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N-Stant Convenience Shell Oil station new option for fueling up
McCOOK, Neb. - Travelers and locals have another option for fueling up their vehicles in McCook with the opening of N-Stant Convenience fueling station at the intersection of US Highway 83 and Highway 6&34 in McCook.
The Shell Oil franchise includes eight pumps that offer super-unleaded, unleaded, premium, and non-branded diesel fuel. The spacious parking lot provides ample room for drivers to maneuver their vehicles to any one of the desired pumps. Owner Nick Nothnagel points out that there is plenty of room for farm trucks and trailers to turn around in the lot, although semi-trailer traffic cannot be accommodated.
The large canopy provides protection from the weather and shade to read the instructions for pumping and payment on the screens. Payment at the pump with a debit or credit card is simple and convenient. No cash is accepted. The fueling station is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and provides abundant lighting for late-night fill-ups.
The station will be a participant of Shell Rewards. By signing up at fuelrewards.com, customers earn points that will save cents off per gallon when filling up at any participating Shell station. There’s no charge for the rewards card, and customers can link any existing credit or debit card to acquire even more rewards points when making everyday purchases.
Nothnagel said he has been chasing this dream for over six years. The property was originally owned by the State of Nebraska. Nick credits Kurt Vosburg, District 7 Nebraska Department of Transportation, with helping him through the hurdles of purchasing the property from the state.
He said tax increment financing was another hurdle. The original TIF financing was put in place in April 2020, at the very beginning of the pandemic. In order to qualify for TIF financing, several complicated conditions have to be met and eligible costs must be identified. Nick said the City of McCook and McCook Economic Development Corporation assisted in securing the TIF financing.
Having never been in the fuel business, Nick said he’s had a pretty steep learning curve, with a lot of “small details” that require attention. In addition, being an independent franchise owner, as opposed to a corporate chain, is somewhat bucking the industry trend.
Nick is a 2003 McCook High School graduate and has a degree in business management from the University of Nebraska Kearney. Nick, along with his brother/business partner Matt, both have a strong commitment to McCook. Nick and his wife Hanah have two sons. Matt and his wife, Chae, are raising three boys in McCook. Nick is the assistant golf coach at McCook Community College, as well as a volunteer coach for the MCC volleyball team. “So we’re fully invested here”, Nick said.
For instance, Nick said that almost 95 percent of the development of the fuel station was completed through local businesses. Nick said the project was financed through MNB Bank; insured through GTA Insurance and local and regional contractors were used for the build. Some of the locals include Hegwood Concrete, BSB Construction, Maris Construction, Engineering International, Miller & Associates, Swanson Signs, Volz Plumbing, and Paul Sutton Painting.
The Nothnagel name is a familiar one in McCook. Nick’s and Matt’s parents, John and Betty Nothnagel, owned and operated CT Jewel in McCook from 1988 until 2012 when they moved the business to Omaha.
That was when Nick started Nick’s Distribution on East B Street. Nick’s Distribution is a wholesale company that specializes in restaurant disposables, convenience store snacks, candy, tobacco products, janitorial supplies, copy paper, trash can liners, and paper products. Nick’s Distribution Wholesale products are also available to the general public and businesses.
Growing throughout the years, the enterprise has evolved to include five retail stores throughout Nebraska and Kansas. N-Stant Convenience is a retail liquor store that offers a large selection of craft beers, wine, liquor, adult tobacco products and other convenience store items. Fountain products, soft-serve ice cream, and sandwiches made locally by Braxton’s Brisket Barbique are offered at N-Stant Convenience in McCook. Nick and Matt have 43 employees throughout their businesses.
Nick credits his parents for his business sense and his desire to grow. He said their work ethic and commitment to family was an inspiration to him and his brother.
The young Nothnagels are always looking for new business opportunities. Nick said they would love to add locations in other communities and double the number of retail outlets in the upcoming years if the opportunities were right.