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Filling A Void: Produce Store Open In Molino
February 8, 2010
When Molino’s only grocery store closed a few years ago, it left a void in the community. There are a couple of convenience stores remaining, but a trip to the grocery store meant a 40-plus mile round trip toward Atmore or Century, or almost a 20 mile round trip to Cantonment.
Fran Hampton, owner of Fran’s Country Grill, decided to take part in an experiment of sorts to find out if the Molino area would support a local store again. The experiment is called Molino Produce.
As the name implies, it’s not a full-service grocery store, but an indoor produce market that offers a selection of staples like milk, eggs, sugar and bread in addition to produce. And it’s located in a former meeting room of Fran’s restaurant.
“Ms. Fran and I talked about this for a long time, and we saw a real need,” said Harlen Johnson who runs Molino Produce. “We wanted to see what happens and see if the need would justify a full store.”
The produce market has a full selection of items, especially for February, a traditional low-inventory month for produce. The store also stock items like sour cream, Amish cheese and butter, stone ground grits and a variety of Amish jams, jellies and preserves.
“The freeze in Florida has caused a little hardship for produce, especially tomatoes and even cabbage,” Johnson said. “But I’m working to get the prices back down as low as I can.”
As the weather warms and more local fresh items are available, the community can expect to see them in Molino Produce, he said. “People want to eat as healthily as possible, and fresh produce is one way to do that.”
“I think this store will mean a lot to the community,” Johnson said. “It will save that 8-9 mile drive when people can shop right here in the community. We are hoping to see a lot of support.”
Molino Produce is located next to Fran’s Country Grill on Highway 29. It is open Monday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Pictured top: Harlen Johnson and Molino Produce, next to Fran’s in Molino. Pictured inset: The store has a variety of Amish jams, jellies and preserves. Pictured bottom: Molino Produce has opened in the North Escambia community. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
19 Responses to “Filling A Void: Produce Store Open In Molino”
this is sooo exciting!….do they take credit cards?…be nice if they sold ground coffee (foldgers) too…my husband has been known to drive about 15 miles or so, towards town, when we have run out of coffee unexpectedly..might as well sell half/half too!! …but, i cant wait to go visit the new store..
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Well this will put the competition out of business, then they can open
a full line store.
Harlan Johnson used to own the Barnes Supermarkets. I think he still owns the one on Pace Blvd.
I will check them out this weekend….they’re about 10-15 miles from me, but I will make the trip.
i went in there yesterday and the lady was really nice and helpful.i hope this store helps us out!
thank you fran
Look at the price of the potatoes. You will not believe the prices. Move over Wal Mart.
I am happy to have a Molino Produce out here .This summer I was stopping behind Maries dinner in cantonment every sunday after church to get garden tomatoes. I went into Molino Produce and they had alot of stuff and it was fresh but if we don’t support them the stuff will rot so Molino get up and get to the place and shop until you drop.
Great produce, breakfast first, then shop all done, we need this so badly, and the owner is a super guy who will go out of his way to help you as I found out when I needed to buy a jacket they had on sale but didnt have the size I wanted, they not only got the size but called me when it came in
i am glad molino need something for molino res we do the best we can around here i hope he stays around for a while good luck
I wish they delieverd…hint…hint.
HOORAY for another small business. The backbone of our economy!
I hope it turns out to be succesful! Harlen Johnson sounds familiar. Wasn`t that the name of the grocery store at the crossroads at one time?
I’m so excited to hear about this produce market. I know there is another one close to Cantonment (which is where I live) but I’m not always impressed with what they have. I am more than willing to drive the 6 miles to Fran’s to buy produce.
Good and creative way to “produce” more income. Clever way for two business types to work together! Good Luck! Hope Filly’s doesn’t get hurt by new Molino Produce. It’s a tough time for everyone these days…I think we should support Molino as a whole.
We have shopped in the store many of times its great to have it there.I love the produce…
Gotta love the country!
You know Filly’s has been open for sometime and I hope they will continue to do well. This store ( at fran’s site ) is good for the comunity also but they need to do somthing about the sign its a saftey hazard.
This is great. I can’t wait to check it out. It is much bigger in the pictures than I thought it would be. If they have milk all the time, I would rather stop here than at the gas station on the corner that sells beer and lotto. Not against those things, but the lines are so long.
thats why we LOVE the country andwhy we LOVE Ms. Fran!!!!!!!!!!!