How convenient: Second market opens in north Greensburg, 2 doors down from another
The sign out front still reads “Mister Bones,” but the former sandwich shop on North Main Street now is home to the Greensburg Market convenience store.
Many of the people checking out the new store have had one big question, co-owner Nayan Joyappa said: Why open 100 yards away from Gateway Convenience, which has stood about 100 yards away on the same Greensburg street since 2010?
“It is competition, but we just want to be the best we can be,” Joyappa said, noting he doesn't think about his neighbors too much.
Joyappa and his partner, Azeem Chatta, both of Pittsburgh, opened the market this week .
Gateway owner Rick Grimme of Greensburg isn't thrilled to have a competitor two doors down, but said he understands that's the nature of retail sometimes.
“Business is business,” he said. “You can't stop someone from opening the same kind of store next to you.”
Both stores sell the typical convenience store fare — lottery tickets, cigarettes, snacks and beverages.
Mister Bones Bistro occupied 640 N. Main St. for about 16 years before closing late last year .
There are several reasons the location might work better for a convenience store than a restaurant, Joyappa said.
The property has ample parking and sees plenty of traffic coming in and out of the city. It's a bit removed from downtown Greensburg, which works well for a convenience store, he said.
“You'll never see a convenience store downtown,” he said. He and Chatta leased the property from owners Barry and Marian DeBone, of Greensburg.
Grimme had a similar idea eight years ago. The owner of several convenience stores and tobacco shops in Westmoreland County said he realized there was no convenience store on Greensburg's north side.
His location at 620 N. Main St., the site of a former gas station, also sat empty for some time before he opened. Since then, business has been steady, Grimme said.
Gateway's deli serves pizza, subs and other freshly made items.
“We've built our business on good customer service and consistent, quality food,” Grimme said.
The Greensburg Market sells pre-packaged food for now, but plans to offer pizza, ice cream and a menu of healthy lunch options starting next month, Joyappa said.
Gateway Convenience manager Mary Casper said she was “heartbroken” when she heard another convenience store was opening so close.
“I just couldn't believe it,” she said. “You could have put anything in there. Business is so tight these days. It's hard to make a buck; they're going to find that out, too.”
Grimme said he hopes there's enough customers to keep both stores busy.
“I don't wish anyone bad luck,” he said.
Jacob Tierney is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-836-6646, jtierney@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Soolseem.
