Changes of convenience have come to the corner of K-Beach and Poppy Lane thanks to the renovations and opening of a new liquor store at Big John’s Chevron. Now locals as well as visitors can get everything they need for their barbeque, party, dinner or lunch while fueling up their car or truck and be ready to head home with no need to drive into Kenai or Soldotna. Bruce Hardy is the merchandising manager of all three Big John’s location and told the Dispatch, “It was a lot of fun and a little challenging to make the renovations required to open the new store. We had to bring in some custom walls and it was a ten week wait for the shelves, but once they were here, we opened in two days which I think is some kind of world record,” he said. Big John’s new liquor store carries a variety of popular beverages including some fine wines, “We carry all the wines from high end to inexpensive selections. We’ve taken advantage of some great deals out there and are passing those on to our customers with great prices and a wide selection,” said Hardy.
The other convenience inside Big John’s at Poppy Lane is the variety other products available while shopping for beverages and gassing up your auto, “Our in and out for lunch is a big draw, we have a crowd from noon to two or so that are workers that want some good food and get right back to work. We’re a restaurant with an expanded menu and have doubled our ice cream capacity with 28 flavors by the scoop. And this is not pre-made micro wave food for on the run. Troy runs our kitchen and does a great job making everything from scratch in our kitchen from pizza, which has become really popular to the same broasted chicken that they serve at Louie’s in Kenai made right here with the same recipe,” he said. In celebration of the new opening Bruce says they’ll be upping the ante with door prizes and making some extra-large buys that will allow them to offer deep discounts on featured products, “We’re having fun! And the big thing here with the gas is now that we partnered with Chevron we can redeem Carrs/Safeway fuel rewards right here. Before you had to go to Anchorage to use your Safeway fuel credits where you can save up to a dollar a gallon now right here. Another convenience we’re offering at a local location where we pretty much have it all under one roof for you and if we don’t just let me know and I’ll get it for you.” Big John’s is open 7 days a week, stop by for your convenience and to save time so you can have more time at home or playing on the Peninsula.