Lil’ Pig Market owner Vivek Patel sits at the counter where patrons can dine and wash or dry their laundry at the same time.Rossville’s Lil’ Pig Market isn’t so “lil” anymore. The store recently grew to 3,150 square feet with the addition of a kitchen for hot, on-site meals, a game room with a pool table and lottery machines, several aisles’ worth of typical convenience store fare, commercial style washers and dryers and an expanded selection of wine and beer. Owner Vivek Patel said he will introduce craft beer slowly over the next few weeks to see if people like it.
“I wanted a new building because we did not have enough parking,” he said. “People can eat here at the counter and fold their laundry on the table. I have a full deli. I created my own brand, Lil’ Pig Deli. I’m fixing my deli menu. I cook hamburgers, fix cold-cut sandwiches, Hunt Brothers pizzas, chicken wings and hot dogs. We also do hot fresh biscuits and egg sandwiches in the mornings.
“Some people eat here three to four times a week now.”
On the drink station area next to the counter, people will find regular boiled peanuts and Cajun style boiled peanuts, nine different flavors of Slush Puppie Icees, a Coca-Cola fountain drink machine, a cappuccino machine and a cream and sugar station.
“I wanted an open concept,” he said, sitting in one of six chairs at his counter top area for dining. “I did not have an engineer. I did the design. I chose contractors from the local area. I want to give business to people that give me business.”