It’s called a market, its owner refers to it as a convenience store and it has the feel of a bodega.
Whatever the moniker, Marvell Fields is hoping his new store fills a niche downtown.
The 28-year-old Fields, an Omaha native, moved to Lincoln a couple of years ago. He said he decided to open the store after noticing on numerous trips downtown that there was nowhere to get a soda or cigarettes, especially at night.
Jeree’s Market, at 114 S. 14th St. next to Sandy’s bar, has both, as well as electronic cigarettes, hookah products, a coffee bar, food and personal care items.
Fields, who said his family owns a liquor store in Omaha, does not have any current plans to seek a liquor license, although he said he’s not ruling it out.
He said he’s kind of experimenting right now with product mix.
“I’m trying to cater to the needs of what people already want but also taking suggestions,” Fields said.
Catering to needs also means keeping hours that correspond with both those who live and work downtown and those who visit.
Fields plans to keep his store open until 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and until 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday to capture traffic from the bar crowds. It is closed Sundays.
His closest competitor, Walgreens at 13th and O streets, closes at 8 p.m. weekdays and 7 p.m. Saturdays.
Although he said he chose the location mainly because it was available, he likes that he’s close to one of downtown’s busiest intersections.
“Fourteenth and O is the most busy intersection during the day and on weekends,” Fields said.
Though close to 14th and O, Jeree’s Market is not in the most visible location, and traffic has been slow in the nearly two weeks the store’s been open, but “it’s getting better and better by the day,” he said.
“I just need to get people in the routine of coming in and realizing it’s down here.”
That includes people like Dean Settle, who both lives and works downtown.
Settle, who owns Metro Gallery a block away at 1316 N St., said he visited the store the first week it was open.
“I think there is a place for it downtown,” he said. “It’s just another convenient option.”
Settle pointed out that the location hasn’t exactly been a successful one, but he’s hoping Fields will make it work.
“Will they make it,” he asked, rhetorically. “I don’t have a crystal ball on that.”