Petticoat Junction Comes to Lebo
Nancy S. Hawkins
Saturday, September 15, 2007
LEBO — After several months of sitting idle, the convenience store north of Lebo just off Interstate 35 is now open for business.
Owners Tim and Beverly Masters of Vassar were offered the opportunity to purchase the building, liked the location and, on Father’s Day, made the final decision to make the purchase.
The building for the business, which has been named “Petticoat Junction,” has been renovated to house new bathrooms, a shower and a washer and dryer for those who have laundry needs. There is seating available for 20 and at least 14 different soft drinks and coffee. The menu notes a variety of foods, including mountain oysters and other special lunch items. Hunts Bros. pizza, potatoes, chicken gizzards and livers and their famous volcano burrito round out the menu. Naming a burrito would usually leave one to wonder how spicy it is; however, this burrito is so named because of its amount of cheese. In addition to the normal snacks and goodies, various desserts including muffins, cake and cookies will be sold. Tim Masters said most of the food is homemade. They also take orders for cakes for special occasions.
Otherwise, store shelves are stocked much like most convenience stores along a busy travelers’ path, including T-shirts denoting “Where is Petticoat Junction?”
There is a full line of gas pumps, including diesel and off-road diesel. Masters said the pumps are available 24 hours a day.
The Masterses are not new to this type of business. They own and operate Green Acres, located on Pomona Lake near Vassar. Tim Masters said he has been in the gasoline business for nearly 24 years. The two business names came from the old television series the couple used to watch. There is no Arnold at Green Acres, and the only water tower at Petticoat Junction is part of the etching over the fountain drinks.
There are 13 employees at Petticoat Junction, including day manager Debbie Hufford, who lives near Pomona Lake; and evening manager Rhonda McIntyre of Lebo.
With two stores, the Masterses are fairly busy. Beverly Masters also works as a paralegal in Topeka.
The Masterses and their employees are eager to meet everyone and are ready to serve, not only travelers, but local citizens as well. Watch for their grand opening, which is being scheduled for early October.