MOUNT VERNON — Time is essential in our modern-day society, and faster service means more time for other things. Drive-thru convenience stores have been thriving in Knox County. The simplicity of having what one needs without leaving the comfort of the vehicle has made the business flourish. But what makes these stores so unique is the fast, convenient service they offer to each customer. With six centrally located in Mount Vernon, and several others throughout the county, these stores are becoming a significant part of the community.
It is the convenience of the drive-thrus that make them popular, explained Lynn Lyons, owner of Horseshoe Drive-thru in Danville.
Many small businesses have suffered for the unstable economy, but convenient stores continue to maintain a strong root in the community.
“The economy is bad right now, we hear all the stories and people are more careful about what they spend, but it is the convenience,” said Becky Thompson, co-owner of Beck’s Tack & Supply.
Beck’s Tack is located near Ohio 3 which gives a steady stream of travelers coming to and from work in Columbus.
“We have a steady [stream of customers], but having the highway so close is a plus for us,” said Thompson. “We have been tremendously blessed.”
“People don’t have the extra money to leave away from home so much, so they stay closer to home so that has helped business,” said Ron Hamilton, owner of RJ’s Drive-thru and Carryout. When he first bought the place nine years ago, the ideal of a drive-thru was always his goal.
Customers utilize the drive-thru to get groceries, snacks and other necessities.
“Beer, cigarettes and pop [sales the most with the drive-thru],” said Hamilton.
“We carry a little bit of everything — drinks, sandwiches, milk, eggs, bread, animal feed and medicine,” said Thompson.
However, the business has its seasonal oscillations with summer being the climax and dwindles slightly during the fall and winter.
“In the summertime especially, we get campers and we get different people coming in from out of town. We have regulars all year-round and we get quite a bit of people passing through,” said Hamilton. And being located adjacent to Ohio 3, helps not just business but customers traveling.
Owners have seen the benefit of the drive-thru for the convenient store business.
“The drive-thru has made [business] grow,” said Hamilton. He also hopes to expand his business with drive-thrus to other areas of Knox County.
“Little bit of a slow down but not much because it’s a drive-thru and it’s convenient,” said Thompson.
“Definitely useful for people to pick up snack, drink,” said Thompson. “It is the whole convenience that catches people with a drive-thru.”
Not all drive-thrus are the same, many of them offers different merchandise, like at Beck’s, they provide animal feed and other farming supplies, along with the essential milk and eggs.
“[The drive-thru] works well because we sell animal feed,” explained Thompson. “You don’t have to get out of your car to pick up the 50-pound bags of feed. When you pull up someone does the work for you; much nicer than having to get out of the car.”
“And sometimes time is the essence. [Drive-thrus] cut time if you’re in a rush,” she said.
The simplicity of the three-step process of pick, pay and leave is beneficial in stringent situations and many residents take advantage of the accessibility drive-thrus provide.
“For the elderly it is wonderful they don’t have to get out of their car and it is better than driving across Mount Vernon,” said Thompson.
“I have milk and bread; you’ll get someone, rather than unpack four or five kids and bring them into the store, they can just drive through here,” said Lyons.
“Because of the convenience of it they don’t have to get out of their vehicle especially in the winter time when it’s cold. They can sit right there and can get everything they need,” said Hamilton.
“We are usually steady all day, but between about 4 and 6:30 p.m. it can get pretty busy,” said Thompson.
Community members are pleased with the helpful nature of the employees and ease of purchasing needed items.
“I come here almost everyday,” said Libby Greene, resident of Mount Liberty. “I like the convenience. I come here to get cigarettes, pop, milk and bread.”
“I swing by after work on my way home,” said Jordan Lawless, Mount Liberty resident.
