GRANTSBORO – Billy Flockhart, who owns two Piggly Wiggly stores in Pamlico County, confronted economic reality Monday morning.
“I will be closing down the Grantboro store on February 28,” wrote Flockhart, in a press release to this newspaper, just hours before meeting with staffers. “The Grantsboro location has 40 employees, but I am only able to offer jobs to eight of them for our Oriental location.” Flockhart cited “economic and social pressures and losing sales and profits over the last three years,” adding that the unprecedented pandemic, now in its tenth month, was also a contributing factor. As many in the community know, the Grantsboro Piggly Wiggly has a glorious past.
Two decades ago, Flockhart went out on a financial limb to acquire the business. The store, long known for its exceptional selection of top quality meats, won the Chamber’s ‘SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR 2010.” Flockhart has been a grocer for his entire adult life. The spiritual, hard-charging entrepreneur was known as a soft touch — Grantsboro Piggly Wiggly was always the first to donate to any worthy charity!
Obviously, his heart-aching decision did not come easy. Flockhart’s devotion to his employees has always been paramount. Many local young people got their first jobs at Piggly Wiggly, whether as a cashier, stocker, or grocery bagger.
At this point, let Billy Flockhart himself share some quick thoughts – right from his packed TO DO list:
- I have chosen February 28 to sell down the product so I can pay the employees and clear up any bills that the store might have.
- We wish to sell down the inventory.
- Our last store flyer will be for week of Jan. 6 thru 13.
- Our restaurant and meat department will continue to serve. We will still continue to order milk bread and other staples so our customers can take advantage of the TERRIFIC deals inside.
- For over 50 years, a Piggly Wiggly has been on the Hwy 306 / Hwy. 55 corner in three slightly different spots.
- I have given it all that I have in an effort to make it work.
- With a Walmart and Food Lion and a great big CVS drugstore right across the street, our sales are not enough to support staying open.
- I have lost money for three years straight. I regret that I can no longer justify pouring personal assets into the store to keep this thing going.
- I wish to thank everyone who supported us during my almost 20 years in Grantsboro! Many you have commented on how neat and clean our store is blocked up and inventories well stocked. Our meat department stayed strong and, of course, we are proud of our delicious food in Pamlico Restaurant.
- I am sad to say that it takes more than those two departments to make this 26,000-square foot grocery store work. The overhead is way too much for our sales. The land, the Piggly Wiggly and the old Restore building will be put on the market to be sold.
- Please help support this store to the end as we sell through our inventory. I have made some great friends over my time here.
- If you have a favorite Piggly Wiggly employee, please let other businesses know!
- I wish to thank all of them and say how sorry I am this could not work. I hate this more than you know. I have given it all I have in me.
- Our Oriental store will continue to cut fresh meat. We urge all of our customers to visit the Oriental store.
If you don’t see what you want, let us know and we will begin to stock it, because that’s what we do! - From the bottom of my heart, I thank this wonderful community! Billy Flockhart 252-670-7261
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