Malden Mini-Mart Re-Opens with New Security

A Malden convenience store owner who said he'd close his store after this month said he felt safer following his “grand re-opening” this week, which saw a number of improvements to the store's security measures.

Mayor Gary Christenson's office coordinated local businesses, who helped owner Dharam Jain improve store security, including , installing a new security camera monitor, providing a new drop safe for mid-shift deposits and more.

A number of local businesses donated their services for free or at-cost, city Business Development Officer Kevin Duffy said. Representatives from Verizon and the commonwealth's Lottery Commission expedited the relocation of the store's lottery machine, a closely-regulated and often much lengthier process.

The store was also given a free membership to the city's Chamber of Commerce.

“Thanks to (Duffy) and a bunch of others, we were able to make these changes, which will hopefully give the store some peace,” Mayor Gary Christenson said, with Jain at his side.

Christenson said officials from his office would hold a meeting with other area store owners – about 50 – to help others improve safety and deter crime in the city.

“We want to thank Mr. Jain and his staff for giving us a chance to ...show that we mean business when it comes to crime,” Christenson told reporters.

Jain, who estimates he is robbed an average of four times a year, credited both the media attention and the city's proactive response for reversing his earlier decision to close the store.

Previously, the Saugus-based retiree said, such crimes would've gone unnoticed. 

Police have in relation to the robberies, though two remain at large.