Waunakee Piggly Wiggly owner committed to community

For some, Waunakee’s Piggly Wiggly is a place to pick up groceries, but for others, it is a source of great support.

Tegan Counihan, one of the grocery store’s owners, spoke at the Waunakee Rotary Club’s June 20 meeting about the local Piggly Wiggly’s owners’ community involvement.

Counihan owns the Waunakee store with her sister and brother-in-law. They are the second generation owners of the Lodi store, which they purchased from their parents, and after getting to know the Wipperfurths, they bought the Waunakee store.

They also own a store in Belleville, and recently purchased the Poynette Piggly Wiggly, which their parents had previously owned and sold.

Counihan said she and co-owners Tanya and Bryce Haessly are passionate about what they do, and the goal is to provide quality products at a fair price, along with an exceptional experience.

They also strive to be active in their communities, and Counihan, who is president of Waunakee Chamber of Commerce board of directors, has volunteered with Create Waunakee. Recently, her team members bartended at the Create Waunakee ball and catered it.

The stores also employ individuals with special and different needs, Counihan said, creating a diverse environment that is respectful. She noted that the business is women-owned.

“We are trying to create a cohesive environment for everyone,” Counihan said, adding that different training processes have been adopted.

The store owners also expect to be asked for donations to community organizations, and they honor those requests, Counihan said. The stores also support local organizations through the round-ups at the cashiers, as clerks ask shoppers if they would like to round-up their bill with the change going to organizations such as the food pantry or Waunakee Neighborhood Connection.

Also, any food items that are close to expired or have damaged packaging are donated to the food pantry.

They also support sports booster clubs by providing discounted brats to sell, and on July 4, will have a popcorn maker able to make colored popcorn.

As part of the Waunakee store’s partnership with Create Waunakee, the store has a space for artists to sell their work with a portion going to that arts organization. The artists can make a little money from the sales, too, and get exposure.

Counihan is also working with a Lodi organization on a program that will provide tags for child car seats listing all medications the child takes. She said she would like to partner with other EMS and fire departments on a similar program in other communities.

Counihan believes in a big circle with businesses, organizations and schools within a community, she said, and her goal is to support that circle.

“We’re a relationship business,” she said.