By Michael Bushnell
Northeast News
May 4, 2016

Trying to catch local business owner Eddie Musallet in one place for very long is, to coin a phrase, like trying to herd cats. It’s very difficult to do and when you do have them corralled, it’s never for very long. Such is the case with Musallet, who is a principal in three area convenience store-gas station businesses and a Cricket Wireless franchise, as well as a partner in at least two more area grocery operations.

Musallet grew up in Independence but always had friends that he visited in Kansas City’s Historic Northeast neighborhood. In 2006 he was working at the Phillips 66 station at Independence and Topping. When the station came up for sale in 2007, hepurchased the business and began offering expanded services and merchandise. Later that year, QuikTripannounced plans to close its St. John and Belmont store. Musallet quickly purchased the operation and started offering freshly cooked foods such as burgers, pizza, tacos and burritos. Within a year, he opened the Cricket Wireless franchise in the Wilson Road shopping center.

In 2012 Eddie purchased the BP station at Independence and Van Brunt that is currently undergoing a major facelift. He also opened a Save-A-Lot grocery store in the Grandview area, where the former Northeast Food Mart had moved to in the early 2000s.

Musallet has most recently added to the Northeast business landscape with the opening of Mercado Fresco in the former NAPA auto parts store at Independence and Denver. The Latino-centered grocery store offers a wide selection of fresh meats, produce and baked goods. Ironically, the space has returned to its original use as it was opened in the 1960s as one of two A&P grocery stores on Independence Avenue.

Bobbi Baker-Hughes, President of the Northeast Chamber and the Independence Avenue CID, couldn’t be happier about the local business expansion. “We’re extremely excited to be able to work with Eddie and his businesses along the Independence Avenue corridor,” she said. “He’s made a drastic improvement in a number of business facades along the Avenue and continues to be a real player in the Northeast market.”

What’s on the horizon for Musallet in Historic Northeast?

“We don’t really know what the future holds,” said Musallet. “If another opportunity presents itself, we’ll see if it’s a good fit and go from there.”

Opportunity did not wait long, as Musallet and a business partner have recently completed the purchase of the former Parade Park Sundries at Truman Road and Brooklyn. Like we said, just like herding cats.