Kountry Korner to reopen with modern look, same services

story by Senior Investigative Reporter Shannon Taylor

Dresden’s Kountry Korner, gas station and restaurant, was destroyed by the tornado that swept through Dresden Dec. 10, 2021. Business owners Mike and Kris McCaslin spoke with the Press on their progress.

Rebuilding started on June 1, 2022, which was when they were first able to get materials. Mike stated that from the road it looks like the building went up really quickly, but there is still a lot that needs to be done on the inside of the building. “It looks good from the outside and from the inside, but there’s still quite a few things to do.”

The McCaslin’s stated that they have not run into any problems, however, they, like many others in the area have run into problems with materials and contractors which have caused delays. Mike stated that the floors were about 30 days behind schedule and that without those put in, that they haven’t been able to do a whole lot.

The McCaslin’s stated that a lot of the employees that were there previously will be coming back and also that when they open up they want to be able to offer a good quality product and customer service and that after they get everything in line with set-up, they would be doing a ribbon-cutting a few weeks after they open.

Mike wanted to emphasize that “We’re opening back up and we’re offering the same services. We will have open ceilings, open duct work on the air conditioners and a little bit more of a modern look. The building was over 25 years, so it will be a newer, fresher look with the same services.”

Along with the updates on the inside, which will also include an extra cooler space, the outside will also have a newer appearance. The gasoline canopy, which previously was a standard vinyl covering on the canopy, will now be backlit and there will be new LED lights for a brighter parking lot.

There are some concerns about inflation and the nationwide diesel shortage. With prices of food going up as well as the supply of foods available, the owners plan on meeting with chefs and keeping their prices in line as best they can when dealing with increases and shortages.

The McCaslin’s have their clientele at the forefront of everything they are doing as far as rebuilding and reopening, and they want to make sure that they keep their competitive prices while maintaining the quality that customers have counted on. “We have always had quality portions at a good price, and we want to keep that quality and serving portions as close to what it was as possible

The McCaslin’s anticipate that the building will be finished before Christmas, however, it will take them a couple of weeks before they will actually open because they will need to set everything up, price everything and get restocked. “Ideally, we can get open by January 1^st. It’s going to be close.”

Many residents in Dresden will be pleased to hear about the reopening as the Press has talked with multiple people that have been anticipating their reopening because of their quality service and convenience. “They have missed” is what the majority has stated. Now it looks like residents won’t have to wait much longer.