As Baker students returned to the Baldwin City campus for the fall term, many were surprised to find “the Kwik” in a different location. All summer, Baldwin City residents have been dealing with the difficulty that comes with being a one-gas-station-town following the closing of the Santa Fe Market, which doubled as a Phillips 66 gas station, in June.

According to a press release issued during the summer by Kwik Shop Inc. of Hutchinson, Kansas, Kwik Shop purchased the Santa Fe Market at 522 Ames Street intending to move into and remodel the building.

The new location allows the Kwik Shop to offer upgraded services in Baldwin City, now including a car wash, more fueling pumps and more parking spaces.

The Santa Fe Market officially closed its doors on June 17. After a 45-day renovation process, the Baldwin City Kwik Shop officially moved across the street to the Santa Fe Market building. The owner of Moose’s Backwoods BBQ, a tenant business of Santa Fe Market, will continue operation beside the relocated Kwik Shop.

Prior to the move, the Kwik Shop had been planning to expand at its old location, which had only four fueling stations and limited parking spaces. Back in October, the Baldwin City Council approved Kwik Shop’s request for an expansion to the lot west of the old location. As a result of the relocation, that expansion will no longer occur.

Besides Kwik Shop, the nearest gas stations for Baldwin City residents are at least 10 miles away, with one in Edgerton and one in Wellsville.

While no official statement has been made concerning the old location at 600 Ames Street, there is a sign in front of the building stating the location is currently available for leasing. There is also a “for sale” sign on the adjacent property purchased by the Kwik Shop last October.

Kwik Shop employee and BU senior Kharon Brown says that he likes the new location.

“I like it a lot,” he said. “For the customers, it is a lot more spacious, but it is not really a completely new store.”

But not all Baker students completely understand or particularly like the change.

Senior Jaime Hodge said she does not like the change.

“I absolutely do not like the new location. I have been at Baker for almost four years and it has always been in the same location, and I don’t really see the purpose of the new location,” she said.

Echoing Hodge’s statement, sophomore Jesse Hutmacher said he is not a fan of the move.

“I don’t even know what happened,” he said. “I just pulled up into town and saw it was torn down. That’s not OK. I survive on the Kwik Shop. Now I guess I will endanger my life crossing the street for a late-night candy bar.”