BALTIMORE, MD -- When Charles Jones, Dwight Rust and Stephen Ellison learned that their longtime employer, Lucky Convenience Markets Inc., had declared bankruptcy and abruptly closed its doors, they quickly set out to save the retail chain.

The three men decided to pool their resources and try to “preserve some of the convenience store chain that had become a mainstay in neighborhoods in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties,” writes the Baltimore Sun.

Their determination has paid off with the reopening of a former Lucky store under a new name, Luckies Stores Inc., which is the first of five stores the men are planning to reopen in the coming months.

Prior to its closing, Lucky's “quaint and quirky flavor” attracted loyal customers who enjoyed the low prices and convenience.

Meanwhile, “like much of the convenience store industry,” notes the newspaper, the retailer could not keep up increased competition from drugstore and grocery store chains.

Jones, who began working at Lucky's 21 years ago, told the newspaper he cried when he heard the store had closed up shop.

”I've always felt attached to it,” added Ellison. “It can be a real good business if it's run right.”

The new owners say they will operate the store much like it was run before, with the exception of changing the hours to 6:00 am to 10:30 pm.

“They're kind of famous for their deli meat, so we're going to keep that up,” said Rust. “That, and the good customer service.”

One customer told the newspaper he is “ecstatic” the stores are back in operation, noting, “I can’t wait for the others to open.”