Posted: 9/11/07
Brownsville Kwip Trip closed
Residents hope convenience store will re-open soon
By Charlie Warner
Argus Editor
"It seems like itís always been busy to me. Itís going to be an awful inconvenience for folks living around here. Itís been the only place to get gas, groceries. My folks stopped here every day to buy a newspaper and get a few groceries. Itís going to be tough on the town."
Thatís the way Roy Franzosi, of Brownsville Township responded Friday morning when asked about the closing of the Brownsville Kwik Trip. The convenience store on Highway 26 that served the community of 525 residents for more than two decades, closed its doors Sunday, Sept. 9. The Kwik Trip was the only place in Brownsville where residents could purchase gas, groceries, personal, health, and beauty items.
"Itís going to be very difficult for the elderly and those who have trouble getting around," said Wendy Noel. "People are gong to have to drive to Caledonia, Hokah, or La Crescent to purchase gas, groceries, or other items they need. This is bad for our community."
Noel said rumors of the storeís closure started circulating the weekend following the big flood. When Brownsville residents learned that it was more than a rumor, Noel and several other persons put a petition together. In less than two days they had over 600 names, urging Kwik Trip management to reconsider their decision. Noel brought the petition to Kwik Trip corporate headquarters in La Crosse on Tuesday, Sept. 4.
"I met with Steve Loehr (Kwik Trip vice president of support operations) and he told me it was a done deal. Nothing could be done or said to change it," Noel said. Noel did add Loehr told her the company would leave the two gas tanks and four pumps in place and attempt to sell the store "at a reasonable price" to any interested party.
To date, no one has stepped forward, but Noel said there was talk in town of starting a co-op. She also said she has heard of several individuals who might be interested in purchasing the property, but named no names.
"Itís not like this is a dying town," Noel added. "Weíve been growing each census and in the summer, with all the campers, this is a very busy community."
According to U.S. Census numbers, Brownsville has grown from 415 persons in 1990 to 525 in 2006. During the summer months the population increases by more than 50 percent, as campers and boaters enjoying the Mississippi River stay at Wildcat Campground and Lawrence Lake Marina.
Kwik Trip personnel from corporate headquarters were in the Brownsville store Friday morning taking inventory. When asked about the procedures involved in closing a store, they referred all questions to corporate officials. Attempts to contact Loehr Friday were not successful. According to published reports, the nine persons working at the Brownsville Kwik Trip will be reassigned, with no layoffs planned.
"Thereís a lot of people who drive through Brownsville every day," Franzosi added. "People from Iowa, going to La Crosse, all the people in the summer using the river. If this location didnít fit in with their scheme of things, I wish they would have looked at buying property and building a bigger store. I just hope someone decides that there is money to be made here and buys the store. Brownsville really needs a convenience store," he concluded.
Caledonia Argus
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Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com