Sara Roggenbeck, manager of the Save-A-Lot store on US-131 said the staff members are doing everything they can to make information available that the store is remaining open and is accessible during road construction. Photo by Heidi Berden

"We're doing everything we can to make information available that the store is remaining open," said Sara Roggenbeck, manager of the Save-A-Lot store and gas station that's owned by her father, Dale.

The family owned business that's been in operation here for the past six years is located on US-131 about four miles north of the County Road 612/M-72 intersection, near the endpoint of phase one in the total 11.29-mile construction project.

"The biggest impact so far has been on the gas station -we do rely to a certain extent on sales from summer traffic that's heaviest from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day," the Save-A-Lot manager said.

There's no doubt that the volume of traffic on US-131 through Kalkaska is considerably lighter than its usual summertime levels. That's primarily due to travelers using the detour route to bypass the construction area.

Save-A-Lot management hopes that its long-standing policy of offering "the best" gas prices locally will help lure those summertime travelers, and fulltime area residents, from the detour route back onto US-131 "Typically, our gas is cheaper than other places in town, and we're trying to work within our limits to keep it that way," Roggenbeck said.

As gas prices soar, those few less cents on each gallon can add up quickly. It's worth spending a few more minutes traveling through the construction zone to save a little -or a lot, she believes.

In addition to lower gas prices, Save-A-Lot is offering a variety of specials in an effort to entice customers to travel through the US- 131 construction zone to shop at the store.

"We've implemented five percent discount days on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and are offering specials on selected merchandise on each of the days," Roggenbeck said. "We're also continuing daily sales on various items."

A total of 22 full and parttime employees help provide friendly service to Save-A-Lot customers. That's an important aspect of the business, the manager said.

"Many of our staff members have been with us since we opened -it's really a great family of employees, and we're proud to be part of the community," she said.

That Save-A-Lot family hopes to continue its role as a contributor to the local economy -now, while construction is in full swing, and even more so when US- 131 has a fresh, smooth surface.

"The road certainly needed work. We're aware of the problems, just like everyone who lives and drives around here, and it appears that the crews are working very hard and doing a great job," Roggenbeck said.

"We just want to remind everyone that US-131 is open and accessible. You can still stay on it and drive through to Save-A-Lot and the other businesses."

The entire 11.29-mile stretch of the $8.5 million project should be completed by early November. Phase one, from the intersection of US-131 and County Road 612 in Kalkaska to Twin Lake Road, is scheduled for completion in July. Following that, work begins on phase two, from Twin Lake Road north to Elder Road in Antrim County near Mancelona.

Other businesses and service providers in the effected area are the focus of upcoming stories in the Leader & Kalkaskian US- 131 construction series.