Grocery Store Gets New Owners

If any of you have been into the Family Foods on Short Street in Monticello recently, you may have noticed a small change or two – or you may not have.

If you have heard rumor of the local grocery store “being sold,” “changing owners,” or “is just different,” part of that rumor is true.

The Monticello Family Foods store has changed hands after 40+ years. Benny Bostick has run the grocery store since he bought it in 1972, and in December sold the store to business partners Jim Merrell and Jackie Quig.

Mr. Merrell will be the person who is primarily here in Monticello running the Family Foods. As far as other staff though, Kenny “Mo” Moore, was there Friday in his usual spot and the two new owners said that the employees will not change, that they will be the ones who have been there previously.

The two men own a local grocery store in Greensboro and have for the last two years. When I met with the two new owners and Mr. Bostick on Friday, I walked in and immediately noticed that the store was much more open and had brighter lighting.

Mr. Quig talked with me and said that “the opportunity to purchase this store came along, and we had to jump on it….We are looking forward to maintaining just a ‘Good ole fashioned grocery store.” He said that the main difference would be in the office staff, being them, the new owners, and maybe some fresh paint and updated looks. Even when I was standing there a customer walked by and said, “ya’ll have that meat case looking really good.”

Mr. Quig said that they weren’t planning on doing a lot of new things, he said “what we bought wasn’t broke, so there are few changes needed,” and that he was sticking with what worked here. He said that one of their main focuses as far as improvements was to have a full time butcher in the store at all times. They are looking into improving the meat department and case to make it more of a draw for customers.

“I hope to continue to serve the customers and the community and hopefully grow the business,” said Mr. Quig. He continued by saying that they were looking forward to working with those in the community such as the schools, churches, and other civic organizations to do what they can here in Monticello.

As far as the look of the store, it was good. As I mentioned the actual building was brighter. Mr. Quig said that there would be a “reset” happening this week, as some things would be moved around and the aisles would be wider with more room to get up and down them. The reset will allow the store to acquire new products and do away with some discontinued items. He emphasized that the biggest change would be the meat department, focusing on freshness, variety, and quality cuts.

Mr. Quig said that he is “excited to have some day to day consistency and to get to know the people here in Monticello. We are excited to continue to do what Benny has done for the last 40 years, and that is customer service.”

In closing Mr. Quig simply asked that people “come see us.” He encouraged everyone to stop in and see the store and to say hello.

Mr. Benny, now retired, looked great. Everyone here in Monticello knows him for the most part and he looked relaxed and refreshed. He said that he’s been getting rest, and that he has now started farming full time. There were several customers that came in the store, and shook his hand and told him that he was and would be missed.

When asked about the new owners and selling the business Mr. Bostick said “I think that I’ve sold the business to some really good people. As far as my customers, I’ve enjoyed them and doing business here in Monticello, and thank everyone for their support over the last 40 years.”

With that said, go by and see the store, the newly updated meat case and the new owners. It is a great gem and benefit to our city and county and you may be surprised how convenient and easy this local grocery store is. Shop small and keep our dollars here supporting what we love—this community!