Written by Ben Cox – Local grocer Cullen Sliger is preparing for the initial stages of work to begin at his new location on Coggin Avenue, to be ready for the spring plant season.

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Located at 2909 Coggin, the corner of Coggin and 19th, “Sliger’s Market” is going to be in a much different locale than his previous store.

Sliger says the quieter pace of the new spot is going to much easier for his older clients. “It’s going to be so much easier to get in and out of, we’ve moved right into their neighborhood.”

The appearance of the new business will also be a bit different starting out. “Our plan is to shoot for March and have greenhouses, and do the flowers and trees and grass and do all that stuff, then around June start with a real building.”

In this business “his whole life”, Sliger grew up around the family market while his dad operated it. “Dad came here in 1953, he was still in high school when he opened it. He was a junior in High School and he started out with just a tent. I was born in ’61 and as soon as I was old enough to walk I was there.”

Beginning as a bottle boy, Sliger eventually ran the store with his father and brother. Sliger eventually parted ways with the family business, returning to run Cullen’s Hometown Market until earlier this year.

Sliger plans to offer all the home grown goodies that his longtime customers have come to expect. “I’ve already called all of (his former vendors) and they’re all lined up and ready to go once we are. That’s the main reason I’m even doing this, is there are so many people who grow stuff for me, it’s their livelihood and way of life. That’s the way they make their living. Peaches, watermelons, cantaloupes, all of it. I sell ‘em the seeds in the spring and they grow it and bring it back and I buy it.”

One other thing customers can expect to be back is the old Sliger charm behind every sale. “I like to take care of my customers in ways that may not make sense to others. But it’s not all about the money, it’s about me taking care of my customers.”

Sliger says supporting local growers is something that needs to be kept alive and encouraged. “It’s good for the town, it keeps money in town, and they grow a better product than you can buy in grocery stores.”

Some trees will be cleared to make room for he store, but others will be left where they stand. He says that friends and customers have made this transition an easy one, and especially wants to thank Jerry Payne for his efforts. Sliger’s wife Kim will also re-open her business, Hometown Spa on a corner of the property.

Sliger is looking forward to his new venture, and is excited for his clientele. “This is the best thing that could have happened to my customers.”

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