MOUNTAIN BROOK, Alabama -- The Crestline Piggly Wiggly will officially close its doors at the end of November.

In a statement issued today, store owner Andy Virciglio confirmed that despite their best efforts, the beloved pig will close its doors before year's end.

"We did our best to make this work," said Virciglio. "We tried and tried to work out our lease agreement. We agreed to the landlord's fair market rent increases. We have been good tenants in the space for 30 years, but the landlord chose to go another route with another tenant and unfortunately we cannot do anything about that."

As soon as word began to spread earlier this summer about the store's possible closing, thousands of Mountain Brook residents sprang into action.

More than 5,000 people showed support for the pig--"liking" the Facebook page, "Save the Crestline Pig" in droves just hours after it was created. Mountain Brook residents also created a website, "Save the Crestline Pig!" where concerned customers signed online petitions to try and keep the pig afloat.

Veteran "pigs" Sara Nall (center) and Caroline Bolvig (right) attend the "Save the Pig" public meeting on Monday, June 10, 2013 with their friend Brenda Schuler (left). (Ana Rodriguez/AL.com)

On June 10, "Save the Pig" members convened during a "Save the Pig" public meeting at Emmet O'Neal Library. One by one, pig lovers took to the microphone to share their favorite "Wiggly" memories.

"We need them here," said local caterer Delmar Hill.

The Virciglio family, said Hill, has always been supportive of fundraising efforts, local schools and the community in general.

With that, dozens of residents added to the sentiment--telling stories of stopping at the pig on a daily basis, sometimes two or three times a day.

"How many of you forget where you parked because it's your third trip to the store that day?" said one resident, before a crowd that had erupted in laughter.

In his statement today, Virciglio said that he does not know who will be moving into the space, but because their current lease "calls for us to be out by the end of November," the process of vacating the space will be effective immediately.

"I will begin talking with employees today," said Virciglio.

Rumors about a possible 'pig' replacement have been rampant since the beginning.

"We've heard that Walgreens is a possibility," Mountain Brook City Manager Sam Gaston previously told AL.com. "We've also heard that CVS Pharmacy may consider relocating to that space, but again, these are just rumors."

Sometime in the last few months, the Foresite Group, whose biggest client according to their website is CVS Pharmacy, submitted a letter of intent to lease the space.

In June, Gaston confirmed to AL.com that an engineering firm has indeed met with city officials inquiring about a potential drive-thru service at the location, though the firm did not specify whether they were there on behalf of the Piggly Wiggly or another business.

The pharmacy, said Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce president Terry Chapman in a previous email, was apparently willing to pay more rent for the space.

A move to a pharmacy-like business in the area, said Gaston, would mean more than just unhappy residents: it would mean a decrease in potential tax dollars. The city, said Gaston, calculates that a drug store-like business would only bring in approximately 20 percent of the tax dollars that the Piggly Wiggly currently generates for the city of Mountain Brook.

According to a memo written by Gaston for a series of budget meetings in August, the city prepared for a slight decrease in sales taxes "due to the anticipated closure of the Piggly-Wiggly in Crestline Village."

Many residents, like resident Kathryn Corey who was heavily involved in the "Save the Pig" movement, have expressed strong reservations about the possibility of a big-box store moving into the space. Hundreds of others have also taken to Facebook and posted comments in protest.

"It goes against the character of the community we live in," said Corey. "Our little villages are not conducive to big-box mentality. We're more conducive and supportive of locally-owned small businesses."

Fans of the store adamantly proclaimed that the pig--their pig--is more than just a grocery store.

Andy Virciglio, store owner of various Piggly Wiggly stores in the area, released a statement on September 12, 2013 about the Crestline location's closing. (The Birmingham News / Tamika Moore)

"Three generations of our family are involved in operating this store, and many of you know us by name," said Virciglio. "I have learned much from my father and the 'Stanley Virciglio Way:' treat customers, employees, vendors and everyone with respect and appreciation. I grew up at his side in this business, and I value that he taught me the right way to operate a neighborhood grocery store. Now, my son Austin is helping us retain these values while staying abreast of technology and innovations. That same level of commitment will remain at our other Piggly Wiggly locations in Homewood and River Run."

It's a community institution in Crestline Village, a gathering ground, said customers, kept vibrant and enjoyable because of its employees--men and women like Arrelia Callins.

Callins, who has worked as a store cashier since 1988, is a cardinal component of the Crestline Pig -- you can't talk about one without mentioning the other.

"Customers will wait until she can ring them up," Virciglio's son, Austin said in a previous interview. "If she's out one day, everyone notices."

She stood in the same spot every day five days a week, front and center in front of the sliding glass door.

Longtime customer Van Henderson laughs with Callins as she rings up his groceries. Arrelia Callins is one of the most recognizable figures at the Crestline Piggly Wiggly. Callins has worked in grocery stores for over 40 years and over 20 at the Crestline Pig. (Frank Couch/fcouch@al.com)

"From here," said Callins during an interview in July, "I can see everyone who comes in. I can say hello."

Like those who passed through her line, Callins recognized the larger-than-life quality of the store.

"There's something special about it," she said simply, "it's about generations of life. It brings me to tears to think that one day it might not be here anymore. I hope and pray that God touches someone's heart so that we can stay here."

Now, they will all have to say goodbye.

"For 30 years, the Crestline Piggly Wiggly has been a consistent supporter of community-based fund raisers and activities," said Virciglio. "We will miss that in Crestline, but our Homewood and River Run stores will maintain that Piggly Wiggly community involvement. And, especially we appreciate the outpouring of love and support this community has provided the store, each and every day."



(Updated at 2:34 p.m. to include more information)

