Barber shop out, corner store in at 12th and Mifflin
Even before we realized The Classics barber shop at 12th and Mifflin had closed, a corner store has swooped in to take its place.
Because of a formidable language barrier, we couldn’t get a lot of information on this place when we stopped by, but it’s a pretty typical corner store: cigarettes, candy, snacks, drinks, a handful of staples, etc.
The pictures pretty much tell the story of JKJ Grocery, at 1849 S. 12th St.:
We’ve said this before about other types of establishments, but how many corner stores like this can one neighborhood support?
Stores like these operate under a different set of business rules and can sustain. You rarely see them close. It’s like a serfdom similar to how many immigrants start driving cabs or working in those fruit and New York gyro carts all over the city. It’s really the only way a bodega can open quickly and legally and stock merchandise. Initial stock is a huge, huge cost.
Whomever Albert tried to contact at that store is paying off the business to the investor and probably just needs to make his rent and small “loan” payment but otherwise is taking home peanuts. They make just enough to sustain and that’s how first generation immigrants survive living in America. It’s how my immigrant great grandparents survived. Unfortunately, although these businesses rarely close they often change operators. But the new guy just keeps paying on the “loan”.
I’d say it is still an impovement over the barbershop.
Sustain is right. Fewer high quality convenience stores would be nicer.
Classiest corner in EPX –
grossest bar, bleh pizza shop, and now a junky food store.
I really can’t see that there’s any demand for this. I live less than a block away. This should appeal to my lazy ways, but if I really need something during the day super fast (meaning I don’t want to walk to the Acme or CVS), there’s Mike & Matt’s. At night, there’s Joe’s Market.
But if I were going to buy anything, I should probably do it now while the goods on the shelves are still kinda fresh…
This will soon morph into nail salon, completing the triumvirate of crappy south philly corner stores.
Don’t forget piss yellow beer distributor…
I loveeeeee when you see the store owners buying every box of cereal or bottle of soda on sale just to mark up the price 2 dollars when they sell it at their store. Of course these stores are convenient for a small purchase instead of going to the market but its unfortunate that when I go to the Acme the selection is less because one of the owners decided to buy 40 boxes of cheerios.
Just wait until you see the 14 cigarette signs on the corner. Very few of these corner store owners have been friendly to myself and people I know. They thrive off of the elderly and kids who stop in there to buy chips and soda only to throw their trash on the ground. Open up a business when you actually want to be a part of the community. ::Drops mic::
You’re right, small businesses are awful!
This should be turned into a surface parking lot immediately!
I know right?! all these people opening up businesses, they should be ashamed of themselves. They should Just sit back and collect welfare and contribute nothing to society.
That was a big leap from questioning the need for another corner store/food mart to decrying all small businesses.
I maintain that there are so many of these stores that many simply barely hang on since there is probably an oversupply.
The types of corner stores that open are often the easiest type of business to open rather than the type that is most needed.
Agree with Lee…
Love the food stamp signage, I hope this place falls into a sinkhole.