Krause and his father-in-law and business partner T.S. Gentle started their business in 1959 with the purchase of the Viking Oil Co. in Hampton, Iowa, which they renamed the Hampton Oil Co. The business sold gasoline and staples such as milk, bread and eggs to local residents. Krause and his silent partners purchased additional outlets, with the North Star [image-nocss] trademark created in 1961. It helped every dealer station within Hampton Oil present a consistent image, setting the direction for the future of branded gasoline.
Business grew and developed with the formation of new companies and new names. The widely recognized Kum & Go trademark was introduced in 1975.
Kum & Go, based in West Des Moines, Iowa, has grown to become the third-largest private owner-operator of convenience stores in the United States with more than 435 stores in 11 states.
CSP magazine named Krause the industry's Retail Leader of the Year in 2008.
Krause's business success has not been limited to convenience stores. His management helped make Liberty Bank the fastest-growing bank in Iowa. Today, Krause Holdings include Kum & Go, Liberty Bank, Solar Transport, Teamwork Acres, Dalla Terra Ranch, the Des Moines Menace, Amici Espresso, Kash Express and Liberty Motor Cars.
Separately, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.-based Stewart's Shops was recently presented with The Van Rensselaer Corporate Award at a ceremony hosted by the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce. The award was given to Stewart's Shops president Gary Dake in recognition of the company's longstanding role in supporting the region's quality of life, civic and community organizations.
"Stewart's Shops is honored to receive such a prestigious honor as the Van Rensselaer Award," said Dake. "Good corporate citizenship is a tradition at Stewart's, and it is assisted by the enthusiastic role of our employees and our customers. Together, we're doing our part in making a difference."
Stewart's Shops is an employee- and family-owned convenience store chain known for milk, ice cream, coffee, food to go, gasoline and more. Our There are 328 Stewart's Shops located in more than 30 counties across upstate New York and southern Vermont.
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