SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Representative Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) worked behind the counter at a Qik n EZ c-store in Springfield, Ill., from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. on April 25. He took part in the National Association of Convenience Stores' NACS In Store program.
"Today, I had the opportunity to throw on a Qik n EZ shirt and help a few customers from behind the counter," he said in a Facebook post. "Special thanks to [Qik n EZ CEO] Wendy Chronister for bringing me up to speed on fuel issues from the retailer’s perspective and payment/data security, which is an issue that the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology has been engaged in."
The program allows politicians to interact with members of the local community and talk to them about important issues.
“Convenience stores are vital small businesses that provide essential services to time-starved consumers with one-stop shopping, grab-and-go food service, a variety of merchandise and fast transactions,” LaHood said in a separate statement from NACS. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to participate in the NACS In Store program and witness firsthand the many benefits convenience stores offer to the residents of Springfield. Understanding how important protecting consumer payment information is and the threat of data breaches and payment card theft is to small businesses is crucial to my role as a member of the House Science, Space and Technology committee.”
“Convenience stores are the anchor of communities across the country, and they are also where community conversations take place,” said Henry Armour, NACS President and CEO. “The NACS In Store program gives elected officials a perfect opportunity to experience how these stores serve the public in their home districts.”
Members of Congress have participated in more than 30 NACS In Store events.
Even Republican presidential candidates Carly Fiorina and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) have participated recently in the NACS In Store program.
“We believe our elected officials will emerge with an even more intimate understanding not only of convenience stores’ challenges but also of their many contributions across the economic, social and cultural spectrum,” Armour said. “And over time, convenience store owners and the customers and communities they serve should benefit from policies that spur further growth, prosperity and innovation in the sector.”
Springfield-based Qik n EZ, with 12 convenience stores in Illinois, is the retail arm of Chronister Oil Co.
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