At first glance, the Aberdeen Pit Stop in Aberdeen, South Dakota, might not seem like a gathering place of the community, but the store has become just that. Dave Wisdom, the majority owner, had a vision that the store could become a welcome addition to the northeastern part of Aberdeen, as manufacturing plants and other businesses pushed the town’s growth in that direction. “The location of the store was key to our purchase of it,” said Joe Hoffert, one of Aberdeen Pit Stop’s six owners. The Aberdeen location is one of a handful of Pit Stops in the area.

The store used to be a service station called Louie’s, and many of the locals still call it that even though 70% to 80% of the store has been remodeled, said Hoffert.

The community has embraced the store, which was remodeled in 2017. “They love it,” Hoffert said. “The reception has been great by the locals.” To foster that connection, the owners encourage the managers to serve on community boards and committees. “We want the area to know we care about them and what they care about,” he said.

The heart of a convenience store is often its foodservice, and the Aberdeen Pit Stop is no exception. The fresh food is run by the local Hot Stuff Pizza brand and includes pizza, breakfast sandwiches and burritos, sandwiches and appetizers like mozzarella sticks, chicken nuggets, onion rings and wings. “We mix the Hot Stuff menu with some salads, parfaits and fresh fruit we get from another vendor for our grab-and-go case,” Hoffert said.

To accommodate the demand from customers, the owners added an addition with around 20 to 25 seats as part of the remodel. “We saw a lot of people standing around eating,” Hoffert said. The dining area has proven to be a good investment, as a constant flow of people use the seating area. “We wanted to develop a place for people to come sit and have lunch,” added Debi Stoltman, another owner.

Continue reading “How Aberdeen Pit Stop Embraces Its Community” in the October 2025 issue of NACS Magazine.