Small market opens in Haymarket

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BY MATT OLBERDING / Lincoln Journal Star

Tissy McMahan had the perfect location in mind for a small market in the Haymarket.

In fact, McMahan decided to wait years for the space to become vacant rather than look elsewhere.

But now the wait is over.

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Tissy McMahan, co-owner of Rojo's Goods in the Haymarket. The store opened Monday. (Cody Duty)

Tissy McMahan, co-owner of Rojo's Goods in the Haymarket. The store opened Monday. (Cody Duty)

Rojo’s Goods opened Monday next door to Old Chicago in the space formerly occupied by Chocolate Expressions.

McMahan, who is a part owner of Jack’s Bar and Grill, also in the Haymarket, said the need for a downtown grocery store is a favorite topic of the bar’s customers.

“I’ve heard for so long this is what they wanted to see down here,” she said.

Downtown Lincoln Association President Terry Uland said a grocery store is one of the things most mentioned by downtown employees, residents and business owners as something the area needs.

Rojo’s Goods isn’t a true grocery store, but, Uland said,  “I think it’s a huge step in the right direction.”

McMahan is billing the store, which is co-owned by Mary Beth Kos, as a “bodega,” a Spanish word that means a small market or grocery store.

Bodegas are common on the East Coast, but Lincolnites don’t seem really familiar with the concept, McMahan said.

In fact, she’s even put a paper sign in the window giving the definition of the word Bodega.

Whatever you call it, the store has a small selection of groceries, including bread, milk, laundry detergent and even fresh fruit and produce. It also has a liquor license and sells off-sale alcohol.

Right now, the store’s shelves are thinly stocked, but McMahan said that’s by design.

“I didn’t want to buy a bunch of stuff that isn’t going to sell,” she said.

Instead, she is asking people who stop by the store to give her suggestions on what they would like to see.

She said so far she’s heard that people want more of the staples — bread, eggs, milk — as well as more fruits and vegetables.

McMahan said her first day in business was a “fairly good day” and said sales met her expectations.

“But I was even happier with the people who just came in to see it,” she said.

McMahan said she thinks the store will cater mostly to the Haymarket area, and she hopes to capture business not only from residents and employees in the area, but also from nearby hotels.

She said she expects brisk business from visitors to the Haymarket, during farmer’s markets, on football Saturdays and at night when people are in the area to eat and attend shows.

Uland said he thinks the store’s location will make it a success.

“I’d be happy to see it anyplace downtown,” he said, “but I think there may be enough synergies (in the Haymarket) to support that kind of enterprise.”

Reach Matt Olberding at 473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.