JEANERETTE, La. (KLFY) — A beloved local grocery store is back open for business after surviving an attempted arson in the early morning hours.

Police say someone was seen spraying flammable liquid on AM Grocery, a family-run store that serves customers across Iberia Parish. Thanks to a quick response from the Jeanerette Police and Fire Departments, the store was saved before any serious damage could occur. 

“I tried to think, who could have done it?” said Nghia Nguyen, owner of AM Grocery. “Because we work here, and we serve the people around here. We’re friendly with everybody.”

Nguyen says community support poured in almost immediately after the incident.

“The next morning, I had customers calling to ask if everything was okay,” he said. “I was thankful for the fast acting of the firefighters and the police department. They came really quick.”

Customers say the store is a staple in Jeanerette and beyond.

“A lot of people support AM Grocery because it’s a staple,” said Trey Gibson, a longtime customer. “They come from Baldwin, Franklin all the way to New Iberia.”

Nguyen and his family plan to give back to the community that stood by them.

“If any event or activity needs our help, we can reach out or they can reach out to us,” Nguyen said. “We can give discounts, or hand out free water or food if we can.”

Nguyen also shared plans to expand the store and offer more food options in the future.

“I’m planning to make the store bigger and try our best to help out the community,” he said.

Gibson says the food alone keeps him coming back.

“I go maybe two or three times a week because they have great seafood; boiled crawfish, shrimp stuff like that.”

Next on the store’s agenda: handing out free water during an upcoming anti-violence walk in Iberia Parish, as part of its ongoing commitment to community support.

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