TIFTON — Stripling’s General Store announced its expansion into Tifton with its sixth location breaking ground. Located off of U.S. 41, the family-owned and operated grocery will be centrally located and accessible from Interstate 75, Highway 82 and Highway 319.

 

Officially founded in 1964, Stripling’s began as a small sausage kitchen fifty years prior in Warwick when native James Stripling’s passion for pork led him to develop Stripling’s sausage recipe. That same recipe still serves as the backbone of the family business, which now boasts three retail locations owned and operated by Stripling’s nephew, Ricky Hardin, as well as a fourth retail location owned and operated by franchisee Jimmy Camp. The brand’s fifth location is slated to open in Spring of 2021 by way of Brunswick thanks to franchisees Dennis Carey and Buster Byrd.

 

Coined “Stripling’s Tifton,” the grocery will reside within a new 12,000 square-foot building alongside Ace Hardware and Chicken Salad Chick. Reflecting a similar brick exterior as most Stripling’s locations, the Tifton store will implement a spacious, open layout to accommodate the ultimate shopping experience.

 

In addition, franchisees Tom Coogle and Leland Roberts plan to optimize retail volume with a carefully curated floor plan that permits a wider selection of products.

 

With construction now underway, the duo is thrilled to bring Stripling’s to their backyard. “The Tifton community is very fond of the Stripling’s brand and the plans we have for our store will make a great addition to the city,” says Coogle.                                                                                                                 

Known for its high-quality meats and gourmet goods, Stripling’s will serve as a one-stop-shop for the local community and visitors alike. Upon entering, guests can expect the same interior design and welcoming atmosphere that Stripling’s fans know and love.

 

Throughout the store, Stripling’s Tifton will highlight local products with a variety of specialty groceries provided exclusively from Georgia-grown artisans. Alongside a plethora of fresh produce, the store will offer household grocery staples including homemade jellies, syrups, savory sauces, pickled products, delicious snacks and house seasonings. The Tifton location will also expand upon the brand’s well-known variety of celebrated meats, continuing to offer high-quality meats at the best possible price. 

 

The meat market will include a broader selection, featuring ready-to-serve and semi-ready items alongside a full-service butcher shop with a diverse selection of farm-fresh beef, pork and more. Most importantly, within the butcher shop customers can browse a large assortment of Stripling’s celebrated sausage and famed beef and pork jerkies.

 

For those traveling through South Georgia, Stripling’s Tifton will also serve as a quick and all-inclusive pit stop boasting gasoline, ready-made food and more.

 

Stripling’s hot bar will offer an extensive selection of prepared breakfast and lunch items daily, in addition to a premium deli featuring an arrangement of smoked meats, cheese, sandwiches and other on-the-go favorites. Finally, spacious bathrooms furnished with large stalls and ample area to freshen up during a long car ride complete the destination as the ultimate pit stop.

 

To see this vision come to fruition, Hardin joined forces with franchisees Coogle and Roberts to bring Stripling’s artisan foods, premium meats and southern hospitality to south-central Georgia.

 

A proud second-generation retailer, Coogle will utilize his 19 years of experience in the retail grocery business, in which he owned and operated numerous Piggly Wiggly supermarkets, to bring a unique vision to Stripling’s Tifton.

 

In contrast, Roberts brings to the table a background in banking and finance while spending the past 10+ years in healthcare prior to joining Coogle in Stripling’s newest venture. 

 

Both residents of the Tifton area, the duo recognized the high demand for a specialty meat market in the city and are eager to bring Stripling’s to fruition.