Patten man realizes dream of business

Pioneer Times photo/Joseph Cyr

PATTEN — When Cole Lane graduated in the spring of 2015 from Katahdin High School, like many of his peers, he figured the next step was to head off to college to get an education before beginning his career in business.

But sometimes an opportunity presents itself that is just too good to pass up.

Such was the case for Lane when a local business that had sat vacant for nearly 15 years was offered up for sale. At the time it became available, Lane had yet to graduate and was just 17 years old.

“I was getting ready to go to business school, but this came along earlier than we thought it would,” he said. “It was not expected. The opportunity just came along.”

Lane operates the business with his parents Keith and Shelley Lane, while Terri Conklin serves as the business manager. The store opened Dec. 21, 2015, and a full service center and 24-hour towing operation was added this past spring.

Lane said he expected to follow in his father’s footsteps and eventually go to work in the logging industry. In fact, he does spend time working in the woods, heading out in the early morning hours, before coming to the service center to work on vehicles. But as he is quickly finding out, being a business owner can be a round-the-clock type of occupation. 

Pioneer Times photo/Joseph Cyr

Located at 199 South Patten Road, K and C Quik Stop is a convenience store featuring fresh dough pizzas, hamburgers, french fries, subs and sandwiches, as well as breakfast items like omelets, eggs and breakfast pizza. Patrons can dine inside the convenience store at one of the rustic picnic tables set up or sit outside the store.

During the mornings, gasoline is a full-service station, with attendants pumping gas each week day morning until 11 a.m.; as well as Friday nights and weekends.

“We get a lot of older people come in the mornings because they enjoy that we pump their gas for them,” Cole said.

Situated on ITS 81, K and C Quik Stop is ideally situated to cater to ATV riders and snowmobilers looking to fill their tanks, or their bellies before getting back on the trails.

“This past winter was slow, because we didn’t have the snow that we usually do, so the snowmobile traffic was down,” Lane said. “Business is growing steadily.”

Since Lane was just 17 when he purchased the business, he had to wait until turning 18 before he could add cigarettes to the business. Because of his age, the business is also unable to sell alcohol.

The automotive shop and towing business has also grown steadily since it was added to the mix. Along with Lane, two part-time mechanics are on-hand for repairs, seven-days a week for heavy trucks and automobiles. The towing business can handle all types of vehicles, including tractor trailers and also offers 24-hour roadside assistance by calling 267-5981.

“We’ll work on anything that runs,” Lane said.

K and C Quik Stop is open Mondays-Fridays from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call 528-4400 or visit them on Facebook.