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Formerly Hen'n Food Store, the Corner Grocery is now owned by Connie Messer, who along with her husband, Rick, is pleased to be part of the St. Martin business community.

Connie Messer rings up a customer, one of her many duties as the owner of the St. Martin Corner Grocery Store since September.

Messer took over the grocery in mid-September. Since then she has added new products, including hot dogs and hot deli sandwiches for lunch, hot coffee and cappuccino, and magazines. In addition, the store now accepts credit cards and food stamps.

The store is also open longer, from 6:30 a.m to 7:30 p.m. from Mondays through Saturdays and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Messer believed that her customers wanted their grocery items to be competitively priced, so she now has regular specials.

Messer, who is originally from St. Martin, always wanted to own a business, and when the Corner Grocery became available, she seized the opportunity, figuring it was a good one, she said. So far, business is good, she reported, and she's enjoyed getting to know her customers.

For now, Messer will be helped in the store by Rick, who is a contractor and doesn't work in the winter, and their parents, but eventually she may find it necessary to hire a part-time employee, she said.

The Messers have two toddler boys, Riley and Ryan. They enjoy taking weekend trips with their family, and taking care of their many pets at home.