The Gas Hole – formerly Hwy 63 Pit Stop – is under new ownership.
Lanny Cline and April Aubuchon took ownership of the business, at 6923 S. U.S. 63, May 15. The pair purchased “The McCloud Center” and 116 storage units south of the gas station May 2.
Aubuchon, 49, grew up in the small town of Ware, Missouri, on the outskirts of Hillsboro. She attended Grandview High School before spending a stint at several different jobs. Aubuchon got into the convenience store industry in 1998, working in a management role at her hometown Casey’s then at Site Oil in St. Louis until 2005. Seeking a more stable life, she transitioned to a corporate job but found it unfulfilling for her entrepreneurial spirit.
In 2011, she opened Kaleidoscope Consignment in Pacific, Missouri, a resale store that would eventually birth Kaleidosmok, a vape store. At its peak, Aubuchon operated five Kaleidosmok locations before selling one to an employee and consolidating to two stores in Rolla and Pacific.
Not one to rest on her laurels, Aubuchon also ventured into real estate, designing houses and becoming a top agent in her office. Her latest endeavor before acquiring The Gas Hole was opening “Bad Habits,” a liquor store in Rolla. Now, she is excited to bring her innovative ideas and business acumen to Houston.
“I love the vibe that Houston brings,” said Aubuchon. “The best part is how appreciative the community is of this new business venture.”
Cline, 44, of Success, graduated from Licking High School in 1998. After high school, Cline served in the military for eight years, including three overseas tours. Following his service, he established Cline’s Flooring, a business that has operated since 2005.
Cline and Aubuchon, who are engaged, are planning a fall wedding. The two temporarily reside in Rolla while they are building a house on their 176-acre farm in Success. Aubuchon has two daughters, Kelly and Ali, and Cline has two daughters, Maggie and Jazmine.
The Gas Hole operates with six pumps and offers a variety of services and products that make it a unique stop for locals and travelers alike. The building’s deli features a Wednesday lunch special and an expanding breakfast selection available from 5 a.m. to midmorning. Customers can enjoy bulk frozen items like frog legs, fish, fried mushrooms and chicken strips, along with Hunt Brothers Pizza and Master Donuts. The Gas Hole offers 87 octane and diesel fuel.
“It’s an ongoing joke that with every order placed through our vendors there will be new products added,” said Aubuchon.
With expanded hours (5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday), the station aims to serve the community better. Additional perks include free ice with any purchase, and lottery tickets.
Aubuchon and Cline’s vision for The Gas Hole and their storage units business, “Hwy 63 Storage,” is one of growth and community engagement. The storage unit facility features 116 units ranging from 6’ x 12’ to 10’ x 20’. For more information go to www.hwy63storage.com.
“We truly appreciate the very warm welcome to the community from other businesses and our growing customer base, and we are excited to continue growing and serving this community better and better over the years!”
BEWARE! May want to ask these “business” people why they would go into a furniture store, purchase new custom cowhide furniture for $3600, load it up in their trailer and then charge their credit card back weeks later and refuse to return the furniture.
They stole from a small town family-owned business and think they are above the law.
Someone better help Lanny out, he’s in for a rude awakening with this con artist.