Kwik Trip will rebuild one store, and possibly two, this summer to compete with larger, more modern area convenience stores.

Tuesday, June 26, 2001

Kwik Trip will rebuild one store, and possibly two, this summer to compete with larger, more modern area convenience stores.

The company has purchased land adjacent to its Front Street store, said Gary Gonczy, director of marketing and advertising for Kwik Trip. They will demolish the current building, a former C-Mart gas station and bait shop, and replace it with a larger, 44-by-84 foot structure once they get the go-ahead from the city.

&uot;It just needs to be rebuilt,&uot; Gonczy said. &uot;It’s not large enough.&uot;

The new building will be a prototype for new Kwik Trip stores, featuring an expanded coffee bar, fountain wall and grill area, Gonczy said. Owners hope the move will expand their customer base as well as better serve current clientele, he said.

Kwik Trip has requested a conditional-use permit from the City of Albert Lea to add several more gasoline pumps to the station. They are awaiting the council’s determination before they finalize building plans and begin construction, Gonczy said.

Officials hope to begin construction this summer, he said.

Kwik Trip is also negotiating the purchase of Donut Hut and Eastside Liquor on East Main Street near its Garfield Avenue location. Gonczy would not comment on the pending sale.