Businessman Jeff Lanier opens LocStop Travel Center in Dawson
Staff Photos: Lucille Lannigan
By Carlton Fletcher
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DAWSON — In business, those who are quickest to action — the ones who strike while the iron’s hot — are usually the ones who are most successful.
Albany businessman Jeff Lanier, who has left his mark on businesses throughout the region, reproved that axiom Monday when he held the grand opening for his LocStop Travel Center at 735 Forrester Parkway here.
The center, which includes 60 parking spaces for the big rigs that travel through the area, eight lanes for truck fueling, 5 pumps for auto fueling, private showers, laundry and a lounge for truckers, a 3 Squares diner for hungry travelers, an RV dump station and a disco ball (?!), has already generated a lot of excitement in this small community 25 miles outside Albany.
“I’ve been looking to open a business west of Albany for a year or so, and this is a great location in an underserved community,” Lanier said after the hoopla surrounding the ribbon-cutting for the LocStop Center. “I’d made a move earlier that fell through, but (fellow businessman) Milan Patel suggested this location and I liked it. He has a couple of businesses nearby, the Dairy Queen and a liquor store, I believe.
“We had a soft opening Friday, and every day has been a little bit better. It just takes a while for people to realign their habits.”
One thing, Lanier said, that has not needed realignment is the warm reception he’s gotten from the community.
“It’s just been phenomenal — from the city employees, to the chamber of commerce, to the mayor, to city and county officials, to the citizens,” the businessman said. “Everyone’s been so kind. It makes me feel better about the decision to invest in the community.”
Lanier said he’s “looking at additional sites right now,” as he considers expansion.
“I don’t ever want to put limits on what we do,” he said.
And, about that disco ball?
“I just thought that would be a fun touch,” he laughed. “You have to have a little fun along the way.”
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