U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren Visits Casey’s General Store

The Illinois congressman rang up customers and talked about the upcoming election during a NACS In Store event.

September 02, 2016

PLANO, Ill. – Stop by any convenience store and you’ll find a cross-section of customers, which is why NACS has been encouraging representatives and senators to participate in NACS In Store. This week, U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL) greeted customers at Casey’s General Store in Plano, Ill., the Daily Chronicle reports.

Hultgren manned the cash register and toured the kitchen, while discussing issues and concerns with Casey’s employees. “This is something I love to do, to get out and see what’s going on in the community, learn about different businesses, and hear from employees,” he said. “We heard [from NACS] that this is a program to allow congressmen to come in and tour, talk to some management but also with local staff, and get a chance to serve some customers.”

More importantly, Hultgren said, it’s a chance to “hear what’s working well, what are some of their frustrations that they’re facing, what are the challenges a store like this has to run, to be competitive, to really have what customers want and need.”

Hultgren often fields complaints about government regulations from local business owners. “Some common themes are frustration with the number of regulations, especially something like this where they try and be a one-stop shop, the challenges, all the [menu] labeling,” he said. “It might be that they have to have eight different menu labels throughout the store—literally daily changes because they might have different doughnut options or different sandwich options or specials during the day. And just to hear how challenging that is and costly that is and oftentimes, how the regulation is very punitive.”

On the same day as Hultgren’s visit to Casey’s, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) participated in a NACS In Store event at a Wesley Chapel RaceTrac store. “Our local businesses provide our community with many goods and services and help our local economy thrive. I am grateful to all the hard-working Floridians helping to make our communities great!” the congressman posted on his website.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement