For many of you who drive the eastern part of Routes 98/50 (and about two miles east of the bypass), there is a store on the north side of the road that is unlike any of the other businesses in the area. Many people use it as a landmark when giving directions to a stranger (or just someone new to the area). I am talking about the store named Blanche’s and their well-known set of tanks, painted to resemble huge cans of soda or, as they would be called up north, “pop!” This store has been in existence since before I moved into Hernando County, around 1982!
I had noticed that they had closed their doors a while back, and as I try not to be too nosy, I didn’t inquire as to the reason for their closure. After it opened back up, I was (however) curious enough to stop in and pick up a juice drink, and as I was there, I asked some questions. There was only one person in the store when I came in. I asked the gentleman if he was the owner and how long the store had been reopened. He said that he was the new owner and that the store had been open for around a month. (Then he kind of gave me that look, like “why is this guy asking all these questions”)! So I introduced myself and mentioned that I did some writing for this paper and that I was looking for an interesting story to go in this week’s publication. I set out from the house earlier today, looking to possibly do a piece of some protesters at the County Courthouse, but by the time I got there, all was good in that neighborhood! And also, as it was such a nice day out, I decided to blow some of the dust off the Suzuki! That was how (and when) I noticed the “Store Open” signs along the road.
The new owner’s name is Mr. Bani Mourad, and he has been a resident of our county for well over a decade. He had done jobs in the past dealing with very large hotel chains, as well as dabbling in some real estate on the side. He also stated that he had always wanted to have his own store, so when the chance came along, he “took the leap of faith” and made it happen.
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I was speaking to the young lady who works at Blanche’s about their fishing and bait supplies. I mentioned to her that a few months back, I had been in the sporting goods section of a Walmart, and saw an unscrupulous scenario play out at the night crawler (worms) kiosk. It involved a customer who was not happy with the number of worms in his container, and satisfied himself by taking more worms out of another cup, and putting them into the one that he was going to take up to the register. Now, I am not one to rat out my neighbor, but I am telling you (as I told both Mr. Mourad and his female associate) that there are some people that would rather rip off another fisherman, than pay a few more bucks, because when that other container was eventually bought, and the person got out on the water looking to bring in some nice fish, they probably only had one or two worms left in the cup.
SO, if you go to a store around this area, and you wish to by some of these worms, take an extra minute, and look into the cup before you leave the store, to make sure you are getting what you paid for, as one would do when they are checking for cracked eggs in the containers in the grocery store dairy section.
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Also needed to be mentioned here is the fact that Mr. Mourad has decided to bring in foodstuffs that are of a better nutritional quality than many other “C” stores (hence, the reason I asked him to pose with one of the chip products)! It is a good day in this country when someone can realize the “American Dream” and own their own store. It is also a good thing to see Blanche’s doors open and doing their part in the much-needed supply chain of this county! I hope that y’all have a fine week (and maybe do some fishing as well)!
