By Clint Wolf - November 27th 2023

 

SOUTH BELOIT

Signs indicate construction is nearly complete at the site of the new Kwik Star store and truck stop in South Beloit.

Fuel pumps have been installed, parking lot and driveway areas have been paved and the Kwik Star name can be seen on canopies on the property.

The opening of the new Kwik Star near the intersection of Illinois Route 75 and Interstate 39/90 is set for Jan. 11, according to Seth Waddell, development manager for Kwik Trip Inc. A grand opening event will he held on Jan. 23. Waddell also said the South Beloit Kwik Star will employ about 100 people.

South Beloit Mayor Tom Fitzgerald said he looks forward to the opening of the business and he looks forward to possible future development in the area.

“We hope to develop that whole area out there,” Fitzgerald said.

He noted that Manchester Road did not go any further once it intersected with Route 75, but now with the Kwik Star development, the road was extended past Route 75. Also a stoplight was installed at Manchester Road and Route 75, which will be operational once Kwik Star opens. The road extension and traffic light grants access to property behind the Kwik Star property and opens the possibility for future development in that area, Fitzgerald said.

He said there has been no definite plans for any of the property, but any business or residential development would be welcome.

The city offered a tax rebate incentive for the Kwik Star development project, which totals about $2.2 million in property tax and sales tax rebates. The tax rebate deal is to expire in 10 years or when the business reaches $2.2 million in sales tax, which ever comes first.

Kwik Star is part of the Kwik Trip retail chain. Stores in Illinois go by Kwik Star rather than Kwik Trip, but most of the products and services are the same.

The new fuel station, convenience store and truck stop sits on 18 acres near the busy intersection. Other gas station/convenience store businesses already in the area include Flying J, Road Ranger and FasFuel.

Kwik Trip opened its first store in 1965 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Today, Kwik Trip/Kwik Star has over 800 locations in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The company headquarters is in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

The chain is known for not only offering fuel and convenience items, but hot food such as sandwiches, chicken, soups and pizza.

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