MOUNT VERNON — Work is under way at Bullock’s Smoke Shop on Coshocton Avenue to make changes as the last step for Bullock’s to become a Kroger Fuel Center.

“We are just tying up some loose ends before we close on the sale,” said Linda Bullock who owns Bullocks with her husband, Jeff.

Bullock said they would be moving their store to 400 Vernonview Drive. This is the former location of Budget Rent A Car

“We won’t be selling gas there but we will still have a store; a tobacco store and a drive-thru,” she added. “We hope to have the new location open by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. It will take a little time to get the liquor permit transferred to the new location so we probably won’t be selling any beer for a few days. ... We wouldn’t be able to make this move if it wasn’t for the patronage of our customers. Knox County has been good to us and we are very thankful for that.”

Bullock said they hope to complete the deal with Kroger by the end of the year if not earlier.

“We should be closing with Kroger before the end of the year,” Bullock said. “I expect they will own the property within 30 days. That date hasn’t been set yet because we are still tying up some loose ends.”

Kroger Media Relations Manager Amy McCormick told the News there is no firm timeline at this point for closing on the sale of Bullocks.