People living and traveling in western Muskogee have a larger place to get milk, ice cream and some groceries with the opening of Braum’s Fresh Market.

The new 5,756 square feet store opened Monday morning at 701 S. 32nd St., replacing the much smaller Ice Cream and Dairy Store at 301 N. 32nd St., which closed Sunday.

“It will be a handy place to pick up groceries,” said Angela Wilbourn, who was having breakfast with her grandmother, Minnie Merrill. “I like the open design, and it’s more modern.”

“It’s beautiful,” Merrill said.

The new store features a larger assortment of fruits, vegetables, frozen dinners and entrees, plus more than 150 fresh meats. The fresh market will have wider aisles, which can accommodate grocery carts, and two checkout counters.

The store also has a traditional fountain area for ice cream, hamburgers and beverages. It seats 86 people and has a drive-through.

Manager Damon Williams said the new store has 60 employees, more than twice as many as the old store.

“We worked so hard in the last three days to get this ready,” he said.

Ewal Thompson said he used to eat breakfast at the old Braum’s three or four times a week.

“I’m widowed, so I don’t like to cook by myself,” he said.

Lisa and Ronny McWethy stopped by the new store Monday morning and said they’ll come back often.

“It’s going to be real easy for me to pick up milk,” said Lisa McWethy, who works at the Department of Human Services office next door.

“If they just sold dog food, we’d buy all our stuff here,” Ronny McWethy said.

Reach Cathy Spaulding at 918-684-2928 or Click Here to Send Email