A Mid-Missouri institution is on the verge of re-opening. Snoddy’s Store in Old Franklin is under new ownership. Sylvia and Richard Durbin, of New Franklin, hope to open the store in a matter of weeks.

The beloved business was forced to close in early June of last year when historic flooding covered the bottomland in Old Franklin under several feet of water. The owners later opted not to reopen. But 13 months after the floodwaters have receded, the storied grocery and hardware store is weeks away from welcoming back customers.

“I was disappointed that it wasn’t going to reopen,” Mrs. Durbin said. “It’s just been part of the community for so long, I just hated to see it go.”

Mrs. Durbin said she approached the Snoddy family about purchasing the business. Once they agreed it was a matter of securing the necessary financing for the business venture. “I went through about 15 different banks before I got a ‘yes’,” she said. But that persistence can now be measured tangibly as the Snoddy’s is well on its way to re-opening to generations of avid customers. And those longtime patrons are going to like what they see. The store has been completely cleaned and sheetrocked, complete with new wiring and plumbing—it doesn’t hurt that Mr. Durbin is an experienced union plumber—and most coolers have been replaced.

“I don’t want to change too much of what everybody’s used to,” she said.

The flood of 2019 is not the first time Snoddy’s has found itself literally under water. The family-owned business has been situated along the northern bank of the Missouri River in Howard County since it opened in 1924. It moved once sometime in the 1930s, and again to its current and largest location following the historic Flood of 1993. When this location was built, it was designed to withstand such flooding. But, as Mrs. Durbin explained, a valve on the building’s septic system has been covered while undergoing maintenance at one time, was not located, and therefore was not closed when the latest round of flooding came about. That allowed about two feet of water to enter the store.

Mrs. Durbin said that new valves have been installed that will not allow a backflow of water in the event of future flooding. And the business has prepared in other ways as well, with outlets wired several feet off the ground, and fixtures equipped with wheels so that stock can be quickly removed. “We’re all from Howard County, and we know it floods around here.”

Other than new ownership, faithful customers should expect the new Snoddy’s to resemble the old store in nearly every way. Not only will the name remain unchanged, but the deli will also feature the same meats from the same vendor. The same hardware and grocery staples that have made Snoddy’s a go-to for area residents for nearly a century will be on the shelves when the doors reopen.

Mrs. Durbin said she has fielded more than a few questions about the deli. “It is the same meat provider. It’s the same brands,” she assures. “We want to do the best we can to make the family proud.”

The store will also add a coffee bar and soda fountain. The Durbins are planning to add a flat-top grill and fryer to sell some basic breakfast and lunch items. And soft-serve ice cream could be a future offering. “The kids think (ice cream) is something we need to put in here,” she said.

Snoddy’s will also begin offering locally-sourced beef from Triple L Meats out of Bunceton. Customers will place orders which can be picked up at Snoddy’s a few days later.

Locally-sourced foods are important to Mrs. Durbin. The store will even begin grinding its own hamburger to sell soon. “We’re trying to use as many local vendors as we can.” She is on the lookout for local produce, pork, and poultry suppliers as well. “We want to keep business as close to us as we possibly can. And as a business, we really want the farmers to bring their stuff in, and let us buy from them and sell it. Farm to table is amazing.”

The Durbins have received help and guidance from former owner Chris Snoddy, whom Mrs. Durbin called a “huge asset.” He has helped facilitate connections with vendors and provided advice on items to stock.

“He’s been amazing,” said Mrs. Durbin.

The Durbins face not just the challenge of reopening a roughly 10,000-square foot store, but doing so during a global pandemic. “We’ve had some serious conversations about it,” said Mrs. Durbin. She said they are developing a plan to limit the number of people in the store, require masks, and provide curbside pickup should another state-mandated lockdown occur.

In the meantime, the store is taking shape and the Durbins are hoping to open around the third Saturday of the month, although that date is not set in stone. A grand opening will take place in the weeks to follow.