Beatty Street Grocery needs help staying financially afloat - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Beatty Street Grocery needs help staying financially afloat

A well-known eatery in downtown Jackson is feeling the impact of the rough economy. The Beatty Street Grocery and Market has been in business since 1940. But in the past few years, owners say it's been difficult to stay financially afloat.

The grits, biscuits with butter and breakfast sandwiches are just a portion of the popular food items sold at the Beatty Street Grocery.

"I've always made a good sandwich, you tell me what you want and I'll make it like that," said Beatty Street Grocery co-owner Malcolm Massey.

Beatty Street customer Harrel Wyatt has been a customer for forty years. "They're known for their Beatty burgers, but I got a bacon and egg biscuit this morning and my wife a bacon sandwich," said Wyatt."

The mom and pop eatery is a combination of a restaurant and convenience store. It's located at the intersection of Beatty and West Streets and has been open to the public for 72 years.

While customers continue to eat at Beatty Street Grocery, business sales are significantly down. Mary Harden, the daughter of the owners manages the store. She says among many economic factors, like the price of beef and food going up and a decline in customers, sales have dropped 25% since 2008.

Harden hasn't raised prices in years, but says that could change. "Now you can get an 8 ounce half pound burger, a fry and a drink for $5 tax included, I don't know how much longer I'll be able to sell it like that," said Harden.

The drop in business has also impacted the employees.

"We used to give them a week of vacation after six months and now we've had to cut back on that to be able to keep my ladies here and working for us," said Harden.

The Beatty Street Grocery stays very busy, but to entice more customers back down here the cooks have decided to go back to making hand-made burger patties which offer better quality and taste.

Despite a drop in business, Massey says there are no plans to shut down. "I've always said if I just make a little small profit than I can make it."

Family owned businesses like the Beatty Street Grocery aren't the only businesses feeling the impact of the turbulent economy. Big-name businesses are closing shop too. As WLBT has reported, the Sears located in the Metrocenter Mall, as well as the McComb and Columbus locations, are scheduled to close. 

Copyright 2012 WLBT. All rights reserved.