MOLINE -- A new convenience store has opened on the ground floor of the Enterprise Lofts at 1891 River Drive.

Sanjeev Palopened Moline Pantry last week on the first floor of the 69-unit apartment complex that opened last year. The store offers soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, candy, snacks, coffee and an array of grocery items, from cereal and milk to ice and eggs.

Mr. Pal said the store soon will be fully stocked, and he is planning to offer additional items, such as frozen dinners and frozen pizza.

He said he wants to offer an array of everyday items, so people who run out of something have a convenient place to stop.

Mr. Pal also owns Gasland at 1305 15th St. and 4100 Avenue of the Cities, both in Moline.

"I was interested in opening another store," he said, adding that he was driving by one day and saw a sign indicating the space was available for lease.

"I thought I would give it a shot," he said, adding that he was encouraged by others to do so. Gasland customers told him the River Drive location was nice and another said the downtown needed a convenience store.

The space was just an empty shell with concrete floors, so Mr. Pal designed the store from scratch.

Once fully stocked, Moline Pantry will be open 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday. Right now, the store is closing early.