MILDRED — Worry no more sandwich lovers, the store in Mildred has re-opened. Formerly known as Charlie Brown’s, the Mildred Store opened June 2 under the new ownership of Loren and Regena Lance.
Also helping the Lances are their daughters Lydia Lance and Korenne Grzybowski and employees Rita Porzio and Marlene White.
“This store is an icon in our community,” Loren said. “When nobody stepped up we bought it.”
Loren farms east of town and Regena works at Fort Scott Community College as dean of instruction.
“We didn’t need it as income but this store is a tradition and a local treasure,” Regena said. “People in the community have come here for years.”
Loren said the store makes about 30 to 50 sandwiches a day. They also offer deli trays and candy around Christmas time.
The owners are also working with Thrive Allen County to bring in fresh produce for the store weekly.
The importance of the store really took ahold of Regena. She said one day after work she had come home and began making a cake and realized she didn’t have any eggs. She thought “Oh, I’ll just run to the store,” but remembered it was closed. Garnett’s grocery store is 22 miles away and Moran’s is 7.5 miles.
Charlie Brown’s closed March 28.
“Everyone tells us how happy they are to keep this open,” Loren said.
Regena said it was important to them to make the store technology savvy. It will now accept debit, credit and SNAP cards.
“We also have a website where people can make orders,” she said. “We’ll update specials on our Facebook page, too.”
The store is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The phone number remains 620-439-5424.
The store will have its grand opening on June 28.
“If it goes as smooth as it’s been going, we’ll do well,” Loren said.
