Changes are being made at Dixie Dandy, located at 1015 Dothan Rd. in Bainbridge. It  will become Dixie Dandy IGA starting next week.
Walter Goodman and his wife Del have owned and operated the grocery, perhaps best known for their smoked meats and “homemade” sausages, in West Bainbridge since 1976.
Joining in the new venture is their son Mark, who has come back home to be assistant manager and eventually taken over full management responsibilities.
The Goodmans are very excited about the conversion to an IGA affiliate.
By joining IGA’s alliance of independent grocery retailers, with nearly 5,500 stores around the world, they will be enabled to better serve the Bainbridge community.
They maintain being with IGA will give them the opportunity to provide customers with a broader selection that includes IGA’s extensive line of private label products, better service from the store’s IGA training-certified employees, and a renewed community-focus through participation in IGA’s community events.
“With IGA, we can give Bainbridge the best of both worlds — the kind of friendly, responsive service you get from a store locally owned by people you know and trust and the assurance of quality programs and services only a globally-recognized brand can deliver,” said Walter Goodman. “No matter where you go in the world, people recognize the IGA logo and equate it with hometown community pride. That is what Dixie Dandy has always been about, and now we have the opportunity to be that and so much more. We look forward to introducing Bainbridge to all the products and services that come along with the IGA brand.”
Son Mark brings his 12 years of sales and public relations experience to the business and plans to put an emphasis on making it a fresh market concept, promoting seafood, produce (some locally grown) and meats. He said their new logo will be, “Come and get fresh with us.”
The Goodmans say the store will remain open without interruption during the conversion, which begins on Monday. Plans are to host a grand re-opening in mid-May.
To learn more about the business go to www.dixiedandy.net .