Gas station to reopen at Kellogg and West, but the original occupants won’t be there
UPDATED — The gas station at Kellogg and West Street that has been closed since an April 2023 fire finally is reopening this summer, but it’s not Kwik Shop returning there.
Wichita-based Jump Start is taking the spot.
“This will be our 31st location,” said director of marketing Kristin Ghere.
Phil and Cheryl Near opened their first Jump Start in 2011 and “really have gone into growth mode the last seven years,” said Ghere, who is a member of the family.
She said there’s been a lot of opportunity in the market.
“All of our locations are within an hour of Wichita.”
Though the company has been in the area for more than a decade, Wichitans particularly came to know the brand after it took over the former QuikTrip site at Broadway and Murdock in 2022.
Last month, the company opened stores in Augusta and at 127th and Central in Wichita.
Ghere said plans are for an August opening of the Kellogg and West store, which is at the northeast corner where Rowdy Beaver once was and Willie C’s before that.
Kwik Shop had been open only a few years before the fire.
Jump Start still is working on what restaurant might open in the store, which has a drive-through, where Taco John’s shared space with Kwik Shop.
Cinnabon also had been in the store.
Ghere said Jump Start is evaluating options to find the best fit for the space.
The property has eight dispensers, which means there are 16 fueling points.
Ghere said everything at the pumps is touchscreen technology.
“Gone are the days of the fuel button.”
The company has 350 employees in Kansas, and Ghere said there are great benefits and compensation, including a $15-an-hour starting salary, $4,800 in bonus opportunities and benefits such as health, dental, vision and a 401k plan.
Ghere said she can’t discuss any other company plans in the works, but she said, “We’re looking for growth opportunities . . . in and around Wichita, which we consider our home and our back yard.”
