The Pig gets the axe

Discussion in 'South Atlantic' started by JISurfer, Sep 17, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. JISurfer

    JISurfer Grand Pooh-Bah (3,006) Dec 10, 2002 Utah
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Anybody that's been to Charleston recently, has noticed how Piggly Wiggly has quickly become a "must go" for beer lovers. With a solid bottle selection and two Pigs having a tap selection well over 160 beers (the largest beer selection in the US for grocery stores), it was easy to see why. Last week, there was an article in the Post and Courier, stating that most of the Pigs in the Charleston metro, were being sold to BiLo and Harris Teeter, including Piggly Wiggly #4, where the Pig's foray into craft beer really took off. It really sucked, but at least the Northbridge Pig (which also had over 150 beers on tap and a great bottle selection) was going to be open. Well, just got a message from them on FB, saying they are now closing as well. Sad day in Charleston for sure.
     
  2. brstls4drmrs

    brstls4drmrs Maven (1,396) Jan 30, 2011 North Carolina

    As unfortunate as this is, it's not surprising. Harris Teeter has been real aggressive as of late with their development. They've even opened an upscale wine/beer location in Charlotte that not only competes with TW but takes the beverage experience to a new level with culinary appeal. In addition, I'm sure they're preparing to compete with Publix who has recently purchased BiLo stores in NC and is scheduled to open new locations in cities such as Charlotte and Wnston-Salem. As for BiLo purchasing, I'm not sure how they have the funds to do it.
     
  3. fobpeluso

    fobpeluso Initiate (0) Sep 2, 2012 South Carolina

    Sometimes grocery stores will use sales reports and data to support successful local models that may not match their corporate structure. I think we are all hoping that ht can understand what they are walking into in charleston stores and support the craft movement. We will see.
     
  4. whitekiboko

    whitekiboko Initiate (0) Sep 22, 2006 South Carolina

    Get out of my head, I was about to post a question asking if the local HTs were going to up their mediocre beer selection.
     
  5. JISurfer

    JISurfer Grand Pooh-Bah (3,006) Dec 10, 2002 Utah
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It's somewhat baffling in some areas though. For instance, on James Island, there were 3 Pigs, but they were at far corners of the island. HT bought those 3 Pigs, plus they already have a HT in the middle of James Island. Don't get me wrong, HT is very nice, but 4 in such a small area don't make that much sense to me, unless they are going to close some of the stores. I didn't major in business though, so maybe they know something I don't know.
     
  6. chefkevlar

    chefkevlar Initiate (0) Apr 17, 2010 South Carolina

  7. JISurfer

    JISurfer Grand Pooh-Bah (3,006) Dec 10, 2002 Utah
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Funny thing is, HT used to be THE store to go get craft beer, then Earth Fare opened.
     
  8. chefkevlar

    chefkevlar Initiate (0) Apr 17, 2010 South Carolina

    The South Park area in Charlotte has something like 8 within a 5 mile radius. They'd rather have on every few blocks then let a competitor open in a neighborhood.

    edit: Yep: http://goo.gl/maps/0mTwp
     
  9. JISurfer

    JISurfer Grand Pooh-Bah (3,006) Dec 10, 2002 Utah
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    What's even crazier though, is that the Otranto Pig will stay open. Don't know if y'all have ever been there, but it's dated, dirty, and tiny. Is that what the Pig is going for now?
     
  10. chefkevlar

    chefkevlar Initiate (0) Apr 17, 2010 South Carolina

    Yeah the way I read it they just don't have the cash to compete with the fancy new HTs, Publixs (Publi?), etc in Metro areas so they are throwing in the towel and only keeping the rural locations where there isn't any competition.
     
  11. JISurfer

    JISurfer Grand Pooh-Bah (3,006) Dec 10, 2002 Utah
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    That would be the Otranto Rd Pig. While it's in North Charleston, hardly rural, it's next closest competitor is a Super Kmart across the street, a Walmart 15 minutes away, and the grocery stores in Goose Creek (10 minutes away). Hopefully, it will get a facelift.
     
  12. charlottemoeron

    charlottemoeron Initiate (0) Feb 22, 2013 North Carolina

    HT's upscale place is called 201 Central. It sucks. Their beer is all old and the wine is mostly what you can get exactly across the street at the actual Harris Teeter. Biggest difference is 201 Central carries kegs, nothing really special though. The culinary stuff is basically the cheese bar/olive bar you also see in every HT. I live in Weddington, and have 4 HT's plus the 201 Cental within about a 3-4 minute drive.

    I'm not a home brewer, but they do have home brew supplies, I can't imagine they turn it with much frequency though. Good concept, poorly thought out.

    What would get me most excited would be if HT bootlegged some COAST and Westbrook to NC so I didn't have to drive over to Grapevine every couple weeks (nothing against Grapevine of course).
     
  13. whitekiboko

    whitekiboko Initiate (0) Sep 22, 2006 South Carolina

    Near my dad's house down providence rd it's at least that saturated, if not more. On the other hand charlotte actually has population density.
     
    chefkevlar likes this.
  14. whitekiboko

    whitekiboko Initiate (0) Sep 22, 2006 South Carolina

    Have you ever looked at the dates on the COAST bottles? 3-4 month old hopart isn't unusual. But being a swine, I don't object to pyts in yoga pants, so no reason to burn the place down.
     
    flipdog0 likes this.
  15. charlottemoeron

    charlottemoeron Initiate (0) Feb 22, 2013 North Carolina


    If the HT by my house (closest one) carried Hopart and Westbrook IPA, they would never hit those dates.
     
    ben4unc likes this.
  16. JISurfer

    JISurfer Grand Pooh-Bah (3,006) Dec 10, 2002 Utah
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Oh yeah, totally agree. Just giving a little CHS beer history to fellow BAs.
     
  17. JISurfer

    JISurfer Grand Pooh-Bah (3,006) Dec 10, 2002 Utah
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Actually, there was also The Beer Man in Mt.P, but that wasn't anywhere near my neck (James Island).
     
  18. brstls4drmrs

    brstls4drmrs Maven (1,396) Jan 30, 2011 North Carolina

    Yep. That's it. Named after the address of the very first HT. I've never been.
     
  19. charlottemoeron

    charlottemoeron Initiate (0) Feb 22, 2013 North Carolina


    I should not have said it sucks. I should be giving props to anyone that is out there creating a business around craft beer. That said, I am not sure that they did enough to differentiate themselves from the average HT near my house. Do they have a larger selection, sure. Do they have taps, not the last time I was there. Hopefully the continue to evolve and become much better (especially with growlers coming to NC sometime soon) as it is awfully close to my house.
     
  20. rgordon

    rgordon Pooh-Bah (2,701) Apr 26, 2012 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    So, let me get this right in my head. Kroger bought Harris-Teeter and now HT is getting aggressive in resort areas of South Carolina? How many total Piggly Wigglys are still out there (as of now)? What is the strategy? Are the PWs undervalued, poorly managed and maintained, and over-saturated in key markets? Really, what is the stategy?
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.