UPDATE: Planning Commission Approves Plan for St. Cloud Kwik Trip

ST. CLOUD - The first Kwik Trip convenience store in St. Cloud is one step closer to opening.  The St. Cloud Planning Commission unanimously approved the request to rezone the property at the corner of Highway 23 and 14th Avenue Southeast.

Kwik Trip plans to demolish the church that sites on that property now and build a new 7,150 square foot store, with fuel and diesel pumps, and two drive-thru car washes.

Company spokesman Wade DuMont says they're hoping to start construction sometime next year.  He says Kwik Trip is a family-owned business based out of LaCrosse, Wisconsin.  According to their website, it began in 1965 in Eau Claire, and has grown to over 475 stores in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota.

DuMont says they've already held a neighborhood meeting, with only four people attending.  He says they didn't have any major concerns.

DuMont was asked by the commission about wages, he didn't give a specific figure but says the owners share 40 percent of the profits with all of their employees at the end of the year.

The request to rezone the property still needs the approval of the St. Cloud City Council before it's a done deal.