News about the Johnson Lane General Store

Everyone, I would like to officially welcome Longley Partners to the neighborhood. 

They recently acquired the Johnson Lane General Store. Longley Partners main owners are Rob Cashell and Art Hinckley. Cashell owns and operates Topaz Lodge and Mr. Hinckley owned and operated the Winners Corners convenience stores that were throughout Northern Nevada. Mr. Hinckley sold off the majority of his properties several years ago but now is getting back into the business. Longley Partners currently operates the Winners Cross Chevron and Car Wash in Reno on the northeast corner of Huffaker Lane.

I was fortunate enough to speak to Dave Kette who represents the partnership about their recent purchase of the store and what the future brings. As a precursor to the interview, I went to the Johnson Lane Community Page and asked the readers for their questions, I then presented those to Mr. Kette. This Journal is going to be a summation of the questions and Mr. Kette’s answers. I won’t be giving names here but thank you to all the contributors and I hope I captured your need to know. 

There were several posters who wanted to grant a warm welcome to the new owners and wished them many years of good luck and success. I hope everyone realizes that the store can not survive without the community, and we really need the store in the community. We are so isolated here I can’t imagine being here without the opportunity to stop and get fuel, milk, or my coffee in the mornings when I am driving by. So, a big thank you for investing in our little Banana Flats.

To the question of if they are locals, Mr. Kette responded that he and the owners have been operating convenience stores for over 40 years. While not necessarily a local in Johnson Lane they have owned several properties in Northern Nevada. 

Will the store continue to operate 24 hours a day 7 days a week for 365 days a year? The answer was a solid yes.

A poster asked if the store will make their prices competitive to Costco again? Mr. Kette committed to making the prices very competitive to the local market. In my own words, readers need to understand it is difficult to ask a small operation to match the prices of the big box distributors, who get huge discounts due to the volume they sell per year. If the operators are able to stay under other local operators, then that is a huge benefit instead of driving 10 miles to the nearest pump. So, I ask you to please consider that when buying fuel. 

Currently, there is a limit to the amount of fuel you can buy. This limit prevents large trucks and RV’s from filling up without resetting the pump and restarting which is a large inconvenience. Mr. Kette said he wasn’t aware of the issue but would reach out to the store manager and get it resolved. 

Are there plans to increase what they carry, are they going to provide windshield washing capabilities. Mr. Kette said he would get that taken care of immediately. You should see squeegees soon.

What renovations are in the works? Can you fix the parking lot? 

Mr. Kette stated the renovations will be done to brighten up the shopping experience. New paint, resetting the counters, a new fountain drink machine with 100 flavors and he will see what can be done about the parking lot. They intend on bringing in a Foreal milk shake machine as well as keeping soft serve ice cream. The intent is to make the store more customer friendly and maintain customer safety. 

It was recommended the owners add a dump station for RV’s, a wash rack for UTV’s and sell propane gas. Mr. Kette thought those were all good ideas and stated they will soon have bulk propane for sale. 

Will the casino area stay and be updated? 

According to Mr. Kette, the casino area is operated by a gaming company. It will remain open 24 hours and he had thought the machines had all been updated recently. He assures the community he will bring it up with the gaming company.

The topic of food was on several posters’ minds. In order to save some space, I will summarize. 

The partnership is indeed looking at bringing in some sort of hot food. While pizza, as you knew it, will not be returning, they are planning on adding some sort of hot food including pizza and hot sandwiches to the sales floor. 

It is unlikely to be a deli but he is interested in the idea. As soon as COVID calms down hot dogs and soft serve will return. 

Additionally, he would be open to the idea of partnering with a food truck vendor on weekends as long as it didn’t diminish in store sales. 

Where is the Philly cheesesteak vendor? I would love one right now. 

Mr. Kette said it is very difficult to keep fresh produce due to the short shelf life, but they will see what they can to do to meet the communities needs including the addition of a suggestion box. 

The final question pertained to beer. Mr. Kette stated they would be renovating the kitchen area into a Beer Cave where you could get a wide variety of beer including craft breweries. That should wet your taste buds.

Finally, I asked Mr. Kette what he wanted the community to know. The partnership wants to make the store a great looking, customer focused convenience store while also meeting the requirements of being profitable. 

They wish to be a good neighbor and ask if you have any concerns or input specially about safety or customer satisfaction to please contact the manager Mr. Marc Bradford at (775) 267-2265. I am hoping they keep Gus the moose myself.

One last item. I would be remiss if I didn’t say hello to Edie Melin who has worked, retired from and then went back to work for the General Store for nearly 30 years. Be sure you thank her for all the time she has put in at the General Store. 

Thank you for sharing a few moments with me. Please send any announcements or organization information to Johnsonlanejournal@outlook.com.