McKENZIE — ABC Discount Grocery is now operating in downtown McKenzie at 585 Main Street North, at the intersection of Lee and Main.

Jay Cooper and wife, Tara, opened the store in 2020 and hoped to have a grand opening celebration, but due to the pandemic, chose to delay any celebrations. ABC gets its name from the couple’s three children, Asher, 5, Brycen, 11, and Carter, 16.

Jay left his employment at a factory to open the discount grocery. He said he researched the industry and visited other discount grocery stores before opening the downtown business, which operates in a 3,000 square-foot facility. The store carries cereals, canned goods, juice, coffee, snacks, pet foods, soft drinks, eggs, dairy products, cleaning supplies, and some over-the-counter medicines and vitamins. Freezers will soon be added for frozen foods. Since it is a wholesale grocery, Jay said you never know what you are going to find in stock.

Jay said customers can expect a clean and well organized store.

Jay’s application for EBT (food stamp) approval is pending as he awaits a visit by state inspectors, who have curtailed their visits during the pandemic.

The downtown location is convenient for many walkers and has limited reserved parking for customers.

Store hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday during the winter, with an extension of 30 minutes during summer.

The phone number is 731-393-0260.