Friday morning, April 8, 2022, a brand new Allsup’s Market store in Sudan, was in the middle of its three-day Grand Opening, from Thursday April 7 thru Saturday, April 9.
Since Sudan does not have a grocery store, the Allsup’s Market has just about anything the community needs in food and other products.
At 10 a.m., two over-sized checks, in the amounts of $1.250 each, were donated by Yesway and Allsup’s to the City of Sudan’s “Loaf and Fishes Food Ministries”, to benefit the community, and to the Sudan Police Department for assistance with the community’s security.
“On behalf of all of us at Yesway, I want you to know how excited we are to be joining together with Allsup’s, one of the most iconic and beloved convenience store chains in the country,” said Tom Trkla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Yesway and Allsup’s Convenience Stores.
“We are honored that Barbara and Mark Allsup selected us to be the future custodian of their brand promise and legacy, which Lonnie and Barbara Allsup started over 63 years ago with the opening of their first store in 1956 in Roswell, New Mexico.
“We take this responsibility very seriously and pledge to all of Allsup’s loyal customers, that what makes Allsup’s so unique and special will not change.
“We look forward to getting to know you, to continuing to offer the amazing products and services you crave, including, of course, the world-famous Allsup’s burrito, and to building on Allsup’s legendary heritage by adding new and exciting customer benefits in the months and years to come,” he concluded.
Some history of the past
This is how the business began, according to its website:
“Lonnie and Barbara Allsup grew up in the small town of Morton, Texas (not too far south of Sudan).As high school sweet-hearts, they were married in 1950.
“After a few years in college, and a commitment to the Air Force, Lonnie was discharged and ready to begin a career in the grocery business. He acted on an opportunity to buy a small “drivein” grocery in Roswell, New Mexico in 1956.
“As the predecesor of the modern-day convenience store, a drive-in was open later hours, and seven days a week. It was fully stocked and well lit, and served a neighborhood,
“In addition to staple convenience store goods, such as bread, milk and cigarettes, there was a large display of fresh fruit in season, and a large display of soft drinks.
“Customers could even pick up cold watermelons on ice from a horse-watering tank in the parking lot!
“Lonnie and Barbara both worked in the store from opening to closing each day. Lonnie’s Drive-in, as it was named, had an open front, meaning the glass front of the building slid open like a garage, and merchandise was even displayed on the porch!
“Once inside, shoppers discovered that the store was exceptionally clean and efficiently laid out, so that you could get in and out of the store quickly.”
(This is the way the store’s website presents some of the stores’ early history).