SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The newest in a string of Cody's Convenience Store opened in Springfield, Mo., last week. "We opened up at 5 a.m. and plan to be open from now on, 24/7," owner Curtis Jared of Jared Enterprises Inc. told The News-Leader. "The area definitely needed a convenience store, and this is our latest version. Everything, including the canopy, is state-of-the-art and our gas prices will continue stay competitive with everybody," he said.
He said the Springfield-based company plans to eventually have a Cody's in every town in southwest Missouri. [image-nocss] Several other stores are set to open soon.
In terms of operations, at least two of the 11 employed at the newest store will be working at any given time, for greater security, among other reasons, the report said. "You can put together a quality store; but no matter how expensive the store, if you don't have a crew to run it, you have nothing," Jared said.
Rob Brown of Ozark, manager of the new store, has seven years of experience in c-stores.
The store features an espresso bar. All foodincluding sandwicheswill be prepared in the store's kitchen at least twice a day. The breakfast menu includes Krispy Kreme donuts, bagels, cinnamon rolls, breakfast sandwiches and breakfast pizzas. During the day, a variety of hot dogs and bratwurst will be available, along with soups, personal pizzas, nachos, burritos, hamburgers, cheeseburgers and make-your-own tacos.
It also offers an automatic DVD-rental machine.
Jared, 28, the grandson of Consumers Markets founder Clarence Wheeler, lists eight stores in Springfield that are open, under construction or in the planning stages, according to the report. A day after the latest opening, the company announced more expansion with the change of Icenhower's market in Fair Grove into a Cody's. Plans there include building a new store in 2008.
The company's first travel center will open off of U.S. 65. In addition to a 10,000-sq.-ft. expanded service store, the store will have larger restrooms and a seating area, Internet access and other amenities for truckers, Jared said. Outside will be nine diesel bays in back for large vehicles, 16 regular filling positions, a car wash and dump stations for RVs and buses.
The first two Cody's opened by Jared's company, then called CRW Properties Inc., were the original Cody Junction store west of Rogersville and Hillbilly Bill's, said the report. Since 2004, the company has expanded to about 20 stores in several area towns. They include Bolivar, Fair Grove, Hollister, Joplin, Monett, Nixa, Rogersville, Springfield and Waynesville, Jared said.
"If we see where we can be successful compared to what's in an area and can offer superior customer service, we'll go," said Jared. "We have to look at all aspects of the economics of a location."
Separately, another, larger Midwestern chain has grown by one. Casey's General Stores Inc. has purchased Old Mill General Store, Elk Point, S.D. GW Equity, a Dallas-based firm specializing in middle-market mergers and acquisitions, advised Old Mill General Store on the sale. Ankeny, Iowa-based Casey's General Stores Inc., Ankeny, Iowa, owns and operates approximately 1,400 c-stores.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.