed in the world of retail, working at his family’s grocery store in Bessemer. From an early age, he wasn’t just watching the business from the sideline, he was in the thick of it, bagging groceries.

By age 25, his entrepreneurial spirit, honed by years of

Holt’s IGA The Independent Grocers Alliance has announced Dan Holt, owner of Holt’s IGA in Fayetteville, Tennessee, and Joe Lauria, grocery manager, as one of nine 2024 IGA USA Retailers of the Year.

The small community grocer has a big mission to provide fresh food in a well-stocked, clean and friendly store day-in and day-out, and Holt and the team have lived up to the challenge every day since 2016, when Holt took over operations. Customers have learned to count on Holt’s IGA as their primary source for fresh food, and the IGA banner is a big part of the store’s success.

Holt’s impact has made a mark in the community

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firsthand experience, propelled him to take a significant step – he purchased the family store (originally named Fourth Avenue) from his father and uncle. The location was founded by his grandfather in 1951.

With D’Alessandro’s ownership, the single store in Bessemer morphed into a chain of 14 Fresh Value supermarkets (three of which are Meat Depot by Fresh Value) that spread across Alabama. His stores can be found in rural, suburban and urban communities. The stores range from 15,000-55,000 square feet.

  beyond groceries. Flintville School Principal David Golden praised the grocer’s contributions to local education.

“I can’t say enough about Dan Holt and IGA,” Golden said. “From the time I arrived at Flintville School 14 years ago, we have not had a bigger supporter. He has constantly provided donations to help improve our facilities and our school culture.

“When we remodeled our gym, we did not have enough money to purchase a new scoreboard. Mr. Holt and IGA happily, without hesitation, donated two scoreboards for the gym, with each one costing over $8,000.

Not only has Mr. Holt donated to our school but has donated gift cards to support local anti-drug programs.”

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MARCH 2024 • THE SHELBY REPORT OF THE SOUTHEAST

Houchens Food Group As Save A Lot’s largest retail partner, Houchens Food Group is a standout operator. With 90 Save A Lot locations across eight states, it employs about 1,500 people – often serving as the largest employer in a small rural town.

Outstanding sales and operations are the hallmarks of Houchens’ stores. Over the last three years, they have fully updated and remodeled 88 locations, including 23 this year, delivering an upgraded shopping experience for customers with new equipment, flooring, paint and décor and hot deals for customers.

Even more notable is their commitment to community in every store.

Houchens stores stand out in Save A Lot’s annual Bags for a Brighter Holiday program. In 2022, the group sold 49,419 bags of food, all of which were donated to local families. Eight locations sold more than 1,000 bags each, receiving incremental monetary donations from Save A Lot to amplify the impact.

Several stores partnered with local police and fire

departments through Cram the Cruiser and Cram the Fire Truck events, filling vehicles with food for donation.

In addition, seven locations sold Toys for Tots Train Pin-Ups, raising $10,000 for the charity.

After devastating flooding in Eastern Kentucky in 2022 damaged two Houchens stores and impacted many associates, the company pledged a $120,000 donation to the Foundation for Appalachia Kentucky to help recovery efforts. Save A Lot customers and associates throughout their 90 stores also raised $45,000 for the American Red Cross.

In February, Houchens gave away three truckloads

Houchen’s - Price Less IGA The Independent Grocers Alliance has announced Tim Forshee, store manager of Price Less IGA store No. 484, as one of nine 2024 IGA USA Retailers of the Year.

The Retailer of the Year awards are the highest honors IGA bestows upon its retailer members. They are presented annually to grocers who have best provided leadership and excellence in their communities.

Forshee said his team’s commitment has contributed to their positive sales increase of 13.89 percent over the past

Isom’s IGA

($300,000) of personal protection equipment (gloves, hand sanitizers and face masks) throughout the Kentucky market.

In their Hazard, Kentucky, store, the team sponsors an annual Race Days event, combining a car show with charitable components. Before the event, the store sells “Race Against Hunger bags,” donating them to the local hospice care center. At the event, proceeds from food trucks and an auction (averaging $35,000 each year) are donated to a local family or two in need.

In Scottsville, Kentucky, a similar Old-Fashioned Day event combines a classic car show, games, cookout and a charity auction, with all proceeds going to the Center for Courageous Kids, a charity that sponsors camps for special needs children. Seventeen stores across the division raised $26,915.06 for the charity. The team also spent a day of service putting together over 100 bunk beds in preparation of the summer camping season.

