Jason A. Smith | The Valdosta Daily TimesFranchisee Tom Coogle cuts the ribbon Wednesday during the Piggly Wiggly grand opening with the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, Piggly Wiggly employees and customers.

VALDOSTA — The grand opening for Piggly Wiggly on Bemiss Road was held Wednesday and shoppers were excited. 

“They’ve got great prices,” said Sharon McAdoo and Sandra J. Holiday speaking together and back and forth with one another. “I’ve been out here three or four times since the store opened.”

“Everything is accessible and the staff is friendly,” said Lisa Eckwahl. “I look forward to shopping here.”

Franchisee Tom Coogle was happy with the store’s success. 

“It’s been phenomenal,” he said.” It’s been better than we expected.”

Along with the grand opening, Piggly Wiggly gave out prizes to customers who shopped during the grand opening until 4:30 p.m., said Coogle.

Prizes included a Weber gas grill, a 3000 PSI gas pressure washer, a Troy-Bilt self-propelled lawn mower, a bicycle and free groceries.

“We appreciate the community supporting us and coming out to see us,” said Store Manager Charles Dunaway. “If it wasn’t for our customers, we wouldn’t be here.” 

The store features a full-service hardware store, Dunaway said. The store also has a bakery with fresh baked goods and is able to put pictures on cakes, a full-service deli section and sub bar and a 12-foot section for Georgia grown products. 

The store is open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week and is located at 2111 Bemiss Road.

Jason Smith is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1256.