SAN JUAN ISLAND BUSINESS

Little Store expands to Big Store

posted 01/13/04
Entertainment Tonite convenience store will become The Big Store February 1, 2004. Bob Wingate, owner of The Little Store finalized the purchase from Dave and Debbie Treise Monday, Jan. 12. Wingate plans to operate both stores. "It is an opportunity for the corporation to expand," he said. "It is not often you get the opportunity to double your business overnight."

Wingate wishes the Trieses "all the luck in the world." Dave Treise runs Jimmy's Cafe in Paradise Lanes. Treise said the cafe is going very well. "It services the clientele," he said.

The Little Store employees are excited over the acquisition, according to Wingate. Having both stores will provide opportunities for increased efficiencies. The large kitchen at ET will be put to use. The Little Store is popular with people looking for a quick, inexpensive lunch.

While most of the current operations will be maintained, Wingate has a few changes in mind. He didn't want to elaborate at the time of this interview. "We'll have some surprises for the customers," he said.

Both stores will continue to sell gasoline. The pumps are owned by Petro San Juan which sets the gasoline prices. Wingate provides the staff to sell the fuel. Both properties are owned by David Moorhouse.

Wingate has been in the food distribution since age 15. He spent 10 years as a retail manager before running his own food distribution business for 23 years. "I worked my way up from box boy, meat room cleaner, etc." he said. He called on The Little Store and ET as part of his rounds with his food distribution business.

Seven years ago, an accident led him to consider a lifestyle change. Within two months, he had sold his Tacoma business, bought The Little Store and moved onto his sailboat in Friday Harbor.

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