Kinlaw’s Supermarket to Rebuild After Devastating Fire, Reopening Set for August 2025

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Kinlaw’s Supermarket, a beloved community grocery store that’s stood for 45 years, was destroyed by a fire late Saturday night, October 19th.

The fire, which began around 10 p.m. due to an electrical short, quickly engulfed the building, leaving behind significant damage.

Tommy Kinlaw, who founded the store with his brother in 1979, expressed his heartache over the loss. “I’ve seen the hard times and I’ve seen the good times, but this is a hard time,” he remarked.

Despite the devastation, Kinlaw shared some relief knowing the store’s insurance will cover the cost of rebuilding. He hopes to reopen by August 2025 and assured that employees will continue to receive full pay during the closure.

“If I live until then I’ll be 79. I hope that will be my birthday present,” Kinlaw said with a smile.

The fire’s aftermath has drawn support from the community, which considers Kinlaw’s more than just a store. “It’s affordable, and you see a lot of camaraderie with the employees,” said local resident Charles Testerman.

Employees and community leaders echoed this sentiment. “It’s nice to know we’re truly part of the community,” said employee Jack Muzquiz. Pastor Reginald A. Wells added, “They have not just been in the community, but they were a part of the community.”

Though the closure is expected to result in a loss of about $20 million in business, Kinlaw remains optimistic about the future, knowing the community is behind him.

For more stories on resilience and recovery in the meat industry, visit our homepage.