Naifeh’s Cash Saver has been part of daily life in Covington since 1910, when Lebanese immigrant Joseph S. Naifeh opened the family’s first grocery store on the town square. More than a century later, the business remains in family hands, with a fifth generation carrying forward its tradition of personal service and community involvement.
Although the store has evolved with changing times, its hometown character remains firmly intact. Shoppers can browse fresh produce, quality meats, bakery items, deli favorites, and everyday groceries while enjoying the welcoming atmosphere of an independent neighborhood market. That balance of tradition and convenience has helped Naifeh’s endure while many longtime grocers have disappeared.
For Covington residents, it is more than a convenient place to shop—it is a familiar local institution shaped by generations of hard work, innovation, and commitment to the people it serves.
A Lebanese Immigrant Opened The First Store In 1910
A young man stepping off a long journey with big hopes and a new language to learn. According to the family’s own story, that is how Naifeh’s got its start back in 1910, when a Lebanese immigrant opened a small store in Covington. It was a bold move in a town where most folks had never met anyone from his part of the world.
Starting a business back then took grit. There were no credit card machines, no delivery apps, and no fancy marketing. Success came from showing up early, working late, and earning the trust of every customer who walked through the door.
Many immigrants in the early 1900s found their footing by opening small shops. Selling everyday goods was a way to meet neighbors, build a reputation, and provide for family at the same time. The Naifeh story fits right into that bigger chapter of American history.
What makes this beginning special is how long it lasted. Plenty of small stores from that era closed within a few years. This one planted roots deep enough to survive more than a century of change, which says a lot about the people behind the counter.
Here is something fun to think about. When the first store opened, cars were still a rare sight on most Tennessee roads. Customers likely arrived on foot, by wagon, or on horseback to pick up flour, sugar, and other basics.
If you visit the modern store today, take a second to remember that starting point. The shiny aisles and bright displays all trace back to one man taking a chance in a brand new place. That is a pretty great thing to carry in your mind while you grab a cart.
For history fans, the family’s website is a good place to learn more about their roots. Local libraries and the Tipton County community are also great sources for old stories and photos. Asking longtime residents can turn up memories you will not find anywhere online.
Every family business has an origin story, and this one is worth knowing. It is a reminder that hard work and courage can build something that lasts for generations.
Naifeh’s Began On Covington’s Historic Town Square
Every Southern town has its heartbeat, and in Covington, that beat has long come from the courthouse square. Naifeh’s early days are tied to that busy downtown hub. Back then, the square was where people shopped, swapped news, and caught up with friends.
Think of the town square as the original shopping mall. Banks, clothing shops, hardware stores, and grocers all sat within a short stroll of each other. A Saturday trip to town was a big event for farm families who lived out in the county.
Being right in the middle of the action helped the store get noticed. Folks heading to the courthouse or the bank could pop in for supplies on the way home. Location mattered then just as much as it does today.
Over the decades, shopping habits changed. Highways grew, cars became common, and bigger stores moved out to busier roads. Today, Naifeh’s Cash Saver sits at 951 US-51, where drivers can easily pull in and park.
Still, the square remains a fun place to explore. If you are visiting Covington, plan a short walk downtown before or after your grocery run. Look up at the old brick buildings and imagine what the streets felt like more than a hundred years ago.
A few tips make the trip better. Go on a pleasant afternoon, bring a camera, and peek into local shops that still call downtown home. Small businesses love seeing curious visitors.
Here is a neat way to connect the dots. Start your day on the square, picturing where the first store once welcomed shoppers. Then drive over to the modern location and see how far the business has come.
That journey from downtown storefront to highway supermarket tells the story of many American towns. Naifeh’s managed to make that leap without losing its hometown spirit. Not every business can say that.
Knowing where something started helps you appreciate where it is now. The square gave Naifeh’s its first home, and Covington gave it a reason to stay.
The Family Helped Customers Through The Great Depression
Money was tight. Jobs vanished, crops sold for almost nothing, and families across Tennessee worried about putting supper on the table. That was life during the Great Depression of the 1930s.
Small-town grocers played a huge role during those hard years. Family stories about Naifeh’s describe a business that stood by its neighbors when times were rough. In many towns, grocers let trusted customers buy now and pay later, keeping track in a simple notebook.
Imagine running a store when your customers cannot afford much. Every decision carried weight. Helping a struggling family meant taking a risk, but it also built loyalty that could last a lifetime.
That kind of kindness does not get forgotten. Kids who grew up during the Depression often told their own children about the shopkeepers who helped them. Those memories turned into generations of customers.
