Landmark Four Corners business closes doors

February 18, 2007

By Russell Stigall/Frontiersman

MAT-SU - Mom and Pops goes fizz.

The landmark Tesoro gas station and grocery store on the corner of Palmer-Wasilla Highway and Trunk Road has shut its doors.

Fisher's Fuel Inc. pumped dry Mom and Pops' regular and premium unleaded

fuel tanks early Friday

morning.

Mom and Pops owner Scott Frank said he closed the grocery and gas business because it was losing money.

&#8220It is cheaper to close right now,” Frank said. &#8220Summer is just too far away.”

Frank said Mom and Pops just didn't have the patronage to make the business profitable.

&#8220When you have low margins you have to have high volume,” Frank said. &#8220We needed summertime volume and it's

February.”

A third-generation grocer, Frank took over the family business when it already included Mom and Pops. His grandfather and father amassed several stores around the Palmer-Wasilla area.

&#8220They started before I was born,” Frank said.

Mom and Pops grocery and gas will close along with the Franks' Hot Stuff pizza place. Knik Country Liquor, which shares the building, will stay open.

&#8220They're doing good,” Frank said.

Mom and Pops isn't dead and gone quite yet, Frank said. There may be a shiny new Mom and Pops on the horizon.

&#8220I'm not saying were not going to maybe remodel and modernize,” Frank said. But the Valley will have to wait

and see.

Frank said he realized his loyal customers will be disappointed with the closure.

&#8220We're not to happy about it either, but you have to do what you have to do.”

In the meantime, Frank said he is going to spend some time on his snowmachine.

&#8220Maybe we'll see you next summer,” Frank said.

Contact Russell Stigall at

352-2267 or russell.stigall@

frontiersman.com