Post Messenger Recorder -

For more than 13 years, the staff at Burreson's Foods has been serving Belleville and surrounding communities and provided a wide variety of quality food at reasonable prices and with great customer service.

Starting on February 3rd, that will change. Owner Darin Burreson will take on ownership of the building and property and lease the space to the owners of Piggly Wiggly Midwest who will transition Burreson's Foods to Piggly Wiggly. The owners include Tegan Counihan, Tanya Haessly and Bryce Haessly, who also own and operate Main Street Market Piggly Wiggly stores in Lodi and Waunakee.

Burreson assured his staff that they will be considered for positions in the new store, as well as opportunities at Roy's Market in New Glarus.

"A few staff members have been with me since we started," said Burreson. "It's their dedication and familiarity that will help with the transition."

Burreson started in the grocery business in 1996, when he and his brother bought the grocery store in Blanchardville. In 2009, he started Burreson's Foods in Belleville, and when Jon and Judy Ziltner were interested in selling Roy's Market in New Glarus, he saw it "as a great opportunity" and decided to purchase and has owned Roy's Market for six years.

"I will continue to own and operate Roy's Market in New Glarus," said Burreson, and added that between the two stores he has about 40 employees but with the staff shortages they've been experiencing, it became a constant struggle.

"We contributed to many of the events and festivals in the community and provided funds or product through the following:

Funds for Friends: For the past 12 years, Burreson has donated 1 percent of all groceries purchased to area non-profits and charities. Saturday Grillouts: On Saturdays during the summer, Burreson's Foods hosted grillouts in the parking lot. The food and products were provided at cost and the profits raised benefited local charities, churches, sport teams and more. Belleville Food Pantry: Twice a week, Burreson donated food items to the Belleville Food Pantry. Scrip Gift Cards: Organized by members of the Belleville Parent-Teacher Organization, scrip gift cards offered a rebate that was used to support the local school district. Library Funding: Burreson has supported the Belleville Public Library and during the building process, he made a significant donation to the project.

"I want to thank our customers and the Belleville community for their patronage and support," said Burreson. "The staff and I offer our support and encouragement to the new owners and will make the transition as smooth as possible."

Burreson explained that during the next few weeks he will sell products at discounted prices to reduce inventory and that the store will be closed for several weeks while the new owners organize, hire staff, and prepare for a grand opening.

"As new owners of the building and property, we will be making improvements," added Burreson. "We have made some repairs to the parking lot but, in the spring, it will be resurfaced and painted; the exterior of the store will be repainted, and there will be new signage for the shopping center."

Currently there is rental space available and several of the current businesses have thoughts of expanding and growing their businesses.

Burreson said he is looking forward to his new role by continuing to support and help businesses grow in the Belleville community and still being involved in managing Roy's Market in New Glarus.

Staff also want to remind customers who purchased gift certificates to Burreson's Foods that the gift certificates will be honored at Roy's Market in New Glarus.