Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores Shows Oklahoma Roots

Emily Wood, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Full-service gas stations started phasing out in the 1970s when one Oklahoma family decided self-service could save their company, and their customers, money.

Many have now come to expect the convenience of a place Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores. Customers can get a tank of gas, a drink, a snack and maybe even a trinket or two for the kids.

But, the Love family has put a lot of work into building the stores, and creating one-stop-shopping for travelers.

It all started close to 50 years ago in Oklahoma. The Love family opened the first store in Watonga.

"I worked at Love's through the summers in high school and college," Love's Communication Director Jenny Love Meyer said.

Meyer grew up visiting the stores with her father and it's a practice the family still keeps today. They oversee a network of 275 locations nationwide.

"The idea we are going to be meeting and talking with our team members is pretty much ingrained in us," Meyer said.

Many have been inside a Love's, but haven't seen its headquarters. The national company is based in Oklahoma. It is the place where Love's traders determine how much consumers will pay at the pump. There is one man who makes the final decisions.

"We don't produce oil, we don't refine oil, we buy from the big, major companies," said Love's Transportation Director Brent Bergevin. "So, whatever they charge us is what we have to pay."

Bergevin said the price customers pay depends on the market price. He claims there's really no way to know when to get the best deal.

"If I had a secret I would share it with you," said Bergevin. "There is no really secret."

But Myer does have a family secret she said has kept the company successful for so many years.

"Customer service, being there for our people and our customers, that's a big part of it," Myer said.

Myer said the company is on track to add another 20 locations in 2011.