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year.

Price Less IGA No. 484 has also partnered with various community-oriented organizations, including Soky Patriots, which ensures school children have access to nourishing meals; the Stuff the Bus Foundation, which collects funds locally to provide school supplies to children; and the St. Teresa Food Pantry, which fights food insecurity.

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Isom IGA has worked hard to come back better than ever after experiencing devastating flooding in 2022. Isom IGA cares for their community and makes a difference every day in the lives of their shoppers.

KJ’s Market

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The Independent Grocers Alliance has announced Debbie Jacques Malone, store manager of KJ’s store No. 605 in Greenwood, South Carolina, as one of nine 2024 IGA USA Retailers of the Year. Malone has been employed with W. Lee Flowers for three years, joining the team when the wholesaler acquired BI-LO Stores from SEG. She has over 38 years of retail experience, holding many positions over the years including fresh department manager, customer service manager and store manager.

She shares that experience and knowledge with her team to help them grow in their roles, developing and cross-training employees to keep her store staffed and operating efficiently. Malone’s leadership and passion for employees is evident in how her team speaks of her, noting that working with her is like “working with family.”

Malone and the KJ’s Market team are a valued part of the Greenwood community, offering the Bags for Hunger program; a hydration drive for two local high schools, in which guests purchase water and Gatorade to donate to their favorite high school team; cake walks; Trick or Treat night; and snow cones for guest appreciation day. KJ’s Market also partners with the local Pathway house and many churches in the area.

W. Lee Flowers named the Greenwood location Store of the Year for District 3, earning the title for consistent conditions and outstanding execution of merchandising plans in all departments.

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MARCH 2024 • THE SHELBY REPORT OF THE SOUTHEAST

Long’s Pic Pac Over the past couple of years, Long and his team have kept their shoppers front of mind when dealing with times of high inflation. Even when it had to increase some prices due to inflation, Long’s Pic Pac made sure to give shoppers more rewards and opportunities to save.

Mike Long, owner and general manager of Long’s Pic Pac in Pineville, Kentucky is dedicated to his community.

Long’s Pic Pac has been in the Long family for two (soon to be three) generations, which has allowed for the store to grow deep roots in the community and with shoppers.

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Mary’s Produce Marian Evans cares about the health and wealth of her community in north Florida, giving fresh fruits and vegetables daily. Many of the customers gravitate to the freshness and the beauty of her produce with wisdom in knowing how to prepare and construct a great family meal.

Coming from many perspectives of customers, Mary’s Produce has always been a great instrument to the community and many churches. Her establishment has supplied many organizations, homes and bereaved families with great fruits and veggies.

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Naifeh’s Food Stores Judson Naifeh is a fourth-generation grocer in rural West Tennessee. He and his wife, Dana, own two locations in Tipton County. One store is in Covington and the other in Munford.

The Covington store is a cost-plus format, Naifeh’s Cash Saver. The Munford store is a traditional format store, Naifeh’s Food Market. Together they operate as Naifeh’s Food Stores.

He and the team at Naifeh’s were a vital part of keeping the community supplied during COVID-19 in 2020. Also, in the middle of the pandemic, he bought out the Kroger in Covington, totally remodeled it, moved across the street and doubled that location in size. He has always been committed to staying up to date and investing in the latest technology. He recently was the first in his area to install digital shelf tags. He and his

Piggly Wiggly Hilton Head David Martin started in the grocery business at age 9 in his father’s store and took over as the owner and operator in 1995.

He and his wife, Chris, work to ensure that the growth and success of the business parallel that of those around them. His focus is to ensure that the store’s environment reflects a family warmth, and he dedicates time to make sure each employee feels valued.

Martin shows his younger employees how their responsibilities at work are their piece of ownership to the store while teaching them financial and investment tactics that will carry them into adulthood. He creates a collaborative space for full-time employees so they can take pride in their growth and contributions.

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family have made a commitment to giving back to their community since 1910.

His son, Oney Naifeh, recently graduated from the University of Tennessee. He has joined his father in the family business as the fifth generation. The Naifeh family is committed to their community and the grocery industry.

