MID-COUNTY OF WAVERLY
801 Pacifi c Ave, Waverly, MN • (763) 658- 4662
After 43 years
and seven months,
Mark Karels has re-
tired as the owner
of Mark’s Service in
Waverly.
He sold the busi-
ness – including a
car wash, gas sta-
tion, and conve-
nience store – to
Mid-County Coop
eff ective June 21.
Mid-County
has
been
serving
the
Mark Karels recently sold Mark’s Service in Waverly to
Mid-County Coop. Pictured are: store manager Missie Waverly area for
Beckmann, Mid-County Coop General Manager Bill many years, and
Reimers, Giny Karels, Mark Karels, and Waverly Mayor
General Manager Bill
Connie Holmes.
Reimers said he is
looking forward to the coop’s continued community involvement.
Although much of the business is staying the same, customers
may notice a few small changes. The new name, for instance, will be
Mid-County of Waverly. Also, since the Tesoro brand is being phased
out nationwide, the gas station will be rebranded sometime in the
near future.
“Compliments to Mark for running a good business,” Reimers said.
“We plan to continue to operate as Mark did, as a successful con-
venience store. We’re keeping all the employees, and just building
upon Mark’s successes.”
Karels has deep roots in the Waverly area. He grew up three miles
south of the city limits, and currently lives in town, right next to his
former business.
“Mark Karels has been and is a leader in the community, whether
Missie Beckmann
Store Manager
on city council, as fi re chief, or as owner of Mark’s,” Waverly Mayor
Connie Holmes noted. “You can always count on him to participate
in every city event in a big way.”
Karels and his wife, Virginia (who goes by “Giny”), recently pur-
chased 10.3 acres south of Waverly. They’re looking into either re-
modeling the home that’s on the property or building a new one.
Either way, Karels expects the project will keep him plenty busy for
the fi rst couple years of his retirement.
Although he’s excited about retirement, Karels said he will miss
many of his customers, and he is grateful for their loyalty over the
years.
“It takes customers to keep a business going,” he commented.
For Mid-County Coop, the opportunity to purchase the gas sta-
tion, car wash, and convenience store in Waverly was an ideal fi t.
Mid-County already has a bulk fuel business in Waverly, having pur-
chased Padden Oil Company in 2000 and Howard Lake/Waverly Oil
in 2003.
“We are happy that [Karels] has sold the station to such a reputa-
ble company,” Holmes noted. “Looking forward, we know that Mid-
County will be an equally valued member of the Waverly business
community.”
Mid-County Coop is locally owned and operated in Cologne, a
community that’s similar to Waverly in many ways. They are both
rural with strong agricultural districts, and they are similar in size.
The 2016 population estimate was 1,598 for Cologne, and 1,412 for
Waverly.
“Waverly is growing quickly, with nearly 80 new homes built in the
last two years,” Holmes commented.
In 2019, Waverly will celebrate its 150th anniversary. The commu-
nity has attracted many residents due to housing, schools, and rec-
reational opportunities.
COME SEE US FOR
DIESEL, BAIT AND
SO MUCH MORE.
LOCATED RIGHT
OFF HWY 12 IN
WAVERLY!
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much more!
801 Pacifi c Ave • Waverly, MN • (763) 658-4662 • midcountywaverly.com
Hours: Mon. - Fri. 5:30 am - 10 pm • Sat. 6 am - 10 pm • Sun. 7 am - 9 pm
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