McKern Family Continues Country Store Landmark!

The Country Store in Carson has officially changed hands to those of the Robert McKern family.  Bob grew up near Westfair, went to Underwood High, and purchased the McMartin place near Carson in 1997, the year he got married to Sheila.  After 23 years of traveling in the heating and cooling business, Bob switched over to managing a feedlot, then worked as a hired hand, and recently was talking to Norma Buckingham, the owner of The Country Store and realized that was his next venture.  One he plans to share with his whole family, but especially his daughter, Amanda who is 19 and ready to  manage the store. He said he knew someone local needed to carry on the tradition of the Country Store and it would be a perfect project for his daughter and him to take on together.

How can you not love a guy who says that?

Of course, he’ll tell you that his wife is the one to love.  He came home with the wild idea of buying the Carson landmark and Sheila gave him the green light saying his plans always seem to work out.  Mr. McKern has considered farming multiple times but doesn’t own ground beyond his home place and so this opportunity just seemed like one he couldn’t let pass by.  Norma was thrilled to be selling to someone locally and the McKerns are excited to make sure the citizens of Carson and surrounding areas have their needs met.

In fact, Bob mentioned that the Carson Country Store will most definitely stay the Country Store.  What is changing?  Well, the movie rentals are already out and the family has been surveying customers about what they’d like to see.  They’ve also got some consultants coming in to make suggestions on resetting the shelving and so forth.  The big long-term goals include opening it up more so it’s bigger, upgrading gas pumps with card readers, and a bigger parking lot, but none of that will happen tomorrow!  For now, the McKerns just hope to keep it running smoothly!  Bob intends on passing it down to his kids (Amanda and Grady).

Well, McKern Family, we are happy to see one of our favorite Carson staples alive and well!  Thanks for being the next family of Country Store owners!