New convenience store operators introduce business, cite supply challenges to Struthers City Council

Two representatives of a neighborhood convenience store introduced themselves during public comment to the Struthers City Council, saying they plan a community-focused operation but have faced vendor and supply problems since taking over the business.

Gulab, a business representative, told the council, "I've been in the business for almost 25 years." He said the family experience taught him "how to start the business" and that running neighborhood stores makes operators "more of a community director."

Ali, a business representative, identified "JMB Bard" as the owner of the business and described the store's product mix and early operational challenges. "It's pretty much everything, but the convenience store should have. It's just like maybe a lot of convenience store don't have kratom or the other CBD products. So I introduced that over here also," Ali said. He added that most of their other stores are in and around Pittsburgh and that their stores typically sell beer.

Both speakers said the store has experienced supply disruptions after the ownership change. Ali said the takeover coincided with the holiday season and vendors "weren't showing up," leaving the store in "survival mode" while staff worked to restore basic inventory such as freezer bags, chips and other items. He said the operators spent two months returning to baseline and expect to spend "the next few months" stabilizing operations.

The comments to the council were introductions and descriptions of early operational issues; the transcript contains no record of formal council action on the matter.