Hang with me, and you’ll get to see all the best parties in town. Case in point– the preview party for the new Cain’s Piggly Wiggly in Spanish Fort. It was an “A-list” crowd for sure.
Here’s the Big-Pig himself with owners Tommy and Sharon Cain, who are not only savvy in the business world, but are just as generous in the real world. Giving back to the community brings them more joy than actually running the business, and the local charities that have benefited from their kindness are too numerous to name.
If there’s one word that describes our Piggly Wiggly stores, it’s, “LOCAL.” I made a bee-line for my all-time favorite Three Georges cheese straws and resisted the temptation to dump the bowl into my pocketbook. That would just be wrong, you know? (and no more A-list for me!).
Then, I ran into my friend Hanson Eskridge from The Fairhope Roasting Co. who was giving out samples of his new cold brew coffee, which is roasted right here in Baldwin County. The coffee is wildly popular around here and I love the addition of the cold brew.
The store actually opens today (Wednesday) and during the preview, the shelves were in the process of being stocked with fresh items like this Black Angus Beef, which locals know is what you want for a successful cook-out.
I also ran into my friend and former Italian Culture Class instructor, Stefano Feo, who along with his charming wife Vitina, import the most fabulous raw olive oil from her family’s farm in Italy, Papa Vince’s Olive Oil. They only import a small amount of the anti-oxident rich oil from Santa Ninfa in Sicily, and Piggly Wiggly is one of the few places you can find the delicious oil.
Another local treat was from Emily’s Gourmet Delights who provided sweets. I didn’t get a photo, but you can also find the popular Cock of the Walk cole slaw at The Pig. I’m not a huge fan of cole slaw, but believe me, you’ll love this salad from the popular restaurant. The local wine distributors were busy stocking the shelves with the famous huge selection Piggly Wiggly offers.
This may have been my favorite new vendor at the party. Angel’s Catering provided beautiful and equally delicious samples of products, One, which you can’t see (sorry, the crowd was “hogging” the table!) was a seafood pizza. A base of seasoned cream cheese was spread thinly over a round tray, then topped with a homemade cocktail sauce and different bits of shrimp, scallops and crab. It was served with crackers and was very unique and delicious! And of course, all the ingredients are available at . . . you know where (oink!).
Strawberries grown in nearby Summerdale have innovative packaging to keep them fresh as long as possible. So smart.
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When you shop at Piggly Wiggly, you know you are supporting your neighbors. The farmers, chefs, small business owners and dreamers. You know you are putting money back into your community, and that feels GREAT!
And tucked behind the Manwich, was the talented Spanish Fort High School Jazz Band. I hope they’ll be playing every day, because isn’t shopping for groceries more fun with live jazz music?
Last, but certainly not least, my favorite chips were front and center. Made in Sweet Home Alabama, Golden Flake hits the spot every time.
If you are in the area, get on up and take a look at the new Spanish Fort Piggly Wiggly. It’s a beautiful store, full of friendly, local folks who would love to meet you!
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Click here for information and directions to the new Spanish Fort Piggly Wiggly.
Loved this post!! We like Piggly Wiggly too. And I would have been right there with you at the Cheese Straw table!! Maybe I should carry a purse just for that purpose!!lol
Hahaha! I’m going to have to watch out for you and beat you to the cheese straw table! My next story I’ll post soon features a story involving cheese straws. Stay tuned!
I’ll have to tell my DIL about this…she may already know. I haven’t been in a Piggly Wiggly in years but I remember as a little girl (a looooooog time ago!) they had little bitty buggies that I would push with mama. Great memories! We’ll be in Spanish Fort in a couple of weekends to celebrate the grandbabies August birthdays.
Oh how fun to come to town for birthday parties! I’m sure you’ll have to make a run to the new Piggly Wiggly at some point for ice cream or something else to indulge and spoil the little ones!
Someday before I die I will grace the aisles of a Piggly Wiggly. Just because its such fun to say. 🙂
I hope you are enjoying every inch of summer.
There was a convenience store franchise in North Florida that named themselves, “Hoggly Woggly.” No kidding.
Enjoy your summer too!
Hi Little Bitty Pretty! Oh, what a wonderful opening for the Piggly Wiggly! When I was a little girl in Alabama my mother shopped there every two weeks! There weren’t any around us where I lived in Texas and not any up here! I had a friend whose last name was Wiggly. Her son’s name was Shawn and she said she and her husband debated on whether to name him Shawn or Piggly! 🙂
Be a sweteie,
Shelia 😉
They could have named him “Squiggly!”
Thanks for the always insightful and delightful comment Shelia!
I love a grocery store opening. I also love the name Piggly Wiggly….always been one of my favorite southern stores.
I have a cousin that when younger would stretch the name of the store into as many syllables as possible. We loved to hear him say, “P-I-GG-UU-HH-LL-YY W-I-GG-UU–HH–LL-Y.”
Piggly Wiggly – the best name for a grocery store, neigh ANY store, ever. We have a new local grocery store – much less cool name – that also carries lots of local produce and products. I’m loving the “shop local” thing!
It makes so much sense to use what’s grown in your own area. Why have we not known that in decades past?
I have to tell you something funny – the first time I ever heard of a Piggly Wiggly was in Driving Miss Daisy and I assumed it was a made up market for the sake of the movie – I laughed my head off at the name they chose !!!
Years later someone mentioned the store and I laughed my head off again – assuming they were jokingly referring to the store in the movie.
Love your Piggly Wiggly and the owners seem like such lovely people
XOXO
How neat that the new grocery offers so many local goods! Great looking store! We had a Piggly Wiggly down the street from us when my daughter was small (it has since changed hands), and she called it the “iggy wiggy!” Memories of that made me smile this morning! 🙂 ~Rhonda
Cheese straws? Those look yummy…I’m wondering if our Piggly Wiggly has them. Guess I need to drop in and see. Great post!
Judy
The shop name looks really weird but it would attract many. The sweets looks really yummy. Great post!
Thanks John.