By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Shari Meyer, Real Estate Administrative Coordinator at Kwik Trip’s headquarters in La Crosse, told the Banner that the first of the company’s Whitewater stores, to be located at the roundabout on Elkhorn Road, is scheduled to have its “soft opening” on December 9. Ribbon cutting/grand opening is planned for December 15. The second store, at Janesville Street and Highway 59, is expected to open in January, 2022. Meyer was unable to provide construction start dates, but expected it would be soon, since construction generally takes 3-6 months. Although there had been a local comment to the effect that Kwik Trip’s construction personnel are inhouse, Meyer indicated that general contractors are normally used, who in many cases have already had experience with their stores. She stated that the company is usually on target with their opening dates, except if there are extenuating circumstances such as raw material or labor shortages, which she acknowledged could be a factor this year.

Meyer described the planned models as “generation three stores,” which carry more take home food such as sandwiches and entrees than previous store models.