BO LYNN’S RE-OPENS

New owner Rani Richardson recently re-opened Bo Lynn’s in St. Marks. The iconic grocery store, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, closed in 2021 after the death of Miss Joy Brown, who bought it from founder J.T. ‘Bo’ Lynn.


Bicyclists Cassie McGlynn, Scot Benton, and Lee Berger at Bo Lynn’s. ‘The store is back to life,’ McGlynn says.

Story & Photos By LINDA ANN McDONALD Correspondent

Bo Lynn’s Grocery Store in St. Marks has officially re-opened.
Once a nurse working in Orlando, new owner Rani Richardson decided to embark on a new life journey and come to Wakulla County. Although Richardson grew up in Alabama, she feels the appeal of the City of St. Marks: her mother was former principal of COAST Charter School in St. Marks and knows the love a small community has to offer.
Richardson bought the store from Miss Joy Brown’s son Jeff Brown and granddaughter Bettina Brown in September 2022 to take on the historical building she felt “was sacred and worth saving.”
Bo Lynn’s Grocery Store was opened in 1936 by J.T. “Bo” Lynn and was later sold to Miss Joy in 1965 and was open until her death in 2021. The store was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.
“It has always been a meeting place, community hub, groceries, hot food options, visiting options, and of course, lotto,” Richardson says.
“The store is more open in area and a new fresh feel to the original counter, it was painted white with a new black countertop.”
Richardson was adamant that “This will definitely stay” when asked about the future of the nostalgic front check-out counter.
“The store is a fun place to come through for happy hour or an impromptu gathering. If a golf cart stops, it is funny how they start accumulating. We know each other on a first name basis here,” Richardson says.
“I am committed to not changing it much and I made sure I held on to the heart and soul of what it has always been. Although the store is gently updated and caringly modernized, I didn’t want to lose the old charm and I am careful to preserve the feel of it,” Richardson says.
“Miss Joy is hopefully happy to see it come back to life, to see the community hub, and see the people she loved still frequenting and enjoying the store.”
“It is such a special place and I promise to take care of it. I figured if Joy could do it by herself, I will try it too; the store has only been open for 6 weeks and the community is slowly recognizing it is still the same special store it always has been,” Richardson says.
“It is important to be consistent for the people who need food, coffee, groceries and a chair to feel welcome. There is always food and conversation going, who knows where this is going to.
“It’s always nice to know what to expect, good coffee, good service and great people. We offer breakfast Thursday through Sunday and new to the store is a single beer or wine by the glass and there is indoor and outdoor seating to enjoy.”
Next to the store is Richardson’s brother Ryan’s food truck Ry Ry’s Kitchen which offers barbecue Thursday through Sunday.
“Erin Farmer is a friend who helps me run the store. You can find me or Erin here every day, we are open 7 days a week,” Richardson stated.
Bicyclist Scot Benton, partner Cassie McGlynn and friend Lee Berger visited the store often before the new ownership.
“We used to come here a lot and when Miss Joy passed away, we would come down this road and see no action,” says McGlynn. “We saw the remodeling of the store, gas tanks taken away... It took some time, but the store is back to life.”
“The favorite thing of my new journey owning the store is the history that has been here – as long as it has – and it has always thrived. The second favorite thing is the community’s response has been great, they are accepting and embracing us,” Richardson says with a smile.