Norris Town Center, Archer’s getting upgrades
Charlie Murphy, general manager of Archer’s Food Center in Norris, stands in front of the Norris Town Center building that houes Archer’s, on Friday, April 28. The building’s rotting wooden shingle facade is being replaced. (photo:G Chambers Williams III )
Work began last week to remove the old cedar-shake shingles from the exterior of the building and replace them with wood paneling that is expected to last longer and require less maintenance, said Archer’s General Manager Charlie Murphy.
The entire complex, which includes the separate Norris Post Office building, was sold to a new owner in February.
It was purchased by by Starpoint Development, LLC.
That company is owned by lawyer Ameesh Kherani and his brother, Eddie.
Ameesh Kherani has a law office on Andersonville Highway in the same building as the Appalachia Family Dentistry practice of his wife, Dr. Sonia Kherani. He also has offices in Knoxville and Jacksboro.
Archer’s, which leases space in the complex, also changed hands recently. Hitesh “Harry” Patel bought the store in March from longtime owner Wayne Chaniott.
Patel told The Courier News earlier that he did not plan to make any changes in the operation of the longtime downtown market, but would make some upgrades to the building.
Murphy said the upgrades would include new floors and new cherry wood “bagging stands,” along with a new cash register that can scan drivers’ licenses to check automatically whether someone trying to buy alcoholic beverages is at least 21, he said.
Wayne Chaniott, who had owned the store for the past 40 years, decided to retire, said his sister, Pam Higdon, who had been helping him in the store as he continues fighting cancer, she told The Courier News.
Patel named Norris native Murphy to manage the store. Murphy said his work history includes stints as a store manager for Dollar General and Dollar Tree, and as a merchandising manager for Lowe’s Home Improvement.
“I’ve been involved with this family (the Chaniotts) my whole life,” he said.
While the Archer’s owner is paying for upgrades inside the store, the building’s owners are taking care of expenses for the exterior renovations, Murphy said.
Since taking over Archer’s, Murphy said he has begun buying produce and other fresh foods and meats from local farms and businesses, and the store has begun carrying prime beef and fresh seafood, as well.
“We’re buying produce from three local farms within six miles of us,” Murphy said.
The store has been a staple in Clinton for more than 40 years.