Supermarket prides itself on being community-oriented

By Christina Blakeney
Special to the Register & Bee
Published: August 16, 2008

On a typical day, Roy Setliff settles into his daily routine at the local Piggly Wiggly in Danville. He’s in the store by 5 a.m. every morning.

Setliff , owner of the supermarket along with his wife, Valerie, said that he enjoys the store because it brings meaning to his life.

“I like seeing things get done,” he said.

Setliff said he prides himself in preparing his younger employees to become established through hard work and the proper training.

“I’ve had young boys start out as baggers, and (now) they’re meat managers, assistant store managers, and they’ve made something out of themselves,” Setliff said. “You don’t see a lot of that nowadays; too many people are dropping out of society.”

As a small business owner, Setliff faces many demands on a daily basis, but he appears to be able to juggle them as the franchise operator of both Piggly Wiggly stores in Danville.

Setliff said a field representative from Memphis, Tenn.-based Piggly Wiggly sought him out, back when he first got his start and owned a convenience store.

Setliff said from his perspective, every Piggly Wiggly is owned by people who care about the community and the people who shop there.

“I think every Piggly Wiggly is owned by an individual,” Setliff said. “It’s not a big corporation.

“(It’s) the old-fashioned, down the street service supermarket.”

He explained that there are currently 500 to 600 Piggly Wiggly stores around the country, but while growth potential is important, it also is important to maintain good customer service.

“Our motto is down home is down the street,” Setliff said. “We try to be a friendly store with our people so they have a good time with their shopping.”

The simple concept of giving back also is important to Setliff. In fact, he donates to local charities such as God’s Storehouse and God’s Pit Crew.

When Hurricane Katrina hit, Setliff personally donated a sizable amount to the people it affected. He said other franchises also helped out.

“That’s what Piggly Wiggly is about,” Setliff said. “They’re all community-oriented.”