Jenny Love Meyer, CFO and executive culture officer for Love’s, made a surprise appearance August 28 at Love’s store No. 1. She came armed with a broad smile and a pocketful of gift cards for customers.
She said it was a trip to reward the loyal customers for 60 years of support to the store, aiming to ‘surprise and delight’ the regulars.
While there, Love Meyer also talked about taking the chain into a future where competition is ever-increasing.
There are now 648 Love’s in 42 states.
What does the future hold for those stores and how does the chain hold on to its market share when challenged by other models like Bucee’s?
“We are looking at expansions of our existing stores,” she said. “We are seeking ways to continue to serve the public. That includes some remodels and some new stores.”
And although Watonga has a new store, opened three years ago, No.1 isn’t going anywhere.
Love Meyer said the company is in the ‘very preliminary’ stages of changes at the little store that started it all, a way to commemorate the beginnings of the chain, and in some ways, the industry. Before Tom Love came up with the model for the ‘country store’ in a gas station, fuel stops were just, well, gas stations.
Now, customers can expect a product mix from fast food to healthier options like a Subway sandwich shop and fresh fruit in to-go packaging.
The chain is also adding charging stations for electric vehicles as those modes of transport become more prevalent and popular.
“EV charging is part of an alternative energy strategy,” Love Meyer said. “We are utilizing a grant process that allows us to more rapidly allows us to install EV charging at more facilities.”
But it is the customers and employees who remain at the heart of the business. Love Meyer shared multiple pet anecdotes with the employees while regulars shuffled in and out.
One of those customers was Ryan Compton, who was surprised with a $60 gift card to mark the 60th anniversary of the store.
Compton said he had been patronizing store No. 1 as long as he could remember.
“I’ve been coming here my whole life,” he quipped. “As soon as I could walk, I’ve been coming in that door.”