RAPID RIVER, Mich. (WZMQ) – After 32 years, the owners of a Delta County business are passing the baton.
For Kelly Dittrich and Shannan Edwardsen, November 1 was their last day as owners of the Rapid River Mini Mart. They have a long history with the business.
“Our parents bought this place back in 1991, and we both worked here,” Dittrich said. “They sold it to U.S. Oil for a little bit, and U.S. Oil sold it to another couple, and we continued through and worked for them as well.”
“Dad started with a two-pump gas station,” recalled Edwardsen. “We give most of the credit to my folks because Dad built it up and did all the changes outside, the changes inside, and we just took over and ran it since then.”
In that time, Dittrich and Edwardsen say they have built a strong community.
“We’ve been blessed beyond belief with this location,” said Dittrich. “We’ve been here a long time and formed a lot of relationships with employees and customers.”
“We’ve watched kids grow up here,” Edwardsen added. “We’ve lost people. It’s tough.”
After 32 years, the pair have made the difficult decision to sell the Rapid River Mini Mart to Circle K.
“With all the new gas stations popping up everywhere, we felt like for our own financial security—and our family’s—that this is something we probably should do to secure that,” said Edwardsen.
They say while they are sad to leave the business, they believe their family of employees will be in good hands.
“Circle K is going to do some wonderful things as far as our employees go,” Dittrich said. “We’ve got one employee that’s been here for 27 years, and all of our employees will start with them with the number of years they’ve been with us. In working this, that was a big deal to us.”
“They’re able to offer them benefits and things that we couldn’t,” said Edwardsen. “I think they’re going to take good care of them. We’ve met with a lot of Circle K’s managers and they all seem great to work for, so we’re ecstatic about that.”
As for what customers can expect, there will be a few changes to what the Mini Mart offers.
“Obviously, we’re not going to have our chicken and homemade cookies and potatoes and stuff, but they are putting in a Godfather’s pizza,” said Dittrich. “They’ll have subs and burritos and breakfast. From what I understand, they’re going to expand and put in a beer cave and do a remodel. Beyond that, I’m not sure, but they have big plans.”
Despite all the tears surrounding their departure from the Mini Mart, Edwardsen and Dittrich are looking forward to the future.
“Right now, we’re just going to take a breath and do some things we need to do in our personal lives,” said Edwardsen. “We’re talking about doing something, just her and I, as far as a business type of venture.”
Dittrich laughed, “I don’t think they’ve seen the last of us!”
Dittrich and Edwardsen are grateful to the community for more than three decades of support at the Rapid River Mini Mart.
“Rapid River is a great, great community,” said Edwardsen.
“We want to thank all the people even from out of town that we see every year, all of our customers, employees,” Dittrich said tearfully. “Thank you. We appreciate it. We couldn’t have done it without that and we’re going to miss them. Thank you.”
The Rapid River Mini Mart will be closed on Thursday, November 2. It will reopen on Friday, November 3, under the ownership of Circle K.
