Jan. 4, 2019 – West Bend, WI – There’s a U-Haul moving van backed up to the entrance of the Egbert & Guido’s Citgo station, 1300 E. Paradise Drive in West Bend as the Muth family has confirmed it has sold its gas station to Kwik Trip.
“We have been very blessed with the most dedicated staff,” said Kathy Muth.
She and husband George took a break from lunch for a couple of quick comments as they wrapped up 21 years at the family-owned business.
“We have an outstanding manager, Carolee, who is a great team leader along with our assistant manager Cindy and they all surprised us last night when we closed the store and we took a group picture. They’re family,” said Kathy Muth.
It was Dec. 22, 2018 when WashingtonCountyInsider.com confirmed the Muths were selling the Citgo station Kwik Trip.
“We’ve had a couple tearful days this week along with a lot of our loyal customers who were sad to see us closing the store,” said Kathy. “It wasn’t an easy decision but it made sense.”
The corner of northwest corner of Paradise Drive and River Road has been in the Muth family since 1847.
“That was always farm field,” said George Muth. “It was corn, soybeans and hay and I farmed it when I was young and I was fifth generation to farm it.”
George remembered all four corners were farm field and Paradise Drive was “a very skinny, one-lane road.”
The sign on the corner of Paradise by the roundabout reads, “Thanks for 21 years. Bon voyage.”
“That was the employees’ idea,” said George.
A yellow ribbon flaps in the wind as it has cordoned off the pumps in the parking lot.
A colorful sign on the door reads, “Thank you for 21 great years! We will always be grateful for loyal customers and dedicated staff! God’s Blessing in 2019! George and Kathy Muth.”
“We are not retiring,” said George. “It’s just a business we’re selling. We still have the dairy farm in Fillmore. The gas station was something my wife ran.”
Contact has been made with Kwik Trip officials regarding the future of the store.
Early word is Kwik Trip will be remodeling the store. Employees were told they had to reapply for their jobs.
This is the third Kwik Trip in West Bend. The other stores are located on Silverbrook Drive and 806 S. Main Street.
Click HERE to read more from the Muth family about the sale of Egbert & Guido’s Express.
