Kountry Korner opened 23 years ago as a locally owned convenience center, but recently the old building was razed and replaced with a larger store.
Hardy Baum owned and operated the store for 22 years but decided to sell last year when he realized the store needed a new roof, a new floor and other renovations. Baum's daughter Rebecka Hutchings stayed on as manager for the new owners.Keith Joseph, Doug Christison and Jim Christison, Doug's brother, purchased Kountry Korner a year ago, planning for future renovations.
"We bought it with the intent of doing this, but none of us were in the food business previously, so we waited a year. We think we'll get more business now," said Joseph.
The new building, which stands behind the spot occupied by the original store, took two months to build. On June 18, the old store was torn down in just 45 minutes. The new store opened for business Thursday.
Along with the new building, new gas pumps and an automatic car wash are planned.
The original building and pumps comprised the first gas station in the Alpine and Highland area. Soon, 14 new pumps with 28 hoses will be installed providing both unleaded and diesel fuel. Chevron will supply the gas for the new pumps but will not be involved in the business itself.
The new building also has new fountain drink machines, new coolers and a new kitchen and grill.
"The grill was installed 10 years ago, and I think it intimidated people in the old building. Now, we would like it to be more family oriented. We've added several menu items for kids. I hope we can really serve the community," said Hutchings.
In the old building, Hutchings and fellow manager Dawna Shelly operated the grill on their own, serving up 500 hamburgers a day. They have added salads, baked potatoes and pizza to their breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. Hutchings said that an additional three cooks will be needed to handle the increase in business. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., a steady line of customers waits for food items. During the lunch hour, it's not unusual for 25 people to stand patiently waiting.
There is a large seating area for the grill patrons as well as convenience items for the hurried shopper.
Kountry Korner is one of a handful of stores in the Highland and Alpine area. Across the street in a strip mall, Kohler's grocery store has been in business for several years.
"When Kohler's came, it brought in a lot more business. We changed some of our items from grocery to more convenience stuff . . . " Hutchings said. "But my dad always said business promotes business, and he was right."
"We both have our niche," Joseph added. "We're a convenience store and they're a grocery store. It's kind of a different market."
Kountry Korner serves Highland and Alpine, but many customers pass through on their way up American Fork Canyon. Canyon visitors stop for fishing, picnic and food supplies at Kountry Korner.
"You can't believe the night crawlers we go through," said Joseph.