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Piggly Wiggly Food for Less coming to Havana

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/03/piggly-wiggly-food-for-less-coming-to-havana.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, November 3rd 2025 at 16:36 GMT by Tallahassee Democrat

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New Piggly Wiggly Food‑for‑Less Grocery Store Set to Open in Havana

The small city of Havana, Florida, is set to welcome a new affordable grocery option with the upcoming opening of a Piggly Wiggly Food‑for‑Less store. The announcement, released by the Tallahassee‑based news outlet on November 3, 2025, details the store’s location, expected opening date, and the benefits it promises to bring to residents. The article underscores the growing trend of “price‑focus” grocery formats and the economic boost a new retail anchor can provide to a mid‑size community.

Location and Timing

The new Food‑for‑Less store will be situated at the corner of Main Street and 3rd Avenue, just north of the Havana Town Center. According to the article, the 14‑story building that once housed a hardware store has been retrofitted with a modern grocery layout and an expansive parking deck. The company’s spokesperson said the grand opening will take place on December 5, 2025, with a ribbon‑cutting ceremony featuring Mayor Linda Ramirez and a special appearance by Piggly Wiggly’s regional CEO, Michael Hayes.

What Food‑for‑Less Means

Food‑for‑Less is a relatively recent format launched by Piggly Wiggly in 2024 to tackle rising grocery costs in the Southeast. The Tallahassee story explains that these stores are deliberately smaller than traditional supermarkets—roughly 10,000 square feet—yet they focus heavily on fresh produce, dairy, bakery items, and everyday staples. The concept also incorporates a “Price Guarantee,” pledging to match any lower price found in the region, and offers a free weekly “Deal Sheet” mailed to members. The article links to the chain’s own page, which elaborates that Food‑for‑Less locations typically operate 11 hours a day, 7 days a week, and feature a self‑checkout lane to speed up the shopping experience.

Features and Services

Beyond basic groceries, the new Havana store will include a pharmacy, a small café serving breakfast and lunch, and a “Ready‑to‑Go” deli section that offers pre‑sliced meats and salads. The store will also be the first in the region to offer a curb‑side pickup service, allowing customers to order online and have their cart brought to their car in under five minutes. The article highlights that the Pharmacy Department will be staffed by two licensed pharmacists, and the store will accept Piggly Wiggly’s “Savings” card for additional discounts.

Economic Impact

The Tallahassee piece estimates the new Food‑for‑Less store will create approximately 25 permanent jobs, with an additional 10 temporary positions available during the opening and seasonal periods. The mayor’s office is quoted as saying that the new retailer will bring a positive ripple effect to nearby businesses, including a new coffee shop and a clothing boutique that are expected to open within the next six months.

Community Reaction

Residents have largely expressed excitement about the new grocery option. A local farmer’s market organizer, Marcia Patel, mentioned that the Food‑for‑Less store will provide a convenient source of fresh produce for market vendors who often struggle to find reliable retail partners in the area. A small‑business owner who prefers not to be named said, “We’re going to have more foot traffic in the downtown corridor; that’s good for us.” While the article does not report any significant opposition, a note of caution appears when a senior citizen remarked that she is concerned about the cost of gas at the new convenience store that will be attached to the parking lot.

Additional Resources

At the bottom of the story, the publisher includes a link to the Piggly Wiggly Food‑for‑Less concept page. The linked page offers a deeper dive into the company’s mission, a list of features common to all Food‑for‑Less stores, and a comparison chart that shows how the new Havana location will price items relative to other nearby grocery chains.

A second link takes readers to the City of Havana’s economic development website, where a short press release outlines the city’s official partnership with Piggly Wiggly. That release confirms that the city will provide a one‑year tax incentive to help offset construction costs, a detail that underscores the community’s willingness to invest in long‑term retail growth.

Final Thoughts

The Tallahassee article frames the new Piggly Wiggly Food‑for‑Less store as a strategic investment in affordable shopping for Havana’s residents. By combining a streamlined layout, price‑guaranteed staples, and an array of value‑added services, the chain aims to meet the needs of a budget‑conscious population while providing a new economic engine for the city. With the grand opening just over a month away, residents can look forward to a convenient, low‑price grocery experience that promises to reshape the local retail landscape.