The History of Brent Super Saver, Inc. and its Evolution into Piggly Wiggly
by Sheila Duncan
Brent Super Saver, Inc., a cornerstone of the Brent community, faced its most challenging moment on May 27, 1973, when a tornado ravaged the City of Brent, leaving widespread devastation in its wake. The store, located in the Ward Mercantile building in downtown Brent, was destroyed. However, the Hollifield family, owners of the business, were determined to rebuild and provide essential services to the community.
After months of effort, Brent Super Saver, Inc. was rebuilt and triumphantly reopened on October 10, 1974, under the stewardship of Robert E. Hollifield, Myrtle B. Hollifield, Roy Wayne Hollifield, and Rita Hollifield. Their resilience helped not only restore the store but also renew hope for the town.
In 1987, the business underwent a significant transformation, adopting the Piggly Wiggly name to operate under the well-known grocery brand. That same year, following the death of Robert E. Hollifield in April, Roy Wayne Hollifield—Robert’s son—became the owner and operator, continuing the family legacy.
Today, Piggly Wiggly remains a family-run establishment. In 2024, the torch was passed once again, this time to Christina Hollifield Dellinger, marking the third generation of Hollifield family leadership. Christina continues to uphold the values and community commitment that have made Piggly Wiggly a staple in Brent for over five decades. I had the pleasure of asking Christina to share her experiences and share her story. This is what she had to say about her time growing up in the business.
Brent Super Saver, Inc. is a family owned and operated grocery store located in Brent, AL. We strive to provide quality products at a fair price with excellent customer service. We are grateful for our customers and truly appreciate their business.
I grew up in the store. I’m a graduate of Bibb County High School (1998), The University of Alabama (2002, Finance, BS) and The University of Alabama (2003, Economics, MA). I married Stewart Dellinger in 2003 and began working alongside my Dad at the store. We have been blessed with three daughters, Hannah Dellinger, Sarah Dellinger & Abbie Dellinger.
My dad taught me everything about the grocery business. Good customer service is the key to success. I think being a small business helps us because we have a personal relationship with our customers. We still make local deliveries and carry out groceries to customers’ vehicles. If you have ever been to “The Pig” you’ve seen Mr. Leroy Russell. He has been with us since 1980.
The last 50 years have seen many changes in the grocery business. To remain relevant, you must adapt to the ever-changing industry. We are a small, independent grocery store who has been able to remain in business. It’s challenging to compete with the “BIG BOX” stores. Recently, we have updated all of the lighting inside the store to LED. The produce department has been upgraded with new display fixtures. We have invested in the “Mr. Pig” mascot to promote our business throughout the community. There are more changes planned for the future and I can’t wait for our customers to see them!
The PEOPLE are why I do this. My dad loved what he did, so he never worked a day in his life. His passion for this business passed down to me. I’m honored to be able to continue his legacy and I hope I can make him proud.
The most challenging aspect of this business for me, as a wife and mother, are the hours it requires. Most days are 12 plus hours. I’m able to balance everything with the help of my family.
I would encourage anyone interested in the grocery business or any retail business to give it a try. You will either love it or decided it’s not for you. Our family would like to thank the many dedicated employees over the years who have help us be successful!
