Tanks N Tummies isn’t your average convenience store, it’s a coffee shop and gas station where the people of Kiester can fill up.

“Instead of calling it food and fuel, we call it Tanks N Tummies because you’re filling both your tanks and your tummies here,” said owner Thomas Simonson.

Simonson and his girlfriend, Shelly — now his wife — decided to move to Kiester from Milwaukee, Wis. about two years ago. Simonson wanted to be closer to his daughter Jena who was attending college Minnesota State University, Mankato at the time.

Simonson said there was a need for a convenience store after gas stations had recently closed in town. Tanks N Tummies opened in Kiester Feb 21 at 100 N. 1st St.

The coffee shop features a variety of seating including leather couches and chairs with enough seating for more than 30 people. Wireless Internet is available as well. However, Simonson said people in the community frequently pirate the Internet connection.

Simonson bought a used Subway oven to bake fresh bread for subs. Aside from subs, the Tanks N Tummies soups and pizza. They also bake fresh cinnamon rolls and cookies.

They also carry the basic convenience store items, like drinks and snacks.

Outdoor seating is also available during the summer. Since the gas station used to have a garage attached where there is now seating. The garage doors can still be opened during the summer.

Though Simonson said they’re not a bar, the shop is open for some sporting events. They have a large plasma screen television that was used recently to watch the Minnesota Twins one game playoff Tuesday and the Minnesota Vikings game Monday.

Simonson said it was a culture change to move to a small town where most people know much about each other and each business in the community.

While he said people who are passing through town or are visiting love the store, one of the biggest challenges is attracting the more traditional members of the community to the shop who aren’t used to the idea of a coffee shop.

“In the old community they drink coffee black. They drink it between 9:01 and 9:59. That’s all they do, so the coffee shop idea to the locals, they don’t really get it,” Simonson said.

The regular costumers have become like family, Simonson said.

“We now when they’re coming, we know what they want,” Simonson said. “Some of them will bend over backwards for you to help you out and some are even better.”

One positive aspect of that change was the cost of living in the Kiester area. Moving from Milwaukee, Simonson said he was surprised at the price of the house they bought in the area.

At the same time, Simonson and Shelly work out frequently and they’ve had to adapt to not living near a gym or health club. The two have exercise equipment in a back building.

Despite the adjustments to life in a small town, Simonson said the move and the new challenges have been enjoyable.

“Overall, it’s been really successful and rewarding,” Simonson said.