One of Cullman’s favorite stops for snacks and gas is reopening in its former location late next week.

Doug’s Corner Mart closed at 400 2nd Avenue Northeast in February for a venture into a location on Cherokee Avenue. But owner Doug Smith said eight months later he misses the regular customers he grown to know over nearly 13 years.

“We’re glad to be coming back,” Smith said. “The kids and their parents from school have always been a big part of our lives here, and the police officers and city workers. Just everybody in the neighborhood we’ve know for so long.”

The shelves are already filling up with customers’ favorite confections, from Moon Pies to a wide assortment of candy bars, crackers, colas and juices.

“We’re also bringing back the popcorn machine. We’ll have fresh popcorn every day as well as a really good selection of coffee,” Smith said.

Smith is a longtime figure into retail and gasoline sales in the area. He opened his first convenience store 30 years ago, and before that was known for running successful arcades. But the Corner Mart across Depot Park has been his favorite.

“We’ve seen a lot of kids grow up from elementary school to high school and adults, and they come back to visit,” Smith said. “There’s just something special about being apart of their lives and all the people who serve the city. Being near the police department is great. We have great police officers.”

While some of his longtime customers came to the Cherokee Avenue location, Smith said the frequency of those visits and the friendships were missed.

Smith’s wife, Felita, said she knows her husband will be happy back in the old location.

“Everything will be just like you remembered it,” she said. “I know he has missed being here and lot of people have missed Doug’s being in this location.”

Doug’s will continue to sell Texaco gasoline as well as the wide range of products inside the store.

The hours will be Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Smith said he anticipates opening Thursday or Friday.