Excelsior Springs, Mo. – Excelsior Springs was abuzz with excitement on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, as QuikTrip held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and soft opening, unveiling the long-awaited store ahead of its original schedule. Initially set to open on October 10, construction progressed so smoothly that QuikTrip was able to move up the grand opening by nearly three weeks, officially opening its doors to the public on Thursday, September 26.
QuikTrip officials, vendors, and city employees gathered to celebrate the store’s milestone opening—the 1100th QuikTrip in the nation and the 101st in the Kansas City metro area. The event featured speeches from QuikTrip management and local leaders, all expressing their enthusiasm for the store’s arrival in the community.
A Warm Welcome to Excelsior Springs
Phil Netz, store manager, expressed his gratitude at the opening reception, saying, “This is awesome. It’s a really nice way to start off, and we feel very welcome to be here.”
Matt Grant, the area supervisor, echoed Netz’s sentiment, adding, “We knew there were going to be a decent amount of people here, but I didn’t think that we would have this big of a turnout, and I think that’s really awesome. Everybody that’s come in, from First Responders to the Chamber of Commerce, and everybody that works for the city has been extremely welcoming.”
Excelsior Springs Mayor Pro Tem Stephen Spear addressed the crowd during the ribbon-cutting, remarking on the community’s excitement. “What began as several years of rumors, comments, and requests on social media has now become a tangible reality in our community,” he said. In his comments, Spear highlighted QuikTrip’s core values and commitment to its communities, donating five percent of net profits to charitable organizations within those communities. He added, “On behalf of all of Excelsior Springs and our surrounding communities, today we extend a heartfelt welcome to our newest business!”
A Special Day for QuikTrip
For Caitlynn Reasby, QuikTrip’s project manager, the opening held extra significance, marking the first store she had guided from start to finish. Meanwhile, Jeremy Crosby, QuikTrip’s real estate manager, revealed that he had been eyeing Excelsior Springs as a potential location for nearly 15 years. But Tara Limbach, QuikTrip’s real estate project manager, said that the enthusiasm from the Excelsior Springs community “definitely played a part” in tipping the scales in favor of bringing the popular convenience store to town.
The excitement surrounding the store spilled over into the community as well. On Thursday morning, a steady stream of eager customers flowed into the new location, with some even waiting outside before the doors opened. By the end of the day, the store had served more than double the number typically seen at other locations. Stephanie Gonzalez, second assistant store manager, said she was impressed by the high demand. “At my last location, most days, we’d serve around 600 customers. By the time my shift ended on opening day, we had already seen over 1,400.”
QuikTrip in the Community
The excitement wasn’t limited to QuikTrip’s employees and customers. Local schools got in on the action, too, using the store’s opening as an opportunity for hands-on learning. Christy Harris, curriculum coordinator at Excelsior Springs School District, shared that many 4th and 5th-grade teachers planned to incorporate QuikTrip’s new “Curri+Q-Lum” math program into their lessons on opening day.
“At Elkhorn Elementary, we’re going to use it on QT’s opening day,” Harris explained. “The kids will complete four different tasks as customers and clerks, perform inventory, and calculate pump costs. They even get name tags and coupons for completing the activities—it’s going to be so much fun!”
The “Curri+Q-Lum” program, designed for grades 4-6, allows students to rotate through stations that simulate real-world scenarios, like counting change and checking inventory, giving students the chance to see how math applies in everyday life.
What’s Next for Excelsior Springs?
QuikTrip’s arrival marks the achievement of a long-held community goal. As Jeremy Fisk, a local resident and QuikTrip enthusiast, exclaimed, “I don’t know if there’s anyone in town more excited about this than I am!” Toting his vintage 52oz QT mug, Fisk shared how he uses the QuikTrip app to get deals on food and gas.
Looking ahead, the community is already discussing what exciting developments might come next. As for now, Excelsior Springs is thrilled to welcome QuikTrip into the fold and embrace all that the convenience store has to offer.
If you haven’t already, be sure to stop by the new QuikTrip at 2021 W Jesse James Rd and join in the celebration!
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