It is not often the Town of Vina adds a new business, so citizens are buzzing as Mountain Express Convenience Store and Gas Station is returning to Vina.

Mountain Express will be built near the previous location on Highway 19, which was destroyed in a fire in early 2019.

“It is something the people around here have really missed,” said Vina Mayor Michael Moomaw. “There’s some excitement in the air for the people of Vina.”

An official groundbreaking ceremony will herald the business Dec. 3 at 11 a.m. to begin the construction process. The store is anticipated to open in the early spring 2021.

Moomaw said the building will be 2,500 square feet with an old country exterior. Like a traditional gas station, Mountain Express will have a convenience store but with a few additional features.

Moomaw said the plan is for the store to also have a mini bar and a small place for people to eat. Outside of the building will be a concrete slab with picnic tables and a canopy, where live music can be hosted.

“We are just looking forward to giving people a place in Vina where they can come to,” Moomaw said. “The store was such a big part of the town, so we are looking forward to having it back.”

Moomaw said Mountain Express has looked into rebuilding in Vina since the fire occurred, but it was not until six months ago the town received official word of plans to rebuild.

“You can just see the excitement on people’s faces when you tell them about it,” Moomaw said. “A lot of people have missed it here, so we are all very excited.”

Moomaw said it will be great for the people of Vina to have the convenience of filling up their gas in town, but it will also add an increase to the local economy through tax dollars.

“We want people to spend their tax dollars in Vina as much as we can, so getting this will be huge for us.”