GF Convenience Completes 10-Store Acquisition

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- GF Convenience LLC added 10 convenience stores to its portfolio through the purchase of Mertens Oil, according to a report by the Jefferson City News Tribune. The acquisition initially included 13 c-stores, but three were sold the same day they were purchased.

The stores are located in Jefferson City, Eugene, Eldon, Versailles, Tuscumbia, Freeburg, Russellville, California, St. Elizabeth and Sedalia, Mo. The 10 retained locations will be rebranded under GF Convenience's Eagle Stop banner, according to Kurt Fisher, who co-owns the company with Tony Gier. All Eagle Stop stores sell Cenex fuel.

"The things we pride ourselves on are the cleanliness and the lighting," Fisher said. "The majority of people in the household who get fuel are women, and you want extremely well-lit and clean operations during the evenings so they feel safe."

Mertens Oil was founded by Roger Mertens, who passed away several years ago. His five children sold the company to GF Convenience for an undisclosed price following the more recent death of Mertens' wife, the report stated.

Customer service will remain a company staple at Eagle Stop, Fisher said. "It still boils down to 'the customer is always right,'" he noted. "And if it's not convenient, it's not much of a store."

Fisher added that the company hopes to co-brand more of its stores with restaurants such as Lutz's Famous BBQ, McDonald's or Taco Bell.