Lyn’s Mini Mart held its grand opening March 7 at the Bena Country Store building on Guinea Road, Bena.

Owner Lyn Bradford, who also owns another convenience store on Hickory Fork Road at White Marsh, said customers were offered free cake and drinks.

Bradford owns the business and leases the building, which most recently housed a frame and craft shop. She is assisted by her son, Bradley, 23, who also works at her other store. Her grandfather, Francis Chen of Hampton, and her mother, Leonile Batul, also of Hampton, help on occasion.

The new store is filled with all types of basic grocery items, Bradford said, such as bread, soft drinks (she’s applied for a state Alcoholic Beverage Control sales permit), candy, cakes, canned goods, eggs, milk and hot dogs. Also, there’s a selection of pet food, incense, lots of health and beauty items, an assortment of gift items and clocks, DVDs and videos, and a large selection of party items such as balloons.

Later this spring, B...