Here is a small history nugget. During the Depression, many families stretched food with creative recipes, using beans, cornbread, and garden vegetables. A local grocer was often the go-to source for cheap staples that kept bellies full.
So why does this matter for shoppers today? It shows the values baked into the business from its early years. A store that cared during the worst of times is one that understands its community.
You can still see a version of that spirit now. Reviewers mention staff who help customers using mobility scooters and workers who carry orders straight to waiting cars. Those small acts echo an older tradition of looking out for people.
Want to learn more about this period in Covington? Check with local history groups or ask older residents about their family memories. Stories passed down at the kitchen table often hold details you will never read in a textbook.
Hard times test a business in ways good times never do. Making it through the Depression helped prove that Naifeh’s was built on more than profit. It was built on relationships.
That foundation helps explain why the family name still means something in town. Trust earned decades ago keeps paying off today.
Grocery Innovations Made Naifeh’s A Local Pioneer
Old-school grocery shopping looked nothing like what you do now. Customers used to hand a clerk a list, and the clerk would walk around grabbing each item from behind a counter. Pushing your own cart down an aisle was once a brand new idea.
Naifeh’s has a reputation in Covington for keeping up with changes instead of resisting them. Over the years, the business adapted as self-service shopping, bigger stores, and new technology reshaped the grocery world. Staying flexible is a big reason the store is still around.
One modern twist stands out. Naifeh’s operates as a Cost Plus 10% store, according to the owners. Shelf prices show the store’s cost, and 10 percent gets added at the register to cover things like payroll, rent, and utilities.
Some shoppers love the transparency. Others get surprised at checkout because they forgot about that extra 10 percent. A smart move is to do quick math in your head as you shop, so your total does not catch you off guard.
Another upgrade is online ordering. One reviewer who is an amputee shared how easy it was to use the app, park, and have a worker bring groceries right to the car window. That is a real lifesaver for busy parents, older folks, and anyone with mobility challenges.
The store also goes beyond basic groceries. Shoppers mention Yeti coolers, Big Green Egg grills, and seasonal holiday items. Next door, a shop called Whiskey Business offers a walk-in store and a drive-through for spirits.
Fun fact time. The very first self-service grocery stores in America started popping up in Memphis, just down the road, in 1916. West Tennessee has a long history of shaking up how people buy food.
Being a pioneer does not always mean inventing something. Sometimes it means spotting a good idea and bringing it home before anyone else in town. Naifeh’s has made a habit of doing just that.
Next time you shop, notice the little conveniences. Each one shows a business that keeps asking how to serve customers better.
Five Generations Have Carried The Business Forward
Five generations. Let that sink in for a moment. Most family businesses struggle to make it past the second or third, yet Naifeh’s has passed the torch again and again.
Handing down a business is harder than it sounds. Each new leader has to learn the ropes, earn respect, and make tough calls in a world that keeps changing. Grandparents, parents, and kids do not always agree on the best path forward.
Somehow, this family found a way to keep things rolling. Each generation brought fresh energy while holding onto the store’s roots. That balance between old and new is the secret sauce many businesses never figure out.
Think about what each era looked like. One generation dealt with wagons and handwritten receipts. Another handled scanners, phone apps, and curbside pickup.
Growing up in a family store comes with its own lessons. Kids often start early, stocking shelves, sweeping floors, or bagging groceries. Those small jobs teach responsibility and show them what customers really need.
Here is a quick thought for young readers. If your family runs a business, or you dream of starting one, pay attention to how the Naifeh family did it. Patience, teamwork, and caring about people go a long way.
Covington residents notice the difference too. Shopping at a store where the owners have local roots feels personal. When something goes wrong, there is a real family name attached, and that adds accountability.
You can even spot that personal touch in how the store responds to feedback. Owner replies to online reviews explain policies and apologize when service falls short. That kind of attention fits a family that wants to protect a name built over a century.
Five generations also means five sets of memories. Somewhere in town, there are people whose great-grandparents shopped with the very first Naifeh. That is a connection most chain stores simply cannot match.
Keeping a business alive this long is a team effort. Every family member who stepped up helped write another chapter. And the story is still going.
Fresh Meat, Produce, And Baked Goods Fill The Store Today
Ask locals what to grab at Naifeh’s, and the word meat comes up fast. Shoppers mention the meat selection dozens of times in online reviews, and one fan called it the best in the county. Pork gets extra praise, especially those center cut pork chops.
