Josie Johnson was a regular customer at 36 Lyn Refuel Station in Minneapolis for 13 years before she became the store’s manager in 2022. 

“My son practically grew up in the store. Lonnie [McQuirter, store owner] was always there to scoop him up when we came in, let him behind the counter, play Matchbox cars with him … there was always someone working at 36 Lyn who cared about us,” she said. “I was at a crossroads in my career—I have a background in social work, education and low-income advocacy—and when I interviewed at 36 Lyn, I told Lonnie, ‘I want to be the person for someone that you guys always were for me.’” 

She spoke with NACS about:

What the convenience industry means to her

We are that constant for the community. We open early and close late. We are that reliable destination that’s here with your coffee every day, no matter what. To be that for someone, to be the place that has everything they need—that’s what convenience means. It’s so meaningful to work in this industry and be the person who can always deliver or just put a smile on someone’s face so that they walk out of the store happy. 

People will always need convenience stores, so I try to think about what I can do with that opportunity. You are the one setting someone up for success after they leave your store, whether they’re going to work in the morning or starting a road trip—whatever it is they’re on their way to do, they come to us for what they need to make their day better. 

A meaningful moment at work

We have a very diverse demographic in our area of south Minneapolis and we have a large Somali customer base. When I first started, the Muslim holiday Eid—which marks the end of Ramadan—came around, and I wanted to learn about its significance. I asked customers what Eid meant to them, and they told me with so much fervor and excitement because someone had actually even asked. They told me about how the prophet Muhammad would break his fast with a date, and we carry Medjool dates in our store. We also carry sesame cookies and Ethiopian coffee, which they also said reminded them of home. After that, they would bring us plates of food after sundown and want to celebrate with us too. I’ve now learned to speak a couple phrases of Somali. When you speak to a child in their language who isn’t expecting it, their face really lights up! It shows you care about them, and it was really special to me that they wanted to share their culture with me. 

Why she would encourage others to work in convenience

I would challenge people to forego the status quo. This is so much more than working at a gas station. We are a family and a strong community, and there is so much gratitude in all my everyday interactions. You can have a huge impact on someone’s life, even just by being there as a smiling face. It’s magical.  
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Do you have a frontline worker that showcases why convenience jobs are great jobs? We want to hear about them. Submit candidates for Faces of the Industry by emailing news@convenience.org.