Pam Dudding-Burch
Contributing writer
It seems like more and more Craig County residents are gardening again, as well as raising farm animals. A new store will be opening soon to help citizens buy their local feed and many other products.
Robbie Carper is opening his second store in Craig. This one will be on route 311 where Lilly’s was in front of the fish pond. He hopes to be opening the week of June 4-9.
Robbie Carper, the owner of the New Castle Subway, is underway in opening a new business, Carper Quick Mart & Supply in Craig County, where ‘Lilly’s’ used to be on Route 311 previously.
“I have wanted to open a pet/farm feed store for some time, and I believe this will help our community,” Carper said. “This location was nice due to the good traffic flow and the overall country setting.”
Carper is excited about his new venture and has chosen to focus on having a good variety of pet and farm feeds and supplies. He will also have several convenience items, but not the kind that most people think of. He will be carrying brand name flour and baking needs as well as some surprise items.
Some specific brand names intend to be: Rockingham, Southern States and Big Spring Mills among others. For pets, he will carry Purina, Pedigree, Valu-Pak, Diamond and Southern States. “We will also carry a few items for smaller pets like Guinea Pigs and Gerbils,” Carper added.
Carper also will be selling branded Spirit Station gasoline and will offer on and off-road diesel. “We will be a Big Game Checking Station,” Carper said. “We will have some promotional events based on the hunting season too.”
Future plans are to have events such as small animal swaps, yard sales and animal clinics with the possibility of some farm and pet educational events.
Due to some unpredictable delays, his Grand Opening has been pushed to June 9, unless something significant happens. Everyone can keep tabs with Carper by checking out his Facebook page.
Their business hours will be Sunday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Monday through Thursday and 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday. Carper added, “We are always looking for great candidates for hire and people can apply in store once we are open.”
“We will not have everything on opening day, but hope to grow our inventory as we go,” Carper said. “Although we will not be able to carry everyone’s request, we encourage them to let us know when they’re in the store or contact our Facebook page with any requests. If I can get their product at a good price and we have enough requests for that item, we will try to make it an everyday shelf item.”
The plan is to open the doors of his new business the week of June 4 – 7. Pepsi 2–liter drinks for only .99 and the enormous 57# bag of Purina Dog Chow for only $22.99 will be some of the great promotional sales.
Upon opening, they will be serving breakfast biscuits and hot dogs. Carper invites the community to enjoy his backyard peace. “You can drop by, get a biscuit and coffee and enjoy the view from sitting on the back deck,” he said.
