Popular convenience store under new ownership
By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
HOULTON — Not too many teenagers have a business named in their honor. But, 14-year-old Emily Simas is one of the precious few since her parents, Manuel and Robin Simas bought the former Ferris Qwik Stop at 135 Military St. last November.
“The challenge” is what Manuel Simas says motivated him to purchase the operation. But, with loyal customers like Jerry Adams, that shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Adams is a local businessman who is also the Hodgdon High School boys varsity basketball coach and a former town council chairman. He said he has been patronizing the business for more than three decades. “I always come in at dinner time and usually get a soda and pizza. And, they carry a lot of the items that people use each and every day. So, that’s a good thing.” 
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
LUNCH TIME — Assistant Manager Elaine Steeves rings up purchases for businessman Jerry Adams who purchased lunch and sundries at Emily’s Qwik Stop on Military St. “The people in here are wonderful and you rarely have to wait for service,” said Adams.
Peter Schools of Houlton is also a regular at Emily’s. “I’ve been coming in here quite a bit. The best thing is the chicken burger.” Although he was getting something else for his wife, he commented that he usually gets gas, cigarettes, lunch and some other things. “Everything is here. And, the help’s good.”
Adams agreed. “The people in here are wonderful and you rarely have to wait for service. That’s a big asset because you know you can get in and get out of here. The way the store is laid out is also another great thing because you can pick up things very quickly and very easily. I’ve been coming in here close to 35, 40 years. The inside is different now. They offer more as far as hot food items like pizza, hamburgers and hot dogs. And, it’s one of the best in the area.” 
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
FILL ‘ER UP — Emily’s Qwik Stop has a self-serve gas station and loyal followers. Dave Tucker said he likes “to keep it local” so he gets all his gas at Emily’s. Manuel and Robin Simas purchased the convenience store on Military St. last November that was previously known as Ferris Qwik Stop.
Simas and his wife also own the Linneus Corner Store. In Houlton, Simas said he is “trying to get stock back up. We’re just trying to draw the public in with specials and a variety of different products.” In addition to gasoline at competitive prices with other local dealers, the business offers a wide range of products including soda, beer, wood pellets, motor oil, spark plugs, fast food, desserts, cigarettes, candy, chips, dips and other snack foods, cereal, pet food and scratch-off lottery tickets.
Simas said he is “absolutely happy” about his new venture and he is spending more time in Houlton to make changes that he hopes residents are seeing and liking. As for his daughter, Emily, Simas said “she likes that Emily’s is named for her.
Elaine Steeves is the assistant manager who said the new “kids’ menu” offers specially sized portions like mini burgers, chicken fingers and popcorn chicken. Each come with a half portion of small fries. “Lunch time is busy and the popular items are pizza and chicken products.”
Although it is basically a self-serve gas station, Steeves said she or other staff will pump gas if a customer requests it. The store is open: Sunday 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Monday-Wednesday 5 a.m.-8 p.m.; and, Thursday-Saturday 5 a.m.-9 p.m.
