WM Grocery - A Legacy of Family, Community, & Growth
✍️ By Kelly Caldwell
🛒 Small-Town Roots, Big Dreams
When Doug Williams opened WM Grocery in 1993, he never imagined the journey that lay ahead. Starting a small-town grocery store in Wedowee, Alabama, was no easy task, but Doug was no stranger to hard work.
He had a vision—to create a store that provided quality products with a personal touch, where customers were more than just transactions. Thirty-two years later, that vision is thriving under the leadership of his son-in-law, Steven Lines, who took the reins in 2020 and continues to honor the legacy while growing the business. 💙
❄️ Trial by Fire: The Early Days
Doug’s introduction to the grocery business came with a crash—literally. Just 10 days after WM Grocery opened its doors, the infamous 1993 blizzard hit.
“We had rented the building where the gym is now, and that night, the storm took out our storefront,” Doug recalls. “We lost power for four days, and I thought, ‘Well, this is a trial by fire!’”
But Doug and his wife Kira didn’t back down. They kept pushing forward, even when the going got tough.
In those early days, WM Grocery was a true community hub.
“90% of my employees were high school kids,” Doug says with a smile. “We took care of them and had employee meals—hot dogs, whatever we had. I felt like I could move a mountain with those kids.” 💪
🏗️ Moving to Meet Demand: A Bigger, Better Store
By the early 2000s, it became clear that WM Grocery needed to grow. Customers wanted more variety, more products, and more space.
In 2001, the family decided to build a new, larger location just before Thanksgiving.
“We had always wanted to move, but financially, it was a stretch,” Doug admits. “But we knew if we didn’t do it, someone else would. So, we took the leap.”
The new location gave WM Grocery room to expand its offerings and prepare for the growing influence of Lake Wedowee, which was bringing more seasonal residents and tourists to the area.
👨👩👧👦 Steven Steps In: A New Era Begins
Steven Lines never expected to follow in Doug’s footsteps. With a degree in healthcare administration and a career at Princeton Hospital in Birmingham, his path seemed set. But after marrying Ashley, Doug’s daughter—who designed the floorplan for the Heflin location—Steven found himself drawn to the family business.
“I was working full-time in Birmingham, but I’d come back on weekends to help at the store,” Steven says. “One day, Doug asked me if I wanted to come work with him, and I said, ‘I will, but if I’m going to do this, I want to own my own store one day.’”
That dream became reality in 2008 when Steven spearheaded the opening of a new location in Heflin—right as the economy crashed.
“We opened in June 2008, and for the first few years, it was a struggle. I worked two years without taking a day off,” Steven recalls.
But with perseverance and a commitment to earning the community’s trust, Heflin eventually became a success.
Luke Bowman, who started by cleaning floors and helping paint the store while in college, also became an integral part of the Heflin location’s growth. He worked his way up and now serves as a key leader within the company.
🤝 Community at the Core: Relationships Matter
One thing that has never changed at WM Grocery is its commitment to community.
From the early days when Doug employed local high schoolers, to today’s stores where employees are treated like family, the culture has always been built on relationships.
“We offer insurance, 401k, sick time, and vacation time because we want our employees to do well,” Steven says. “We believe that taking care of your people pays off—and it has.” 🙌
🏬 Expanding the Legacy: New Locations, Same Values
WM Grocery didn’t stop with Wedowee and Heflin. Over the years, Doug and Steven saw opportunities to expand while maintaining their commitment to quality and service.
They acquired stores in Piedmont and Roanoke, each with its own challenges.
“When we bought Piedmont, I found a manager who had been there forever,” Steven says. “Today, she is still running the store and does a great job!”
It’s all about empowering the right people.
🦠 COVID: A Defining Moment
The pandemic in 2020 brought unexpected challenges, but it also marked a turning point for WM Grocery. As an essential service, the stores had to stay open.
“I lived in a camper in the front yard for two months because I didn’t want to risk getting my family sick,” Steven recalls.
“Doug and I knew if one of us went down, the whole operation could suffer. That’s when we decided it was time for me to officially take over.”
COVID accelerated the transition that had been years in the making. Doug, ever the mentor, stepped back while Steven took charge.
🔮 Looking Ahead: Building for the Future
With four thriving stores and a strong team, WM Grocery is well-positioned for the future.
Steven hopes that one day, one of his children or another family member might step up to continue the legacy.
“They’ll have to earn it,” Steven says with a grin. “But we want them to understand the value of hard work and the responsibility that comes with running a business that supports so many families.”
❤️ A Legacy Built on Family and Community
Today, WM Grocery is more than a store—it’s a testament to what’s possible when a family pours its heart into a community.
From Doug’s humble beginnings to Steven’s innovative leadership, the story of WM Grocery is one of perseverance, growth, and an unwavering commitment to people.
“We’ve always believed that if you take care of your people, they’ll take care of you,” Doug says. “And that’s exactly what’s happened here.”
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