Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, April 04, 2012

"We're Lynn's, we're local, we listen..."

Ringgold county marked the end of an era Friday, March 29 with the closing of Lynn's Sinclair at the corner of Highway 2 and Taylor Street in Mount Ayr.

In December 1988 Lynn and Kathy RINEHART and Rich and Donna ROUTH bought the two-bay full service gas station at the location from the Sierp Oil Company. The original structure had been built in 1954 by the Phillips Petroleum Company.

With RINEHART as manager, the station remained open as a full service station with oil changes and tire repair until October 1, 1989, when the station was closed and later demolished. A new, modern convenience store was built on the corner location, and exactly a year later, on October 1, 1990, Lynn's Texaco officially opened for business. The store was associated with the Texaco brand until 2003 when it became affiliated with the Sinclair brand.

In 2008 the RINEHARTS bought out Donna ROUTH'S interest to become full owners of the business.

Looking back on his quarter century in business, RINEHART fondly recalled many stories.

"Back in the glory days of pheasant hunting," he said, "we had a number of 'stars' walk through our doors."

He mentioned professional golfer Fuzzy Zoeller and sprint car champion Steve Kinzer as two examples.

Lynn's was also a favorite stop of former Iowa State basketball coach Larry Eustachy when he would pass through town on recruiting trips.

RINEHART also spoke with pride about a number of firsts associated with his business.

"We had the first canopy-covered gas island in the county," he said, "and the first ATM machine, too."

At one time, he said, Lynn's was the top lottery sales outlet in the state of Iowa, thanks in large part, he said, to Roberta CAMPBELLL'S winning of $100,000 in the lottery with a ticket purchased in his store.

RINEHART smiled as he recalled many of his now legendary advertisements.

"It all started with a Christmas ad," he said. "Alan [SMITH] came to the house and took my picture standing next to a full-size cardboard cutout." He said the advent of digital photography and Photoshop has greatly enhanced his creative choices.

He also recalled once when he set the price for premium gas one penny too high to create some buzz. "Gas was getting close to $2 per gallon," he said. "Premium should have been $1.99, but I set it at $2 and had to talk someone into buying premimum that day. Alan came and took a picture of the first day gas broke the $2 mark in the history of Ringgold county."

Since the announcement of the store's closing, RINEHART says he has received countless emails, calls and notes wishing him well and recalling great memories of Lynn's. Many have come from his several hundred employees from over the years.

To put some rumors to rest, RINEHART said the Casey's General Store company is not involved with the closing of Lynn's or obtaining the property. "I had heard the rumor so much I had to call them to ask if it was true," he said with a smile.

While Casey's showed some initial interest, he said, the property is too small for what Casey's had in mind.

So what’s next?

RINEHART simply said he's keeping his options open. After 25 years of 4 a.m. wake-ups, he's enjoying a few days off as he works with suppliers to clear the store of merchandise.

"I've had a couple offers," he said. "I'll find something to do."

Without a doubt, many Ringgold county residents and those just passing through will miss the friendly smile and creative wit RINEHART brought not only to the corner of Highway 2 and Taylor Street but also to the business community as a whole.

But all things must pass ... as stated in an addition to Lynn's favorite slogan:

"We're Lynn's, we're local, we listen, we're locking the door."

  Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2013