One of the kindest experiences we've ever had while traveling--and at a gas station of all places!
My sister and I were on a road trip to visit family when we urgently needed to find a restroom. There weren't many places to stop in the area, which was becoming a concern because I use a wheelchair due to a neurological disability that causes weakness and tremors in my arms and legs. I'm not paralyzed and can walk short distances, but walking can be difficult.
We pulled into this store and saw several people in the parking lot, so naturally we assumed it was open. Because it was a small store and we thought we'd only be inside for a few minutes, we decided it would be easier for me to walk in rather than go through the process of getting my wheelchair out.
We slowly made our way to the front door--only to discover they were closed on Sundays.
At that point there wasn't much we could do except turn around, struggle back to the car, and hope we could find another restroom quickly.
On our way back, a gentleman walked past us. A few steps later, we suddenly heard a voice behind us:
"Excuse me, ladies, do you need to use the restroom?"
We turned around, and it was the gentleman who had just passed us. We explained what had happened, and that's when we learned that he was one of the two brothers who own the store.
He opened the store for us.
Not because we were customers. Not because he was trying to make a sale. The store was CLOSED. He simply told us he was concerned that we might have difficulty finding another clean restroom nearby and that he was happy to let us in.
I can't adequately explain how much that simple act of kindness meant in that moment.
And when he said "clean restroom," he meant CLEAN! The restroom was modest, but it was absolutely immaculate. Honestly, it may have been the cleanest gas station restroom I've ever seen. The entire store was spotless and clearly very well cared for.
What stayed with us most, though, wasn't the restroom or even how clean the store was. It was the fact that this man saw two strangers struggling across his parking lot on a day his business wasn't even open, recognized that we might need help, and went out of his way to help us.
There was nothing in it for him.
That tells me everything I need to know about the people who own this business.
So if you're traveling through this area, please stop here. Fill up your tank. Buy your snacks and drinks here. Try some of their home-cooked-style food. And apparently, if you need a restroom, you've also stumbled across one of the cleanest gas station bathrooms around!
This store is owned by two brothers who clearly take tremendous pride in their business and care about their community and the people who come through it.
There are plenty of places where you can buy gas. I would much rather spend my money supporting people who treat others this way.
We were just passing through, but we won't forget this place--or the kindness one of its owners showed us that day. read more