Casey's Store Will Be Open 24 Hours, Creates New Jobs

A Neligh convenience store plans to expand its hours and is creating more jobs in the process.

Casey’s General Store, located at the intersection of Highways 275 and 14, will soon be open 24 hours a day. The expanded hours mean the company will be hiring more employees, according to manager Gloria Dennis.

“I anticipate more than two new positions will be filled,” Dennis said. “There has to be two people in the store, so we will be adding at least two more employees - probably more than that - by being open 24 hours a day.”

Dennis said the exact date Casey’s will be open 24 hours will depend on hiring and training new employees. She said applications are still being accepted for the positions.

Besides having gas available 24 hours, the sub station and kitchen will also be open at all hours, Dennis said. 

According to a 2012 survey from the state of Nebraska, more than 6,000 vehicles pass by the Neligh location on a daily basis. Highway 275 has 3,410 vehicles - 385 trucks - going through Neligh while Highway 14 has 2,625 vehicles (275 trucks) each day.

Neligh Economic Development Director Greg Ptacek said he was excited about Casey’s expanding its hours and its staff in Neligh.

“It’s great to see more and more business expanding in Neligh. This expansion should have a positive impact on Neligh’s quality of life,” Ptacek said. “I’ve read several studies that indicate that millennials don’t fit into the 9 to 5 mold. It will be nice to have a business that can accommodate those who want a sandwich, milk or pop after 11 p.m.” 

Dennis said expanding the hours was a corporate decision, but she wasn’t surprised by the expansion.

“We’re obviously busy enough already that the company wants us to be open 24 hours,” Dennis said. “We have a lot of truckers traveling through, and we hope to capture some of that market in the overnight hours. Our store is extremely busy now, so we’ll see how being open 24 hours affects things."