In February 1949, he was a driver for Merchant’s Delivery and during a delivery to a small grocery store called Nevins he was offered the job of fill-in manager. After working for the summer, Bush was sent to manage the Union Grove store. Bush’s store was the first to have a refrigerated produce case in 1952 and one of the first businesses to stay open during the traditional noon – 1p.m. lunch hou
r. Bush and Jim Sheen, who ran the meat market in the store, teamed up in June 1957, buying out Nevins and forming a partnership, calling the business Tip Top Foods at 1014 Main Street, Union Grove. The store’s grand opening was July 26th and 27th, 1957. There were 8 employees. In February 1965, ground was broken for a new store at 1006 Vine Street. The store opened in July of that year with 18 employees; Bush’s wife Helen and two daughters Barbara (Bush) Preston and Karen (Bush) P**l were three of those 18. In 1975, Howard Preston, who had been employed since 1968, became the manager of the store and later played a key role in the decision to begin the Piggly Wiggly affiliation. In 1981, Jim Sheen retired and Alan & Helen Bush became business partners and continued operating Tip Top Foods until October 29, 1986 when the store became Al’s Piggly Wiggly. All had been happy milestones until July 27, 1988 when a fire closed the store for over a month. That followed close on the heals of the June 8, 1988 death of Helen Bush, Alan’s partner both in business and marriage, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. By this time daughter Cathy Bush had been an employee for a number of years and granddaughter Carolyn Preston had recently joined the team. With the rebuilding from the fire came an expansion and remodeling with the store re-opened on September 2, 1988. Grandson, Douglas Preston came aboard in 1990. Bush retired on December 31, 1992 and sold the store, with 46 employees, to his daughter Barb Preston and Howie Preston. November 19th, 2003 marked the much anticipated grand opening of the current location of the store, 4400 67th Drive, Union Grove, also marking the name change to Union Grove Piggly Wiggly. The store more than doubled in size of retail shopping space resulting in the 31,500 square foot supermarket you see today. Added was full liquor and floral departments. The philosophy and focus was to provide a larger selection in all areas while maintaining that small town feel and the highest standard of customer service. In May of 2008, Howie Preston retired and sold his half of the business to his children Carolyn Preston and Douglas Preston who became business partners with their mother Barbara Preston. In the fall of 2011, the store received some much needed equipment upgrades, including an additional register, along with an expansion of the vestibule, including new shopping carts and a Red Box movie dispenser. Barbara Preston retired on December 31, 2011 and sold her shares of the business, with 74 employees, to her children Carolyn Preston and Douglas Preston who continue to operate Union Grove Piggly Wiggly as equal partners making the store family owned and operated since 1957, spanning three generations. Throughout the 1-year span from early winter 2013 to early winter 2014, almost the entire store was either reset or remodeled to provide our customers with the best possible shopping experience.
