Couple Providing Convenience to Rural Pennsylvania Town

RUFFSDALE, Pa. -- With a background in sales and a desire to run her own business, Kris Ranker and her fiance, Jim Tartal, purchased and reopened the former Schaeffer's Market here in January, just 13 months after it closed, The Daily Courier reported.

The store has had several owners during its 50-year existence. The couple closed on the property in October and have since been hard at work updating and renovating the existing structure, changing the entrance, opening up a garage and adding windows to let in the light.

Along with these changes, Ranker decided to modify the name. The store reopened as Schaeffer's Corner Market. Ranker said there are definitely advantages to keeping "Schaeffer" in the new business name. "You can't buy marketing like that," she said. "It has been here for so many years and it's been used as a directional thing for so long. People will say 'turn left at Schaeffer's.'"

Aside from the convenience store, neighbor Kathy Roberts said the closest place to get any kind of grocery or food items is in New Stanton or at big-box stores near Mt. Pleasant, Pa.

"It is so nice to be able to get a loaf of bread without having to drive so far," Roberts said, adding that the market is a major convenience to the area even if you just want a bottle of pop.

The store's hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Ranker said the store will offer the normal convenience store goods from bottled drinks and snacks, to lottery tickets and deli items.

"We sell deli meats, as well as already-made sandwiches and we offer soups, coffee, cappuccinos and tobacco products," she said. "I hope in about six months that we'll be able to offer hot foods and meals for families to take home for dinner."