Sauk Rapids Gas Station Offers Discount With ‘Permit To Carry’

SAUK RAPIDS - A Sauk Rapids convenience store is offering a unique gas discount, in an effort to fight back against a rash of armed robberies.

The Shell gas station at 400 South Benton Drive posted a sign in their door earlier this week that says "Gas Discount for law enforcement, or people with proof of permit to carry, .10 cents off per gallon after 7:00 p.m. daily".

Just trying to bring it to people's attention that there's been some robberies going on around town. And, these guys are coming in with guns and knives and threatening our employees. It's pretty disconcerting. I just figured anything I can do to draw attention to the problem.

Owner Frank Schwagel says he's hoping the promotion will increase foot traffic in his store during the evening hours.

We've had to spend a lot of extra money on security, to try to keep an eye on the store during all hours of the day. I'm also paying people to keep an eye on the store independently. We're just hoping these guys get caught.

He says he just found out this (Tuesday) morning that someone posted a picture of the sign on Facebook, which is starting to go viral. He says so far the feedback from customers has been positive.

That Shell store has been robbed twice in the past three months.