It’s a cool Sunday afternoon in February at the Lucas Food and Bait Shop.  There is a steady flow of loyal customers coming in and out of the worn out doors.

Cars patiently wait their turn at the four small gas pumps; it’s an average day on the quiet Lucas corner.

However, just 2.3 miles down the road another Walmart Supercenter is being constructed and is expected to open Wednesday.

“I’m excited about the new Walmart,” junior Sky Chambers said.  “It will be nice to have one close to home.”

The doors of Lucas Food and Bait Shop have opened to every walk of life for 22 years; from the avid fisherman who spends his days on the banks of quiet Lake Lavon, to the businesswoman who needs her morning coffee on the way to work.

“I always go to the Lucas Bait Shop for my bait” senior Logan Michaels said. “I have a pond on my property so it’s super convenient to just go right down the road. Plus they are very friendly and welcoming.”

Walmart is known for its extremely competitive prices and having almost everything a customer could need. That is leading to some concerns for area residents as they fear another locally owned business disappearing.

However Bait Shop owners and brothers, Abraham and Mo Esfandiari, are not as worried as one would expect.

“Walmart is a different store than ours; we are a convenient store and Walmart is a big grocery store,” Abraham said.  “It is not a competition and I don’t believe that it will affect me. You see there is a Walmart and there is a convenient store by Walmart; it’s right across the street, but every business is different so the small store still succeeds.”

Working on improvements to the store since last year,  the Esfandiari brothers will continue with renovations regardless of the new competitor.  The most recent upgrades include a new red awning featuring white letters that spell out “Lucas Food Store.”

Regardless of whether or not the renovations impress their customers, the brothers are confident they have a loyal base of customers that will continue to provide the business they need.

“I believe the customer is doing a favor to me, I’m not doing a favor to them” Abraham said.  “They have a choice to go to any other store, but I have to give them a reason to choose my store. I try to treat them like I treat my own family; I’m very friendly with them and help them out if they need help.”