Convenience store set to be razed, new one to rise

For more than 70 years, Cody's, a mom-and-pop grocery store has sat at the northeast corner of highways 125 and 60 near Rogersville. But not for much longer.

CRW Properties Inc. purchased the nine-acre unincorporated property, which includes the existing store and a farm house, from the estate of Mildred Haskins in June 2002, said Venton Haskins, her nephew. Construction on a 3,800-square-foot, 24-hour convenience store is scheduled for completion by the end of January, according to Curtis Jared, vice president for CRW. He would not disclose the purchase price.

A.P. and Eva Martin purchased the business from the original builder of the store in the late 1920s and operated it until the late 1960s, Haskins said. At that time, Mildred Haskins took over ownership and operation until the mid-1980s, when she began leasing the store to a succession of leaseholders.

Strategic shift

The acquisition and overhaul of this site and nearby Hillbilly Bills, four miles to the north on Highway 125, marks a new direction for CRW. "We're fairly new to the convenience store business," Jared said.

CRW is considering Conoco as its fuel provider, and the new store will increase the number of gas pumps from two to six and add another diesel pump, Jared said. Beyond the store's product inventory, there will be hot and cold deli items, he added. A new access drive into the site, 150 feet back from the intersection, will reduce traffic congestion at the corner.

Rationale

Jared said upgrading Cody's is to accommodate the significant traffic flow in the immediate area. He noted that the highway 125 and 60 intersection has the only stoplight between Rogersville and Springfield and is close to the $14.9 million Logan-Rogersville High School under construction.

According to Missouri Department of Transportation traffic statistics, the intersection at highways 125 and 60 averages 11,355 cars a day, said Terry Hunzicker, customer service representative.

Developing in an unincorporated area has its advantages, according to Frank Schoneboom, city administrator for Rogersville. "In some places you have general free reign. That would be an advantage, I would think, because that can drive your costs down." Reduced administrative expenses, permit charges, related fees and taxes, combined with less regulation and oversight, can work to a developer's advantage, he added.

The architect and general contractor for the project are the same ones employed by CRW for its extensive overhaul of Hillbilly Bills: Bates & Associates Inc. and Missouri Supermarket Builders. The engineer is Palmerton & Parrish Inc.