ATHENS, Texas — Grocery shoppers in East Texas will soon have a new option. Piggly Wiggly is prepping for its grand opening in Athens.
The grocery franchise is making a comeback to Texas - opening a new location and bringing smiles to East Texans.
"People are coming in with a smile and all the options we got," Danielle Armstrong, head cashier of former Save A Lot, said. "We got a lot of new stuff."
These new products are a part of the transition of becoming a Piggly Wiggly.
"We decided to change from a Save A Lot due to adding to our variety," Ron Jones, Piggly Wiggly director of operations said. "In today’s market and today’s environment, we need more variety."
But it’s not just the variety of new items that has customers going hog wild, it’s the nostalgia.
"We always shopped at Piggly Wiggly, and then I worked for Piggly Wiggly my junior and senior year of high school," Sharon Hudson, a customer, said. "So it's something that I've really liked and a good memory."
While it's a memory for many, the stores return is a comeback for the franchise with the next location to be in Sherman.
"The plans are right now to convert that Save A Lot as well. We're probably looking at late summer," Jones said.
But as for Tyler or the rest of East Texas, Jones said there are now plans at this time.
"I have talked to the folks that Piggly Wiggly because it is a franchise and they have talked to other grocers about adding there," Jones said.
Now for the former Save A Lot employees, they can keep bringing home the bacon because they’ve all been given the offer to stick around.
"I've been with Save A Lot for three years," Armstrong said. "It's treated me really good and Piggly Wiggly will treat me a little better."
This new Athens location is currently open and employees ask that you excuse their mess. Workers anticipate the store will be ready for its grand opening scheduled on June 4.
"I love it, I love Piggly Wiggly," Hudson said. "I was sad to see it go, so I'm glad to see it back. That's for sure."