BY: KEN WHITE, WCP, SALES MANAGER
Will Wedge has been in the grocery business since he was a 17 year old in Millinocket. Upon graduating from college and returning from the service, the grocery business pulled him back in. Spending 21 years as a manager and director of merchandising in the grocery business, Will knew he wanted to own a store one day. On a Friday evening, Will received a call from a store owner in Dover-Foxcroft who wanted to sell.
In April of 2011, Will and his wife, Melissa, purchased Edward’s Family Shop ‘n Save, renaming it Will’s Shop ‘n Save. Will feels the strength of the smaller, independent, grocer is to tailor store offerings to its customer needs. To date, they have about a 75% success rate in fulfilling special requests from customers, resulting in the addition of 2,000 SKUs, including many organic and gluten free options.
The store caters to a range of events, from weddings to graduations. Will’s and Hannaford also supply fresh fruit and vegetables to local school systems. Will’s provides $2 vouchers to kids to select their own fruit and vegetables. Will and his Team believe in helping the community which helps the store. In 2013, Will’s received “Business of the Year” from The Piscataquis County Chamber and in 2014, they received “Maine Family Business of the Year for Community Service”.
Many of Will’s products are from local sources, including wines, maple syrup and produce to name just a few. The store even turned to local contractor, JSI Store Fixtures, for new displays and uses local contractors for heating and lighting needs. At Will’s, it’s all about community.
Ken White, Sales Manager for F. A. Peabody Company, is the Agent for Will’s Shop’n Save. Ken specializes in commercial retail, wholesale and manufacturing accounts.