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His store is located in a small beach town that relies heavily on community involvement. He continues to be involved in charitable work. He provides donations to Sandalwood Food Pantry, the Deep Well Project, Volunteers In Medicine, Heritage Academy Garden and Hydroponics, Hilton Head schools’ booster clubs and other organizations, and sits on the South Island Public Service Board.

Martin changed his life in 1987 and it lit a passion. He is a board member of the Lowcountry Alliance for Healthy Youth and personally led multiple initiatives, including high school outreach groups, developing a program to educate local businesses about underage drinking laws and banning the sale of tobacco products in his store.

He started and continues to support the “Bagging for Bucks” program. Local community groups bag groceries for donations and have raised more than $400,000 for high school athletic programs.

He has been there for his community through numerous natural disasters. He has opened his store without power after hurricanes to ensure the community had access to food, and he fed first responders. He gave his employees bonuses in recognition of their tireless efforts long before the concept of pandemic bonuses made the news.

One of the greatest lessons his father taught him was to live life and work as if someone is always watching, because you never know when they are. He continues to live this motto daily. This nomination would be incomplete without recognizing his personality and demeanor.

He has a contagious optimism, an unstoppable positive outlook and is a pleasure to know and work with.

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MARCH 2024 • THE SHELBY REPORT OF THE SOUTHEAST

Piggly Wiggly /JTM Corp.

Sa

Founded by James Thomas “Tommy” Milligan in 1966, the family business began when Milligan, a skilled butcher, seized the opportunity to purchase a small underperforming grocery store instead of it closing down.

Despite initial skepticism, he secured a loan and worked tirelessly, paying off the debt in under two years. Family involvement was ingrained early on, with the children pitching in from a young age.

Expansion came quickly, with a second store acquired in 1969 and subsequent purchases increasing the count to three.

Throughout the 1970s, his children balanced college with work in the stores, learning the ropes alongside their father.

Sons Keith and Gil Milligan eventually took on key roles, specializing in finance

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Pocahontas IGA The Independent Grocers Alliance has announced Rob Hilleary, owner of Pocahontas IGA in Marlinton, West Virginia as one of nine 2024 IGA USA Retailers of the Year.

Hilleary stands out for his remarkable investment in transforming the store since acquiring it on Jan. 1, 2021. Previously the store manager, Hilleary’s initiatives have brought a fresh and modern appeal to the establishment.

The revitalization journey began with new vinyl flooring. This aesthetic upgrade set the tone for further improvements, as a new decor package was introduced as well. Simultaneously, Hilleary oversaw the complete renovation of the restrooms, aligning them with contemporary standards.

Operational efficiency received a boost with the installation of a new POS system and

and operations, respectively. The company thrived through strategic acquisitions, growing to 17 stores.

Today, with nearly 800 employees, the Phenix City, Alabama-based company prioritizes growth and considers them part of the extended family. The third generation has joined the ranks, contributing to various aspects of the business.

The company’s philosophy centers on providing exceptional value, fresh products and a personalized experience, offering an alternative to large corporations. As it continues to expand, the commitment to family values and community remains unwavering.

self-checkout. Looking forward, plans are in place to replace all antiquated refrigerated cases throughout the store. In addition, Hilleary secured a license to sell alcohol, a significant development marking a first since the store’s inception in 1974.

Hilleary’s commitment to innovation extends to customer experience, evident in the dedicated person managing the loyalty program in collaboration with Appcard, along with the seamless integration of online shopping through FreshOp. Beyond the business realm, Hilleary’s community involvement is noteworthy. Actively promoting careers in the grocery industry, he participates in high school career day. In the spirit of community engagement, Hilleary joins the town’s parade and spreads joy by distributing Christmas presents to children during Santa visits.

Publix

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Lakeland, Florida-based Publix, the largest employee-owned company in the U.S., with more than 250,000 associates, operates 1,367 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky.

For 26 consecutive years, the company has been recognized by Fortune as a great place to work. It also was named The Shelby Report of the Southeast’s Growth Leader of the Year in 2023.

Rouses

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Rouses was started by Anthony J. Rouse Sr., “Mr. Tony,” in 1960. It is now one of the largest independent grocers and fastest growing family-owned companies in the United States. Donny Rouse, the current CEO, is the third generation to run the company.

Rouses has more than 7,000 employees and serve customers across three states: Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Rouses has 64 stores: 53 in Louisiana, three on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and eight in Lower Alabama.

Rouses’ strength is its ability to know customers. The company’s seafood, meat and produce departments are unique to the area. They strive to provide what customers want and need.

