The checkout lines were buzzing with activity at Ramey’s on Friday morning, as the store celebrated its grand opening.

The Mississippi grocer purchased the former Belle Foods store on Lindberg Avenue on Oct. 13, said store manager Alvin Brown. The store stayed open throughout the transition.

“Sales have been really good,” he said.

Brown said this week was the first week the store has been fully stocked since the changeover.

To celebrate the grand opening, Ramey’s is will draw customer names for prizes once a week for the next four weeks, Brown said. The prizes include chairs, coolers and other goodies, which will be drawn for each Friday. There will be a drawing for a special iPad Air on Thursday, Dec. 12, Brown said.

Shoppers interested in the drawing can put their names and phone numbers on the back of store receipts to enter.

Ramey’s is kicking off the grand opening with special deals inside the store and will continue with a one-day sale each Friday, Brown said.

Ramey’s general manager Gary Law said the grocer decided to buy the store based on similar success of stores in cities similar in size to Atmore.

“The size of the store was really appealing to us,” he said. “This is the perfect size for us. We feel we can serve our customers well in this location.”

Law said the store’s management team wasn’t changed, and few employees were let go.

“Pretty much everyone one Alvin felt good about we kept,” Law said. “These people have done a remarkable job. Hat’s off to them for the job they’ve done.”