Piggly Wiggly opens new store in West Kinston, NC

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This “Pig” has been growing since November and so has the anticipation of its opening. The wait is over.

The grand opening celebration for the county’s newest — and largest — supermarket, the Piggly Wiggly Fresh Buy on U.S. 258, began at 9 a.m. Wednesday, October 31 with a ribbon cutting and prizes. The first 300 customers will be given a free bag of groceries.

The new store is situated next to the former store, opened in 1979 by Dexter Floyd and Leon Sylvester and closing today at 4 p.m. It’s one of three Piggly Wigglys in Kinston and more than 600 in 17 states.

The 46,000-square-foot facility has created about 45 new jobs in Kinston and may set the standard with its larger floor plan, sky-lighted ceilings, deli-bakery with restaurant and food bar, pharmacy and energy-saving features.

Kinston’s second MedSource Pharmacy, owned by Dalton Ange, will be located inside the new Piggly Wiggly store.

All of the departments have been expanded with more variety, including many organic items, said Greg Floyd, who co-owns the store with Ward Sylvester. Both are sons of the original partners.

Customers will be able to purchase K-Cups in any of 12 varieties and brew their own coffee in the dining area.

“We’ve got seating for approximately 60 people,” Floyd said.

The kitchen’s shelved rotisserie can also smoke cuts of meat, such as ribs and Boston butts.

The bakery will feature artisan breads and custom cake decorating, including photos on cakes.

Customers can choose between the hot food line or hot food, soup and salad bar. Items will be changed for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The store’s meat selection, including seafood and preferred Angus beef, stretches along the entire back wall. Customers can purchase custom-cut and special order meats.

“We certainly have the largest variety of meats in the area,” Floyd said.

The store boasts a large wine selection and specialty foods, such as organic and gluten-free.

“If a particular item the customer wants we don’t have,” Floyd said, “a lot of times we’ll order it and carry it as a regular stock item.”

The store, to be managed by Nick Bartlett of Goldsboro, has included some energy-saving features, including 34 skylights with automated lighting that is adjusted by how much natural light is coming in, refrigeration compressors that keep constant pressure and water heaters partially heated by hot gas defrost from the refrigeration system. Also, dairy products are carried behind glass French doors.

“This (refrigeration) should save a tremendous amount of energy,” Floyd said.

There are two truck delivery docks — one at either end of the back of the store.

There are six check-out lanes, two self-serve check-outs and an express lane where lottery purchases can be made.

“We man them as the demand requires,” Floyd said. “That’s part of our commitment to customer service.”

The customer service desk includes bill paying, money orders and Western Union. There is also a First Citizen’s Bank ATM machine.

“We really hope the community will support us,” Floyd said. “We’re really excited about this store.”

The former 22,000-square-foot store has been remodeled numerous times, Floyd said. Plans are to remodel and lease it out.

There will be special events at the store for four weeks.

The new Piggly Wiggly hours will be 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays. Pharmacy hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

“We’ve got seating for approximately 60 people,” Floyd said.

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