The support shown to Chris and Nancy Carlson, owners and operators of Russellville’s Piggly Wiggly supermarket, from the community has been overwhelming since an electrical fire ravaged their Bethel business on June 25.

The husband and wife team, who have been running the “Pig” for the past 20 years, said it is the people they are most grateful for and can’t wait to get back to serving them.

Things are really coming together said Nancy Carlson on the renovation of the grocery which is expected to have its grand re-opening on Saturday, Nov. 28.

“I am anxious to get back to running a grocery store.” said Nancy adding, “Since the fire we have all been doing things we haven’t been used to doing.”

Nancy said she knows the reopening has been the buzz around town and she is so happy that people are talking about it. Knowing that the community supports Piggly Wiggly makes it all worth while.

“We've had some good laughs and we've has some good cries, but we are so very excited about the changes that have come from this that were can be nothing but happy,” said Nancy.

Last week, the freezers were delivered and installed and this week the cases, shelves, check-out lanes and register equipment will be brought in. Training on the new equipment is expected in the next week.

“I think people are going to be surprised when they come into the store. We have made a lot of changes, but have also tried to keep things were they once were located. People have their shopping patterns and we wanted to make sure to preserve that for our customers,” said Nancy.

Bright colors and painting to match the facade outside will be featured on the interior of the grocery, which will still feature a deli.

“We are adding more to what we already offered,” said Nancy about the deli. “We already served rotisserie chicken and sandwiches before the fire but now we will be adding a hot lunch line that will have more of a variety of foods to chose from.”

If you pass the “Pig” you can already see the differences. Instead of two entrances into the grocery there is now one large entrance.

“This will help traffic into and out of the store and will be better for handicap persons to access,” said Nancy adding that the entrance will have a stone facade.“We can’t thank the community enough for supporting us during this time and for continuing to support us after we reopen.”