Supplied by Associated Wholesale Grocers’ Pearl River division, Rouses is about more than just good prices. The company values its customers, vendors and teams and is an excellent corporate citizen.

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THE SHELBY REPORT OF THE SOUTHEAST • MARCH 2024

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Saver Group Doing right by customers, community and vendors is at the center of what makes the Saver Group so special. Walk into any of its 39 Save A Lot stores across Kentucky, Ohio or North Carolina, and owners Larry Noe and Dale and Wendell Combs will say they are there to work together as a team to serve those communities and the people who call them home. Taking care of people is something Noe, the Combs and their teams do like no other.

In July 2022, a record-setting flood devastated communities across Eastern Kentucky.

Flash flooding of the Brushy Fork Creek left dozens of families displaced as water rushed into their homes. In the small town of Carlisle, population about 2,000, several people were without their homes in an instant.

Like many other businesses in town, Save A Lot sustained extensive water damage, making it impossible to keep it open. With one of the only sources of fresh, affordable groceries closed indefinitely until the team could get the store operational, many residents had to travel more than 20 miles to the next largest town to get food.

This was devastating for residents as well as for the entire Saver Group team, which was keen to work as fast as possible to get the store back up and operational.

With all the structural damage to the building, the only path forward meant demolishing it and finding a new site. However, moving forward became increasingly challenging as the Saver Group realized when clearing the new site location that it wouldn’t be as easy as anticipated.

After debris removal started, the construction crew found a large amount of bedrock on the site, which meant delays as it was removed. But the Saver Group was persistent and committed to the Carlisle community to get the Save A Lot back and operational.

In May 2023, just 10 months from the day of the flood, the Saver Group held a grand re-opening event at the new Carlisle store to mark this milestone for the community.

What makes this store so special for the Saver Group team is it illustrates the power of teamwork and commitment to customers and the Carlisle community.

Since the Carlisle store is a brand-new build, it enabled the Saver Group to give Carlisle a state-ofthe-art store featuring the latest technology. And customers have responded positively.

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Stepherson Inc./Superlo Foods Established in 1944 by the Stepherson brothers (Jack, Wesley and Kenneth), Stepherson Inc. is a local and 100-percent employee-owned business serving Memphis. From humble beginnings, the company has grown to operate eight Superlo Foods and one Stepherson’s location, committed to delivering top-notch quality, service and selection at affordable prices.

Since 1948, it has been a staple in East Memphis, expanding to locations such as Poplar-Perkins and Poplar-Colonial. In 1981, the company established a location at 4744 Spottswood. Similarly, its presence in the Macon Road and Graham Street area since 1950 has evolved, with the current location at 3942 Macon Road built in 1960.

The expansion into the Superlo Foods concept began in 2000, growing steadily to serve communities such as North Memphis, Frayser and Hickory Hill. In 2010, the company transitioned to an employee-owned corporation, fostering a sense of ownership among all team members.

In 2011, it centralized operations with a new warehouse and office on American Way, enabling it to streamline processes and maintain competitive pricing. Further expansion took the company to Southaven, Mississippi, in 2012 with Superlo Foods No. 5 on Goodman, and continued within Memphis with Superlo Foods No. 6 on Quince, Superlo Foods No. 7 in 2017 on South Perkins and Superlo Foods No. 8 in 2019 on Lamar Avenue.

Committed to community well-being, it offers a Community Rewards program, where donations up to 3 percent of purchases can go to registered tax-exempt organizations. At Stepherson Inc., the focus remains on serving communities with quality products, competitive prices and ongoing reinvestment.

Todos Inc.

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Todos Neighborhood Market goes to great lengths to secure the supply of inventory to serve its ever-changing diverse community. The aim is to be a one-stop shop institution.

On the other hand, Todos cooperates with local officials and institutions to help disseminate information to the entire community in English and Spanish.

Todos is partnering with the Prince William County, Virginia, school system in a program called EXPLORE, donating office space and cooperation to provide high school students with special needs an opportunity to experiment and develop work abilities so they can become productive citizens. Todos has given a job to one student, so the rest can follow the path of possibility.

It has become part of Todos’ corporate culture to promote within the ranks, and it is always looking for opportunities to help team members climb the corporate ladder.

