GUSTINE — Zachary Obeid and his family have been running Richard’s Market Gas and Liquor in Gustine since 2022, located on the corner of 427 6th Ave, bringing with them decades of experience in the Central Valley grocery business. Known for their commitment to community-focused service for well over 30-plus years, a team of six keeps the store in pristine running condition.
Obeid is now bracing for a potential setback as construction on a new roundabout is set to begin near their store. The Gustine City Council awarded a contract to Agee Construction Corporation out of Clovis to build the roundabout. Work is anticipated to start at the end of April and completion expected by the end of fall 2024. The project aims to improve traffic flow in the area but how the construction will impact his business during the process remains a concern for Obeid.
“It’s going to completely decrease my business 100%,” Obeid said. “The construction time is very long — seven months — and it’s going to hurt us significantly.”
Obeid noted that while the city has promised to accommodate entrances and allow vehicles access to the store during construction, he remains worried. The full impact won’t be known until construction is underway and adjustments can be made as necessary.
Despite these challenges, Obeid remains optimistic about the roundabout’s potential benefits once completed.
“I think the roundabout at the end, once the construction is done, will be nice and beautiful,” he said. “From a business perspective, the construction will hurt us very, very badly.”
Obeid’s family has a long history in the area, owning T&M Market Liquor in Patterson for more than 30 years and being well-known throughout the region. Since taking over Richard’s Market, Obeid introduced a taqueria inside the store and updated the gas pumps, investments that have been well-received by the community.
Obeid and his team aim to continue supporting the community through these challenges, providing exceptional service, and striving to bring new offerings to Gustine.
“We love the community,” Obeid said. “We’re always open to bringing new services and products to make the community happy.”