More than five years after Rick’s Country Store in Sassafras closed its doors for the final time, the location has welcomed Pointers Country Mart, with a soft opening held on Friday. The store opened its doors at 5 a.m. and a steady influx of customers started to roll in around 6:30 a.m.
“We are just excited,” said the Pointers Country Mart owner Niral Patel regarding the opening of the store.
Patel said there are not a lot of gathering places and wants to “provide a community place for people to hang out.”
He purchased the property in 2023. Soon afterward, he began renovations to reopen the country store. The store’s manager is Toni Wisen, daughter of John and Ellen Wilkinson, who were the previous owners of Belroi Marketplace. Wisen was also its store manager and worked there for 20 years. Rick and Martha Northstein, the previous owners of Rick’s Country Store, owned the location from 1991 to 2019.
“I feel great,” said Wisen about the store being open. “I am from this area and I think the business will do very well.”
Pointers Country Store will have a variety of different food options as well as snacks, beverages, and other grocery items for its customers to enjoy. The store will carry tobacco and alcohol once they receive its ABC license. The store will also carry gas such as off-road diesel, on-road diesel and non-ethanol 93 octane gas. Other items the store will carry is livestock foods, dog food and fishing equipment. There are plans to have apparel eventually. The store also has outside seating areas for customers.
The country/convenience store will also have a deli where customers can grab a bite to eat. The deli is currently closed but will be opening soon. When it opens, it will serve food items such as chicken, potato wedges, fresh sliced meat sandwiches, freshly made sandwiches, grab and go sandwiches, Hunts Brothers Pizza and more. Ice cream, milkshakes and slushies are also available. Customers will be able to order food inside or call ahead to pick up their order.
Pointers is open Monday through Saturday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. There are plans to hold a grand opening of the location at a later date.