“We haven’t changed anything,” said Tony Heisterkamp, who recently purchased Akron Pronto at the corner of Reed Street and Iowa Highway 12. Except the name. It’s now called “TJ’s Country Store.” And the services. Heisterkamp and his wife, Jennifer, have expanded the business to include more food items, beverage selections, gasoline choice, “New Release” movie rentals and the sale of artwork. The gasoline pumps have been repaired, and there are now three types of petroleum products available: diesel, a 10-percent ethanol blend, and 87 and 89 percent unleaded gasolines. On Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., full-service will be available at the pumps, said Heisterkamp, adding that they are considering adding other fuels such as E-85 ethanol, biodiesel, and off-road diesel. The Heisterkamps have expanded the food selections to include the following:

• Three full-line vendors of pop, water, and energy drinks.

• About 30 varieties of iced tea drinks and approximately 25 flavors of fruit juices.

• A large selection of bottled water and vitamin waters.

• Fountain beverages now include 10 Pepsi and Coca-Cola products.

• Carbonated beverage dispenser for slushies. Currently, raspberry and cherry are the featured flavors.

• Flavor Burst malts.

• Three additional alcoholic beverage selections from Budweiser, Coors and Miller. The food freezer has been converted to a beer cooler set at 29 degrees – the coldest beer can be kept without freezing.

• Chocolate, vanilla and twist thick and creamy softserve ice cream. Root beer floats are also an option.

• Tripled the isle space for candy, chips, pharmaceuticals, and automotive items. In addition, there are vegetables, fruits and “emergency food” items such as Hamburger Helpers, spaghetti and rice. “All these additions are self-serve,” said Heisterkamp. “Customers don’t have to wait in line to order a malt, slushi or ice cream cone. They can come in whenever they want and get whatever very quickly. That’s part of the convenience country store philosophy.” “We try to carry as much selection as we can at the lowest prices possible and yet give you full-service and self-service options,” he said. They have also added a broaster to offer broasted chicken and pork chops and a food warmer to keep the food hotter and fresher. “With the warmer, we expanded our dinner selections,” said Heisterkamp, “so those on the run, who have just 30 minutes to eat, can come in and get a real nice meal.” Their dinner specials will continue through the end of May, then the menu will feature more “Drive-In” style foods. In addition, the stores hours will expand during the summer months. Currently, TJ’s Country Store is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays. Heisterkamp plans to expand summer hours to 11 p.m. on weekdays and possibly to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. “Customers can come in, get ice cream, malts, root beer floats, sandwiches, pizza and chicken during the evening hours,” said Heisterkamp, adding that if customers want to order large quantities, he’d appreciate a call ahead of time in order to have it ready. The store’s phone number is 568-3545. “New Release” movies are now available to rent bringing customers between 300 and 500 movie choices. Once the New Release movies move to the general movie rental category, the movies will be for sale. In addition, customers can place orders to purchase specific movies. But food, gasoline and movie choices aren’t the only way the business is expanding. Heisterkamp is remodeling the rest of the building, which hasn’t been open for business in years. In the middle of the building, where formerly there was an agri-business, Heisterkamp is planning to open a liquor and wine store. Then at the north end of the building, “farmer’s market” products from Heisterkamps’ Eden Valley Apple Orchard will be sold Saturday mornings during the summer and fall. Vegetable and fruit produce will include apples, sweet corn, potatoes, rhubarb, strawberries, carrots, beets, beans and other garden vegetables. “We haven’t changed anything,” said Heisterkamp. “It’s still the same hometown service. We want to be their hometown shopping source for a multitude of items from food and pop to gasoline.” Heisterkamp, an Onawa native, has been in the furniture business for the past 30 years. Last year when he contemplated retirement, the Heisterkamps purchased a hobby farm in Akron, S.D. “So much for retirement,” laughed Heisterkamp, explaining he didn’t spend even one whole day in “retirement” before he decided it wasn’t going to work for him. Six months ago he hadn’t planned on owning a convenience store, Heisterkamp told The Akron Hometowner. “I thought TJ’s Country Store would be kind of fun to do. Another challenge. I like challenges.” In just 60 days, the Heisterkamps have tripled the business and are looking for even more growth. When Heisterkamp is not at the store, he can be found working on their hobby farm. Jennifer is also the University of South Dakota Aramark Food Service office manager. The Heisterkamps have three children: Jon and his wife, Heidi of Panama City, Panama; Emily and her husband, Chuck Palmer of Kansas City, Mo.; and Katie of Vermillion, S.D. They have one 18-monthold granddaughter, Allison Palmer. They also are animal lovers who currently have three dogs and are active in their church and have enjoyed mission trips to Peru. “We love the country life,” said Heisterkamp, who enjoys golfing, boating, hunting and fishing. “The Akron area, even before we built our house, a couple of our neighbors came up on four-wheelers and introduced themselves,” said Heisterkamp. “We were welcomed into the area. Akron’s been very open, kind and courteous and welcoming to us.” “We’ve appreciated that,” he said. “We really like the area – the landscape, the hills, the river, the typical farming community, which is open and friendly.” “The people make the difference here,” said Heisterkamp. “Our regular customers are a very important and integral part of the business. Without that, we’d probably just be the typical convenience store you see down on the interstate.” Just stop by the “Coffee Shop” in TJ’s Country Store and see for yourself.