October 24, 2003
Sylvester- Sylvester shoppers have been familiar with the Snipes name for more than three decades, and now it's owners have put their names behind another well known southern supermarket.
"Small business has been the backbone of this country. Every big major chain you see in this country started as a small business, so we're just going down that path just like they did," says Co-owner Carl Tomlinson.
When they found out the Delhaize Group, parent company of Food Lion, decided not to purchase the Sylvester Harvey's store, they decided to buy the store and re-open it under it's original name, Piggly Wiggly.
A change customers don't mind at all.
"Well I think it's nice to have a little bit of competition and if there was nothing here there probably would be only one or two other grocery stores, so I think its nice to have something. I hate to see empty buildings," says Betty Alford.
Even the majority of the Harvey's employees stayed despite the change in ownership, saying they wanted to remain loyal to Sylvester shoppers.
"For the customers. I'm real good with the customers. They know me and I know them. It was for the customers," says Keith Smith.
That customer-employee relationship is something owners say won't be on their list of changes.
"We fill that niche where people come in and want to be part of a hometown family atmosphere and that's what we try to offer," Tomlinson says.
Snipes Finer Foods in Sylvester will remain open as will the stores in Camilla and Rochelle.
Posted at 2:35 PM by elaine.armstrong@walb.com
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