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FROM FARM TO STORE SHELF
Revolutionizing convenience : how Weigel ’ s Stores stays ahead in a dynamic market
Family-owned and ran since its inception , Weigel ’ s Stores Ltd ( Weigel ’ s ) is a renowned chain of convenience stores based in the State of Tennessee . Ryan McElroy , Director of Operations , provides a comprehensive overview of the business . “ Starting off as a dairy farm in 1931 , Weigel ’ s didn ’ t open its first store until 1958 when we launched a drive-through returnable milk jug store ,” he begins . “ In 1964 , Billy Weigel opened our first walkin milk store , which became one of Tennessee ’ s earliest convenience stores . Around the same time , Billy travelled to Washington DC to attend the National Association of Convenience Stores ’ third convention .
As Weigel ’ s continued to expand its presence , our walk-in milk stores transformed into traditional convenience stores . This year , the company is set to open additional locations in East Tennessee , taking us past the 80-store mark . Despite fierce competition from national and regional chains like Casey ’ s , Weigel ’ s is thriving thanks to its enduring relationship with the community . Our history is filled with Knoxville area firsts : Bill Weigel ’ s father introducing pasteurized milk to the area in 1935 , pioneering the first Icee machine east of the Mississippi River , self-service gas pumps in Tennessee , and cappuccino sales in the state ,” he continues .
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