Wright’s Market

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Not only is Wright’s Market a cherished IGA member, the hometown grocer in Opelika, Alabama, has been a pillar of the community for many years. When the spectre of inflation began to loom in June 2022, the store’s owner, Jimmy Wright, sprang into action, developing several innovative strategies to ensure the satisfaction of customers and dedicated employees.

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Given that a significant portion of his shopper base relies on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, maintaining affordable grocery offerings was of paramount importance to Wright.

These measures, introduced in three waves, have led to increased sales, delighted customers and a fully-staffed store – a testament to Wright’s commitment to his community and drive to uncover innovative solutions to the problems facing customers.

Wright’s methods to combat inflation and retain staff in 2023 resulted in: a 14-15 percent lift in comps, 100-percent employee retention and an increased average basket size of $45.

Wright saw an additional sales increase of 2-3 percent. Despite rising inflation, Wright said the store has outpaced food inflation by about 4-5 percent over the last year, indicating true growth rather than simply riding the inflation wave.

Sales were up 18 percent from 2022. Wright said the strategy may seem risky, but it allows him to keep prices low on core items for those SNAP recipients while making back profit on less essential items.

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Zuppardo’s Zuppardo’s Family Market is the oldest self-service supermarket in the New Orleans area. It has been a family tradition for more than five generations, working together with dedicated employees to provide superior products and memorable service.

Zuppardo’s core value is service, and it always has one of the owners at the store during operating hours.

The company’s mission statement is, “It makes a difference when the owners are there, a big difference.” The family believes that customer service is the No. 1 priority,

from the time guests enter the parking lot to when they leave. The goal is to have 100-percent service level, and no one waits in line.

Cashiers are always on standby, ready to open additional lanes when guests are ready to check out. If a guest is looking for an item that is not in stock, or not a stock item for the store, staff will check on availability and find a way to get it.

The focus is on fresh produce, floral, meat, seafood and full-service deli/cafe/catering, along with a large

selection of grab-and-go meals.

Zuppardo’s carries on a tradition of fast and friendly service. It offers the fastest checkout in town without the hassle of long lines. Employees will also take groceries out to the car for shoppers. The professional staff is always eager to assist in any way possible.

Zuppardo’s knows that price is important, not just on one or two specials but by getting the best value possible for shoppers’ weekly grocery needs.

  Piggly Wiggly Eutaw, Alabama In 2001, Jacky Hamilton took over ownership of what would become the Piggly Wiggly in Eutaw, Alabama. The property, which he owned, had been a Giant Foods from 1993-2001, and A&P prior to that.

Hamilton, who had spent 39 years with Kroger, has since doubled the store’s sales. And Eutaw is now a one-store town after he bought out the lone competitor in 2021.

Hamilton serves on the board of directors for Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Co. The store in Eutaw is managed by Ernie Halper, Hamilton’s lifelong friend, who has worked at that site (and for the previous tenants) for 52 years.

  Piggly Wiggly Food For Less The McDaniel brothers, Cody and Kevin, own and operate eight Piggly Wiggly Food For Less stores in South Georgia and North Florida. With 35 years of experience, they are second-generation retailers who lead a unique concept in the industry.

The business started with their father, Ralph McDaniel.

“He saved every penny he had ever earned from 25 years of logging and put it in a small store in Sneads, Florida,” Cody McDaniel said.

Today, they operate Cost Plus format stores that strive to be an extreme value shopping experience for their customers.

Kevin McDaniel recounted his favorite line from one shopper over the years: “This is where you can buy your groceries and still have enough money to pay the rent.”

Quality is never compromised for a lower price. “We strive to be different where possible and lower priced where we are the same,” Cody McDaniel said. “But we never compromise on quality.

“When it comes to quality, we have to be as good or

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better than our competition, while maintaining a pricing edge.”

That is not an easy proposition, but it is a major commitment that they have made to their customers.

Unlike traditional Cost Plus stores, they carry many name brands at competitive prices thanks to a strong relationship with manufacturers and brokers.

“The community of suppliers we partner with have trust in our pricing performance and our ability to move product. Trust is a key factor in building relationships,” Kevin McDaniel said.

By minimizing overhead cost and targeting underserved communities, the McDaniels have turned overlooked areas into profitable stores offering deep discount prices. Their commitment to sourcing quality products and building strategic partnerships allows them to compete with any major retailer, providing essential high-quality perishables and essential grocery services to communities in need.

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