Weigel's
 | |
| Private | |
| Industry | Convenience store |
| Founded | December 9, 1958 |
| Founder | Lynn B. and William W. Weigel |
| Headquarters | Powell, Tennessee, U.S. |
Number of locations | 62 stores (2014) |
Area served | Knoxville Metropolitan Area |
| Website | http://www.weigels.com |
Weigel's is a gas station and convenience store chain located in the Knoxville, Tennessee and Tri-Cities, Tennessee areas.
History
The Weigel family entered the dairy business in 1931 with a "herd" of four cows, selling raw milk for nine cents a gallon. In 1936, a used pasteurizer was purchased and the dairy became one of the first in East Tennessee to distribute pasteurized milk. A total of 12 people were employed by the farm and dairy at the time.
In 1938, management of the operation passed completely to Lynn B. and William W. Weigel, both men having graduated from the University of Tennessee's School of Dairy Science. Lynn was in charge of the office and dairy operations and William was in charge of farm operations and marketing. In 1947, the new plant was modernized, and ice cream and cottage cheese production were added.
Primarily to provide an outlet for their returnable gallon milk jugs and other dairy products, the Weigel brothers opened drive-through stores in East Tennessee. 500-square-foot (46 m2) Store Number 1, on Sanderson Road in Knoxville, opened on December 9, 1958. Walk-in stores didn't appear until June 1964, when Store Number 12 opened on Oak Ridge Highway.
Lynn B. Weigel died on Sunday, December 19, 2011, in his home in Knoxville, Tennessee. He is survived by his wife Kathleen and his son, Lynn, Jr.
Today
Today Weigel's Farm Stores, Inc. operates more than 60 dairy and convenience stores, all within a 50-mile (80 km) radius of corporate headquarters in Powell, Tennessee. Weigel's sells their own brand of milk, fruit juice, and iced tea. They also have an award-winning selection of coffee, cappuccino, and hot chocolate.
External links
- Weigels.com (official site)