|
Biz Buzz: SA going downtown
Senior Reporter Motorists will be able to stop for gas and goodies once again as the corner gas station and convenience store on the edge of downtown Brainerd reopens this fall as a SuperAmerica.
Maggie's gas station and convenience store on the corner of Washington and North Fourth streets closed abruptly on Aug. 3. Property owner Kelly Bevans, who owns an automotive service business on the site, formed a new lease agreement with Baxter-based Triangle Oil owners.
The family owned Triangle Oil traces its roots back to Brainerd in the 1940s when three men - thus the name Triangle - started the business. Derrill Holland was a marketing representative for Phillips Petroleum Co. for about 10 years when he was looking for a change and a business of his own. The original Triangle Oil group was ready to retire. That was 1967. Triangle Oil largely served residential fuel oil needs and sold gasoline to a few small two-bay garage gas stations when Holland bought the company.
Now Holland's three sons - Craig, Brad and Todd - own and operate Triangle Oil.
Bevans talked to the Hollands a couple of years ago about the then Mobil station that later became Maggie's. Bevans said the timing wasn't right. This time it was different.
Bevans thinks an indication of better economic times is there in the interest the gas station/convenience store received in the last 30 days. In the eight months before the Maggie's ownership leased the space in the early summer of 2008, Bevans struggled to find a tenant for the space.
"I think that's a really good sign for the area," Bevans said. "We're really excited to have people with such a strong presence in the area. I really think this area can support this business and certainly they will do a super job."
The Hollands have a two-year lease for the gas pumps and convenience store with an option to buy. Bevans retains his service business on site. He's had the business there since the fall of 1989. The station itself has been on the corner since about 1936. Retail continues to be a tough business and fortunes have changed for gas stations, which once dotted nearly every corner. In 1969, Bevans said there were about 52 gas stations in Brainerd.
Bevans said the recession has people spending money to fix up older cars so his service business has grown. And Bevans said he believes the SA and the Hollands will be a good fit.
Brad Holland said they hope to have the newest SA open by Nov. 1. In the meantime, the store will be rebranded with the new name and colors of SuperAmerica and be updated inside.
Holland said the timing worked now as they thought the location would fit will into the company's market with its proximity to governmental offices, northside residences and St. Joseph's Medical Center.
"We think it has potential," Holland said.
They expect to hire about 12 to 15 part-time and full-time workers and be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. This will be the company's 11th location and its ninth SA franchise. The other two are Triangle stations.
Holland said he believes the station will be successful and draw from their industry experience and work with customers who are familiar with what SA stores have to offer. While the retail business has been tough in the recession, Holland said they are hopeful for better times ahead.
Jimmy John's restaurant is now open on Washington Street in Brainerd.
Madden's on Gull Lake reported it was chosen by the readers of Meetings MidAmerica Magazine as a "Best of MidAmerica" Property. Key factors in determining the award were quality of meeting space, guest rooms, staff, service, food and beverage, amenities, activities and value, Madden's reported. Madden's reported it was chosen by top national meeting planners as an "outstanding meeting facility."
Business Network International reported it started its newest Brainerd lakes area chapter named the Trailside Networkers Chapter, which is based in Nisswa and meets Wednesday mornings at 7 a.m. at the Nisswa Community Center. For more information go to the Web site at www.bni-mn.com, or call the local Area Director Kari Barnes at 851-1401.
Cans R Us Inc., Little Falls, has new owners with Jeff and Vicky Barber. The nine-year-old business rents portable toilets and handwashing stations and offers on-site recreational vehicle pumping and serves Morrison, Todd, Crow Wing, Benton and Stearns counties.
RENEE RICHARDSON, senior reporter, may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.
To Subscribe to the Brainerd Dispatch, Click Here.
Note: Comments are not edited and don't represent the views of The Brainerd Dispatch. Please read our posting rules in the terms of service policy. To report a post that may be inappropriate, click the triangle alert icon.
|
|
Top Commented Articles
