To see local color go to the gas station
Eclectic groups gather to talk, spit at corner marts
So you're sitting staring at your Calculus book thinking, "What is that horizontal figure eight? And what does this all mean — deriving, integrating?"
Well, you call Carter Jayaram, the math wizard you've known since high school, and he tells you the sideways figure-eight is infinity. Infinity. Yeeah, right. You exhale a befuddled sigh.
That takes some contemplation. You decide you need a trip to Kwik Shop to let the concept simmer. Instead of thinking about Calculus while you're panning the aisles, checking out the merchandise, picking up a pack of smokes, you start thinking about convenience stores and what a vital part of life they are to the college student.
Consider the ASAP Amoco Mart on Sixth Street right before the I-70 ramp. It has a
Each convenience store has so many different items, giving each store it's own identity. Well, maybe that's too philosophical for some, but humor me.
pink stuffed animal dressed in Harley Davidson garb with hooves out-stretched, ready to ride. The ASAP also has a Zippo lighter display complete with Harley Davidson belt buckles, all glistening in the lighted case, tantalizing every Hawg rider who peruses the store before a weekend
April, 1996 The Hill
I suggest starting up a conversation.Say something like, "What're ya haulin'?"
getaway. Where else can you find such wonderful things in life but convenience stores?
Winona Ryder couldn't have said it better than she did in Reality Bites: "I couldn't make it through the day without my 32-ounce Big Gulp." Except we're in Lawrence, so it's a 32-ounce Chiller. There's just something about a fountain drink that you can pour yourself, with as
Another interesting convenience store find is the Miller Mart at Sixth Street and Fireside Drive, just east of Kasold Drive. This store has it all. Even thought it's a little out of the way, it's worth the trip. This store boasts, count'em, twenty-four gas pumps, including diesel pumps for truckers. This is relevant because truckers provide substantial local color to a convenience store.
The best place to find local farmers is the EZ shop on 19th Street, east of Massachusetts Street. I love to watch them mosey in the door and gawk. There is no social taboo against gawking with a farmer. I say gawking with because you're both gawking at each other. You can stare them down. After all, they try to stare you.
much or little ice as you want, in a wide variety of sizes, with gurgling carbonated foam splashing you in the face with each first sip. You can't get that from a can or bottle.
Even better, the store has three flavors of Big League Chew, so you don't have to chew tobacco to get in good with the truckers. I suggest starting up a conversation for the full experience. Say something like, "What're ya haulin'?" If he doesn't spit on your shoe, that's a good sign.
A nice juxtaposition to the trucker atmosphere at Miller Mart is some of the fine merchandise. This eclectic variety of items includes Sampoerna cloves, Ferrero Rocher fine chocolate, and good steak sauce.
As most convenience stores do, Miller Mart has all the basic hangover remedy products — Visine, Extra Strength Tylenol, greasy Polish hot dogs.
I can name several reasons. They make fresh sandwiches. They sell cigarettes for less than Kwik Shop does. Most importantly, the people are more interesting.
They wonder what the heck a college student is doing in East Lawrence when there's a Kwik Shop at 19th and Massachusetts streets.
I guess that's why I'm such a fan of convenience stores. They're a universal meeting place. Everybody needs gas for their car, and why not pick up some coffee or a soda on the way?
They're a place where all are equal and world peace is achieved for the five minutes you wait in line with the farmers, truckers and businessmen. Well, okay, maybe I'm over the top. But what would you expect from someone who procrastinates Calculus homework to philosophize about convenience stores?
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