GREENFIELD — Zain Naveed has a photograph of himself as a child, eating a popsicle in a toy Jeep outside his father’s bustling convenience store at 4 Mill St. in Greenfield.
Now, two decades later, Naveed is 23 and plans to bring back the success the store once had in its newest incarnation as Z’s Corner.
No stranger to the trade, Naveed’s family owns the New Inkwell News on Federal Street in Greenfield, where Naveed has worked and is well known by many of their customers. The family still owns the building at 4 Mill St. and ran a convenience store there from 1997 to 2004.
“I grew up here,” Naveed said, “and after high school I decided to follow my father’s profession and go into the family business.”
According to Naveed, the most recent tenants ran a store called Valley Mart, but had difficulties keeping the store properly stocked and finally left for financial reasons.
So Naveed has stepped in, spending the last three months renovating the property inside and out. The building’s siding was replaced and it is awaiting new signs. Inside are all new floors, walls, ceilings and lighting. Custom counters greet the customers and a new Green Mountain airpot coffee brewer is set up.
Naveed, who will work onsite at Z’s Corner along with one additional employee, said he hopes to bring back the regular customers and attract new ones.
“I want people to come in with the confidence they’ll get what they need,” Naveed said, gesturing to the fully stocked, orderly shelves.
Naveed plans to cater what he stocks to the needs of his clients. For now, some of the offerings are groceries, snacks, coffee, energy drinks and tobacco products. He also intends to offer lottery tickets soon.
“A little bit of everything, like a little bodega,” Naveed said to describe Z’s Corner.
A grand opening celebration is slated for all day on Monday, with raffles and prizes provided by Naveed and sponsors. A child-size basketball hoop, T-shirts and a case of Bang energy drinks are some of the prizes.
The store’s hours will be 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends.
Reach Paul Franz at 413-772-0261, ext. 266 or pfranz@recorder.com.
