You’re driving through Clay County, maybe passing the old salt works or heading toward the Daniel Boone National Forest, and you realize you need milk. Or maybe you're craving that specific kind of fried catfish that only a hometown deli gets right. For decades, the answer was simple: "Just go to the IGA."
But if you’ve driven past the Manchester Square Shopping Center recently, you might have noticed something different. The red and white oval is gone. In its place is a sign for The Market at Manchester.
It’s a bit of a shock for folks who grew up with the Independent Grocers Alliance as a permanent fixture of the landscape. Honestly, the change caught a lot of people off guard. But here’s the thing: it’s the same heart, just a different name on the lease. As of early 2025, the IGA in Manchester KY officially transitioned to an independent brand under CW Foods, LLC.
What Really Happened to the IGA in Manchester KY?
Let’s clear the air because rumors in a small town travel faster than a summer thunderstorm. The store didn't close. It didn't go bankrupt. It basically just "graduated" from the IGA franchise system.
The decision to drop the IGA banner was about local control. When a store is part of a massive alliance like IGA—which has been around since 1926—they have to follow certain protocols. By becoming "The Market," owner Jed Weinberg and his team at CW Foods can now source products from whoever they want. This means they can hunt for better deals on the stuff Manchester actually buys, rather than what a corporate office in Chicago thinks people in Appalachia need.
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Jed Weinberg isn't some suit from out of state, either. He's an Eastern Kentucky guy through and through, originally from Knott County. He manages several stores across Frenchburg, Martin, and Salyersville. He’s the type of guy who looks at a grocery store and sees a community hub, not just a line item on a spreadsheet.
Why the Name Change is Actually a Good Move
- Better Prices: Without franchise fees, they can technically lean harder into discounts.
- Custom Stock: If a local farmer has a bumper crop of corn, "The Market" has more leeway to put it on the shelves quickly.
- Modern Tech: They’ve rolled out the Appcard system, which handles digital coupons and those "Throwback Thursday" deals people are starting to talk about.
- Solar Power: Interestingly, Weinberg has been a leader in the "Solar Switch." He’s been installing solar panels at his locations (like the one in Salyersville) to lower overhead, which eventually helps keep food prices from skyrocketing.
The Deli: The Undisputed King of Manchester Square
If you ask a local why they still shop at the former IGA in Manchester KY, they aren't going to talk to you about supply chains or solar panels. They’re going to talk about the deli.
There is a specific smell to a Kentucky IGA deli—a mix of pressure-fried chicken, salty potato wedges, and a hint of sweet tea. The Market at Manchester has kept that tradition alive. Their fried chicken remains a staple for Sunday dinners when nobody feels like heating up the kitchen.
I've heard people swear by the pasta salads and the cakes, too. It’s that "home-cooked" vibe that big-box retailers like Walmart just can't replicate. When you walk up to that counter, the person behind it usually knows your name, or at least knows exactly how you like your catfish breaded.
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A Different Kind of Shopping Experience
Is it perfect? Kinda depends on what you're looking for.
If you want 50 different types of organic kombucha, you might be disappointed. This is a hometown grocery store. It’s built for the family that needs a good roast for the crockpot, a gallon of 2% milk, and maybe a bag of ice for the cooler.
The aisles are wide. It's clean. One of the biggest complaints you hear about modern grocery shopping is the "self-checkout gauntlet." At The Market (the old IGA), they still prioritize having actual humans at the registers. It’s a slower pace of life, sure, but it feels a lot less like being processed through a factory.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Hours: They generally open early (around 7:00 AM or 8:00 AM) and close by 9:00 PM. It’s not a 24-hour spot, so don't show up at midnight expecting a loaf of bread.
- The Gas Rewards: One of the perks they've kept and improved is the link between groceries and fuel. You buy your food, you save on gas. In 2026, with prices being what they are, that’s not just a perk—it’s a necessity.
- Location: It’s still at 414 Manchester Square Shpg Ctr. Same parking lot, same neighbors.
Is the "New" Store Better?
There’s always a bit of nostalgia for the IGA brand. It felt sturdy. It felt like "the way things have always been." But the reality of the grocery business in rural Kentucky is that you have to be nimble.
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By stepping away from the IGA alliance, the Manchester store has joined a smaller, more focused group of Eastern Kentucky markets. They are sharing resources with stores in Salyersville and Frenchburg, which gives them a different kind of "buying power" that is specifically tailored to our region’s tastes and budgets.
People used to worry that the IGA in Manchester KY would eventually be swallowed up by a massive national chain. This move to "The Market" is actually the opposite—it’s a doubling down on local ownership.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Visit
If you haven't been in since the name change, you’ve gotta do a few things to make sure you aren't overpaying.
First off, download the Appcard. I know, I know—another app. But that’s where the digital coupons live now. They don’t really do the old-school paper circulars like they used to. If you want those "Throwback Thursday" prices, you need the app.
Secondly, check the meat department. One thing that hasn't changed is the presence of actual butchers. Most big stores get their meat pre-packaged in "case-ready" plastic from a plant three states away. Here, you can actually ask for a specific cut or have something trimmed down. That’s a dying art, and it's worth supporting.
Actionable Steps for Manchester Shoppers
- Sign up for the Gas Rewards: Don't leave money on the table; link your grocery purchases to your fuel pump.
- Visit the Deli before 1:00 PM: If you want the best selection of the hot lunch specials, go early. The catfish and fried chicken move fast.
- Use the Appcard: Check the app on Wednesday nights so you know what the Thursday "Throwback" deals are before you head out.
- Talk to the Butcher: If you don't see the cut of meat you want, just ask. They are usually more than happy to help you out.
The IGA in Manchester KY might have a new name on the front, but for the people of Clay County, it remains the same reliable anchor it has been for decades. It's a place where business is still done with a smile, and the "simple goodness" of a local market isn't just a marketing slogan—it's just how they do things.