The Crenshaw County Chamber of Commerce has selected Food Depot-Super Foods in Luverne for the April business spotlight. 

The longtime Luverne grocery store is locally owned and operated by John and Lillian Wilson.

“[The Wilsons] have been in our community for so long, and they do so much for [it]; they enjoy giving back to [it],” said Amanda Martin, board member for the Crenshaw County Chamber of Commerce. “They really give back to the community as far as serving the food needs of our community.” 

The business was purchased by John “Jimmy” and Alyce Wilson in 1971 and was fully incorporated on June 1 of that year. Over time, the business has gone through different names like Big Bear, Super Food and now Food-Depot-Super Foods (Cost plus 10%).

According to John Wilson, the full-service store, where staff bagged and carried out the goods, was one of the first in the area to hire senior citizens to bag groceries. 

“My dad was working in front of the store one day and an elderly gentleman came in and [asked], ‘You wouldn’t happen to have any part time work [available]?’” Wilson said. “Dad got to thinking about it and thought, ‘You know, senior citizens would be a great fit here in the front of the store.’
“He hired a few senior citizens to work along with the young people, and it came out to be a great program because the senior citizens mentored the younger people, so it was a win-win situation for everybody.” 

Now the business is run by their son, John Wilson, his wife Lilian Wilson and their family. 

All four of Wilsons’ daughters are also involved in the business in some way. 

“I’m very proud of this place that my kids work [at]… I look forward to leaving it to them when I retire,” Wilson said. “It’s a legacy, something I want to leave my children.
“I’m very honored, it’s a great honor [to receive the business spotlight]. We have the best customers in the world, and we’re honored they think enough of us to shop with us, and we got the best employees too.” 

Martin said the town staple is equally valued by the community it serves.

“We’re just proud to have them be part of our community and continue to serve great products at a great price,” Martin said.