Kay Corner Mart coming soon

By ADAM CATLIN
NHJ Editor

Michelle Barrows will be the new manager of the Kay Corner Mart, which is going into the former EZ-Mart building in Newkirk.
Remodeling was still going on last week with a dumpster out front of the old gas station. Barrows said she hopes to have the store ready to open in early June.
Barrows, who lives in Newkirk, said the new business will have what she called, “loads of gas station stuff. And gas and hot food.”
The station will be open seven days a week from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m.
One thing yet to be determined is what kind of gasoline the station will sell.
The owner, Anil Adhkari, also owns about 45 other gas stations in both Oklahoma and Texas. Barrows pointed out that he has been using local people for the remodel, giving them opportunities to make money.
“He believes in staying within the local area, definitely the community, with any of his needs,” she said.
According to Barrows, the previous owners, Annie and Nixon Alam sold the station and retired.
“They had been there for over 10 years. With a sad heart, they had to retire,” she explained.
The canopy over the gas pumps had been destroyed in a recent thunderstorm. Barrows said it will be replaced along with the gas pumps as soon as possible.
“Right now, we’re working on the building inside and out, and we will have a new drink station and a new beer cave.”
She admitted that the remodel is taking a little longer than originally anticipated.
Aside from Adhkari, the owner, there is also Michelle Godfrey, the assistant manager, and Barrows. Barrows said they had not hired anyone else yet.
The business hopes to get with the Newkirk Chamber of Commerce to do a ribbon-cutting sometime in June.
“We will have competitive pricing for our area,” Barrows said.
She added that the business also would like to donate to help the children of the community.