America has always been narrated by change and promoting change for a better place to live. Clarence Saunders founded the first Piggly Wiggly in Tennessee in 1916. It was the first self-serve grocery store ever. Prior to the opening of The Pig, clerks gathered groceries for the customers. This new idea was unheard of but flourished regardless and made way for many chains of self-serve grocery stores.
The American narrative promoting change holds true in the recent purchases of Piggly Wiggly stores by Harris Teeter and Bi-Lo. Piggly Wiggly’s motto “Local since forever” will remain in effect with the continued employment of Piggly Wiggly employees. Randall Onstead, president and CEO of Bi-Lo Holdings plans to enhance the purchased stores by, “’reinvest[ing] in what matters most for our customers … the freshest foods, the best deals and really connecting to their neighborhoods’” (ABC news Charelston). It sounds like Bi-Lo plans to keep the “Local Since Forever” motto but with all change comes sacrifice. Many “Stickin’ with The Pig” customers are not happy about the buy out, since they have been going to the same stores forever. People are bound to be unhappy by the changes Bi-Lo chooses to make to better “enhance” the stores. Only time will tell if these changes are beneficial to the majority or not, but America (and the first Piggly Wiggly) were founded on change and it will always narrate our country.
While I agree that change and encouraging innovation are two concepts that are strongly associated with the American narrative, I think that this story also touches on the issue of the homogenization of American society. Regionalist writers, like Twain, Chesnut and Chopin, were concerned with capturing the culture of certain regions before their distinct identities disappeared. This goal of maintaining local identity continues on today with many people concerned with local stores being bought out by national chains. It is evident that this idea of maintaining local identity is still strong today, which is made clear by opposition to local franchises, like Piggly Wiggly, being bought out.
I agree with both this blog post and the comment above. This is a great example of the American narrative, though some may not like the change. America is becoming more and more corporate and this is just one more example. Piggly Wigglys were one remaining example of what a local grocery store used to look like, though they too were a major chain. I agree that this appears to be a continuation of the trend of America losing its distinct regions and what was once great about them. I, personally, loved shopping at the Pig by my house and since it’s changed to a Bi Lo, prices are much higher and the friendly announcements that I was used to have changed, but all-in-all, it is still very much the same. This is a great example of how the American narrative is subtly changing over time and will continue to do so.