Representatives from the Osage County Economic Development Corporation, the Osage County Commission, Osage County E (Entrepreneurship)-Community, Emporia State University Kansas Small Business Development Center, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and NetWork Kansas recently welcomed Joyce Lacey, owner of the Circle L Convenience Store, Melvern, into the world of entrepreneurship.

Lacey, who is also Melvern’s mayor, opened the new convenience store at 218 NW Emporia St. in Melvern on Oct. 17. Lacey participated in the Osage County E-Community, which provided $45,000 in start-up funds for Circle L Convenience Store, LLC.

The store’s location will make it easily accessible for visitors to nearby Melvern Lake. Open 6 a.m to 10 p.m. daily, the store offers fuel, groceries, deli case with meats, cheeses and salads, beer and beverages, lottery tickets, and a gift shop.

Participating in the Nov. 25 reception at the store were, back row, from left, Tom Byler ESU Emporia State University Kansas Small Business Development Center, Erik Pedersen NetWork Kansas, county commissioners Gaylord Anderson and Ken Kuykendall, Rick Bryan, Bank of Osage City, Jeff Clark, Lyndon Building Materials, Chris Cole, Lyndon State Bank, Jim Franz, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Melvern Lake; front, Kerri Davis, Flowers on the Trail, Marian Burns, of Burns, Burns, Walsh and Walsh, Dee Robinson, of Melvern, Stephanie Watson, Osage County Economic Development, Joyce Lacey, owner, and Cathryn Houghton, Osage Realty. Watson presented Lacey with a bouquet designed by Flowers on the Trail floral design studio.

The new store is hosting a Christmas open house Friday and Saturday, showcasing its gift shop and offering samples and giveaways. For more information about Circle L Convenience Store, stop by to visit or call 785-549-3335.

Photo thanks to Osage County Economic Development.