Piggly Wiggly.



pigglywiggly.JPG

“Piggly Wiggly what does it mean? Piggly Wiggly I’ve never seen! Is it a piggy or is it a worm? I’d never touch it might make me squirm! If I shall see one I’ll tell you more. Grandmother says it’s a grocery store!”

Piggly Wiggly [wiki] was the first true self-service grocery store. It was founded on September 6, 1916, at 79 Jefferson Street in Memphis, Tennessee, by Clarence Saunders. A replica of the original store has been constructed in the Memphis Pink Palace Museum - a mansion that Saunders built as his private residence but later sold to the city.

As seen on Flickr.


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Posted on February 25, 2007 at 12:31 am by Excellent
Category: Food & Drinks, Pictures

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7 comments to "Piggly Wiggly."

  • beajerry
    February 25th, 2007 at 2:57 am

    I have fuzzy fond memories of Piggly Wiggly, and also of Woolworths!
    Remember the days of Green Stamps?

  • artschild
    February 25th, 2007 at 10:49 am

    I remember when the Piggly Wiggly in my hometown closed down. *sigh*

  • Anita
    February 25th, 2007 at 11:56 am

    Piggly Wiggly and “fond memories” will never be used in the same sentence by me (except in that one of course). I’ve always found them dingy and rather run-down.

  • biltmore
    February 25th, 2007 at 2:11 pm

    I haven’t seen a Piggly Wiggly in years!!!

  • Will from mental_floss
    February 26th, 2007 at 12:02 am

    Most regulars of the chain in Birmingham, AL just call it “the Pig,” as in “I’m gonna run to the Pig and get some more milk and bread.”

  • H.N.
    September 24th, 2007 at 10:25 pm

    In SC the Pig is still very popular. We proudly display T-shirts and bumper stickers that say “I’m big on the pig” and “I’m sticking with the pig.” In locations that are too small for a Harris Teeter or a Food Lion, there are fine piggly wiggly stores. This year is the year of the pig in the Chinese calendar - let’s all go to the Pig.

  • wkclark
    July 16th, 2008 at 4:49 pm

    I know this isn’t about the store, but did anyone ever have a board game called “Piggly Wiggly”? I had one growing up in the 60’s-70’s. I’ve been trying to find another one, but haven’t had any luck.

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