Robo Enterprises continues to make its convenience stores even more convenient.
The family-owned-and-operated business has opened a new location at 817 N. Main St., Jamestown. It is the company's third gas and convenience store location, with one also located at 111 Marion St. and another located at 435 Central Ave., Dunkirk. The new location also features the company's second upscale laundromat, which the business first started at its Marion Street location in 2007.
''We definitely saw the need for a clean, convenient laundromat location,'' said Kim Carlson, Robo Enterprises co-owner along with Aaron Beichner, Tom Beichner and George Carlson.
Article Photos
Aaron Beichner and Kim Carlson, Robo Enterprises co-owners, in their new gas, convenience store and laundromat location at 817 N. Main St., Jamestown.
P-J photo by Dennis Phillips
The North Main Street location opened in December, with business steadily picking up as temperatures warm.
''The more the snow melts the more people notice we our here,'' said Aaron Beichner. ''Customers are excited to have us here. We're excited to be on the other side of the city now. We're excited to meet the neighborhood.''
Ms. Carlson said area customers have enjoyed the combination of the convenience store and the laundromat.
''I think it has surprised people. They weren't expecting (both),'' she said. ''I also think they are glad to see how new and clean everything is in the store.''
Ms. Carlson said the best part of operating the business is the people.
''The customers have turned into our friends,'' she said.
The store features fresh sandwiches and pizza - with single slices for 99 cents. Also, soda, beer, lottery tickets, and a variety of snacks and coffee can easily be found inside the store's doors. The business has a loyalty program, with double points on Tuesday that could lead to customers earning a free car wash.
''It is our way to thank the community,'' Ms. Carlson said.
Ms. Carlson said the company is planning a grand opening that will be announced in the future. The event will feature grilled hot dogs and drawings for free items.
The wholesale gas company was started in 1965 and has expanded to include a self-storage business, a car wash, a dog wash and Tastee Corners in the South Side plaza along Foote Avenue.
The convenience store and laundromat are opened from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday.