On March 1st, 1972 the first National Pig Day was established to recognize the importance of swine in American culture. From the food we eat to our money that we put in ceramic banks, pigs are everywhere. In Illinois alone, pigs are responsible for $1.9 billion of the state’s commerce. At Buchheit, we have our famous Walk the Pig each Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM and 2 PM at all eight Buchheit retail stores.

How did the tradition of the Buchheit pig walk begin?

Tim Buchheit, CEO and Chairman of Buchheit Enterprises, Inc., visited the Memphis Peabody Hotel. He watched the famous Peabody Duck March and saw a crowd of adults and children gathered around to view the event. After seeing the appeal, he came up with the idea of the Buchheit pig walk. A pig was housed at one of the Buchheit retail stores as a “guinea pig.” Guests of Buchheit could walk it around the store and pet it. Seeing the success of the first pig, pigs were put in each retail store. Each Saturday and Sunday at 10 AM and 2 PM at all eight Buchheit retail stores you can come out and walk the pig around the store. The Buchheit pigs can be found on stickers, tattoos, shopping bags, and even on billboards.

More information about the Buchheit Pigs

  • The Buchheit pigs are primarily miniature pot-bellied pigs.
  • We are very selective with the pigs that we purchase from individual breeders. To ensure that they are the correct fit for each store, we also breed our own pigs.
  • Our pigs are all named Curly Sue. Whenever our pigs were first introduced into the stores the original names were voted on by the community in which they lived. We had names that included: Oliver, Miss Piggy, Peaches, Wilbur, Omar, Penelope, Willie, Bella, Daisy, Dotty, and Bella Rose.
  • The Buchheit stores carry a variety of products to keep your pig happy and healthy. We have a wide selection of premium pig feed, pig feeders, pig waterers, and toys.
  • During the holidays when the stores are closed, a designated team member takes the pig home to look after and care for it.
  • Most of our resident pigs have a bunny companion, Cottontail.
  • To ensure that our pigs are healthy, they are fed a nutritious and balanced diet, exercised regularly, and receive routine veterinary checkups.
  • Our pigs are kept at our stores for two years or less. After they retire, they are kept as pets and are relocated to a loving forever home.

Be sure and check out the Buchheit pigs, they’ll make you squeal with delight!