FRANKLIN—With menu items like the sleazy cheesy and oink, two friends are attempting to bring new life to a community landmark.

Ray Phifer and Sean Brinkley turned a 50-year-old building at 28176 Delaware Road into the Checkerboard Corner Store, which opened Dec. 1.

“It has a long history of being here,” Phifer said. “It’s a staple of the community and we wanted to open it and give it life.”

The convenience store also serves homemade breakfasts, lunches and dinners made by Brinkley. The menu includes hamburgers, barbecue, hot dogs, chicken salad, fried catfish and herring.

Also offered is handmade sports memorabilia, like throw pillows, plates and lamps. Food items, including a cake made with lemon-lime soda, and locally-grown produce will be featured.

“We sell everything but gas,” Brinkley said. “We’re trying to get input from the community on what we should carry.”

The store was closed for two years and business has been great so far, Phifer said, especially with hunters.

“We serve a lot of hunters on weekends,” Phifer said. “All you see is orange hats.”

The store is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.