The local RadioShack in downtown Poplarville has been serving the community for more than three decades, but with the recent news of the RadioShack Corporation seeking Chapter 11 protection, some have wondered what the future holds for the local store.

Poplarville RadioShack storeowner Mark Bridgers wants the community to know that his store isn’t going anywhere.

“We’ve served Poplarville for more than 35 years, and we have no intentions of discontinuing that service,” Bridgers said.

The bankruptcy filing by the RadioShack Corporation applies to corporate-owned stores in the United States, but as an independent franchise owner, Bridgers and his store remain unaffected.

Part of the stability comes from the fact that Bridgers has built his store on other products.

Bridgers said only 40 to 45 percent of his merchandise comes from RadioShack, and added that they will continue to provide goods for the foreseeable future.

“In the last year, we have built partnerships with a large office product supplier as well as a technology company,” said Bridgers, “We are able to supply large companies with ink and toner.”

While the corporate stores are closing down and cutting jobs, the RadioShack in Poplarville is still going strong, said Bridgers.

Bridgers said his employees are mostly college students, and they are not losing their jobs. Their employment makes it possible for them to go to school.

Bridgers has roots in his business and the community. As a high school student in 1977, Bridgers worked for RadioShack installing 8-tracks and Seabee radios into customer’s vehicles. In 1980, his family purchased the business and they have been serving the Poplarville area ever since.

RadioShack is located at 431 South Main Street in Poplarville. The store is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.