One reviewer noted that packs of three or four chops can cost just over three dollars before the 10 percent markup. Prices change, of course, but that is a deal worth checking out. A butcher is on hand too, so feel free to ask questions or request a special cut.
Produce is another strong point. Customers talk about a large fruit section and plenty of fresh vegetables. Grab a basket of whatever looks best that week and build your meals around it.
Now, about that deli. Hungry shoppers rave about fried chicken, chicken salad, smoked meats, and even smoked Boston butts. Hot breakfast and lunch options make it an easy stop when you do not feel like cooking.
One fan claimed the deli food tastes as good or better than home cooking. That is high praise in the South, where home cooking is basically a competitive sport. Lunch lines can get long, so try going a little early.
The bakery deserves its own shout-out. A parent shared that the store decorated a birthday cake so well that every guest asked where it came from. Order ahead for parties so the team has time to make it special.
Cheese lovers will spot a full lineup of Pancho’s cheese dip, which is a Memphis-area favorite. You will also find dairy, desserts, and a solid selection of beer and wine.
Here is a pro tip. If you cannot find something, just ask. Reviewers say the staff will try to order items you need.
Shopping here is less about endless choices and more about quality picks. The store is smaller than giant supercenters, which means fewer steps when you only need milk and ground beef. Your feet will thank you.
Hometown Service Keeps Covington Shoppers Coming Back
A scooter battery dies halfway through a shopping trip. Instead of leaving the customer stranded, an employee hurries off and brings back a fresh one. That real story from a reviewer sums up why so many people stick with this store.
Friendly staff earns the most mentions in reviews, ahead of even the meat. Shoppers describe workers as kind, helpful, and respectful. Cleanliness also gets frequent praise, which matters a lot when you are buying food.
Another perk that feels almost old-fashioned is staffed checkout lanes. One family loved that registers stayed open and manned, complete with baggers. In a world of self-checkout machines, having a real person bag your groceries feels pretty nice.
To be fair, not every visit is perfect. Some reviewers have shared frustrating experiences, including rude moments and a pricing mix-up. The owners have responded to some complaints publicly, apologizing and saying they take concerns seriously.
Honest feedback like that is useful. It reminds shoppers that if something goes wrong, speaking up can make a difference. Ask for a manager politely, keep your receipt, and explain the issue clearly.
The hours make life easier too. The store opens at 7 AM every day and stays open until 9 PM Monday through Saturday, closing at 8 PM on Sunday. That covers early risers and late-night snack runs.
Need to call ahead? The phone number is 901-476-8213. It is handy for checking on a cake order or asking whether a certain item is in stock.
Online shopping and curbside pickup add another layer of service. Pull up, let the team know you have arrived, and your bags come straight to you. Perfect for rainy days or juggling sleepy kids in the back seat.
With a 4.4-star rating from nearly a thousand reviews, the store clearly does more right than wrong. Good service is not flashy. It is simply people paying attention, one shopper at a time.
Why Naifeh’s Remains More Than A Neighborhood Grocery Store
Some places sell groceries. Others become landmarks. In Covington, Naifeh’s has quietly moved into that second group.
Part of the magic is history. A store that started in 1910 has watched the town grow through wars, recessions, booms, and a whole lot of Friday night football games. It has fed weddings, funerals, birthday parties, and ordinary Tuesday dinners.
There is also a sense of pride. One reviewer said friends who moved away ask them to pick up special items they cannot easily find anymore. When people miss a grocery store after leaving town, you know it means something.
Shopping local keeps money in the community. Profits support local jobs, local families, and local causes. Choosing a hometown grocer over a giant chain is a small way to help your own neighborhood thrive.
Not everyone loves every part of the experience. Some shoppers feel prices were better at the old location, and others wish the 10 percent markup were more obvious. Those honest opinions are part of what keeps a local business working to improve.
Visiting for the first time? Head to 951 US-51 and give yourself time to wander. Check out the meat counter, grab something hot from the deli, and peek at the bakery case before you leave.
Want to make it a mini adventure? Pair your grocery run with a stroll around the historic square where the business first began. Seeing both spots gives you the full story in one afternoon.
For families, this can be a fun learning moment. Talk with kids about how stores worked a century ago and how they work now. A simple shopping trip suddenly becomes a history lesson.
Covington has plenty of charm, but few things capture its spirit like a family store that refuses to fade away. Naifeh’s carries memories from one generation to the next. That is something no supercenter can stock on its shelves.
So the next time you are in Tipton County, swing by. You might come for pork chops and leave with a little piece of local history.
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