At the end of March, the Fremart convenience store (located at 418 N 36th St) will be closing for good. This move has nothing to do with COVID-19. It was a decision made before the pandemic really began, when the building owners failed to renew the lease.
Fremart has been operated for the last five years by members of the Singh family, many members also operate the 7-Eleven one block west. The Singh family immigrated to the U.S.A. about 30 years ago, and have slowly become successful business owners and property owners in our neighborhood.
Two younger members of the family, Shawn Singh and Parm Singh, took over the location when the M & S Deli closed there after 36 years. They’ve been operating the store, and getting to know the community, while they learned about business ownership. They’ve successfully continued the tradition, set by M & S, of being a social center to its immediate neighbors, and a way-station for all those in immediate need for sustenance, or lotto scratchers.
The landlord did not renew the least for Fremart. It is unclear what their plan is for the site, or the building. The building is in need of some maintenance, including for the SRO apartments upstairs, and it is to be hoped that some of the work will be done before another tenant is moved in.
As for the two young Singhs, they are considering a return to school, while they can also work at 7-Eleven. They hope the customers of Fremart find their way down to the other store, and can fulfill their needs for convenient products at any hour there.