BizBeat: New convenience store opens on Clark Avenue

Cameron Gerber/News Tribune photo: 
King of Discount Grocery and Tobacco recently opened its doors at 627 Clark Ave. in Jefferson City.
Cameron Gerber/News Tribune photo: King of Discount Grocery and Tobacco recently opened its doors at 627 Clark Ave. in Jefferson City.

With the closure of Jefferson City's Save A Lot, another new business in the area is hoping to fill the affordable food void for the community.

King of Discount Grocery and Tobacco opened on Clark Avenue a little more than a week ago, seeking to provide snacks, drinks and tobacco products while stocking affordable grocery items, from milk and bread to other grocery essentials.

Owner Faiz Ali said he operated a similar store in Illinois and moved here recently with family. While the former Break Time hasn't been fully stocked as of last week, he said customers were happy to already have a replacement to the discount grocery store that just closed a few blocks away.

"A lot of people are very happy to see this," Ali said. "Everyone has talked about how much they needed this here so that they didn't have to drive across town for their groceries. I like the area, and this is just how it all worked out."

He said the small business was already popular a week into its operations, with plenty of interest from local customers despite around half of the inventory being stocked thus far. He said other items, including a flavored frozen drink machine, hot dogs and nachos will be available soon.

The former Save A Lot, which was located at 1228 E. McCarty St., served as an accessible and affordable grocery option for local shoppers just across the highway. Ali said he hoped his new store could help fill the need without customers having to travel too far for essentials or other items.

"People are happy that we're here, and I am too," Ali said. "It's awesome to see. I hope we do good for them."

King of Discount Grocery and Tobacco is located at 627 Clark Ave.

Know of any business happenings around Jefferson City? Let us know at [email protected] or 573-761-0243.