Spee-D Mart, Petersen Fuels, Inc.

12/16/2022

Thanks to the Village of Hampshire. It will be a difficult day. For me this is like the death of a family member. It's hard to explain, but I guess that gets the closest. Please consider doing business with us & not the big guys in Burlington & Genoa when you are out. It means so much! Oh, if you see Dad, tell him a story, or just say hello. It will mean everything to him & i also. He's a humble quiet guy, I know he's thinking a lot of my mom, grandparents Ralph, Bea, Klaus & all that have gone on now.
How lucky are we to have known all of you, had you as customers, had all our fun memories & jokes, shared our lives with each other, worked with you & become family. I am so lucky to get to work w/ my friends & kids & now my employees who are like my kids. Boy the stories I have, would make your eyes cross! Lol.
Thank for sticking with us through the price wars, newer & bigger stores in the area, ect. I love my job, my employees & customers dearly. I am the lucky one.
-Cori

PROCLAMATION

“Petersen Family Day”

December 16, 2022

WHEREAS, the Petersen family has sold fuel at the Hampshire Spee-D Mart location for over 50 years, starting first as a standalone full-service gas station in the 70s and later becoming one of northern Illinois’ first convenience stores; and

WHEREAS, the Petersen family, having a family-owned business, always put community first and engaged in the community by running the annual corn boil for over 30 years since before it was the C**n Creek Country Days corn boil, by running the Burlington Parade for over 25 years, and by actively participating in Chambers of Commerce, Business Councils, Planning Boards, VFWs, Scouts, Lions Club, Historical Societies, and Fire Departments for over 100 combined years; and

WHEREAS, the Petersen family plans to continue supporting community organizations as a way of showing thanks to so many for supporting their employees and business; and

WHEREAS, after 3 generations of family working in the business, along with so many beloved coworkers who were considered family as well, the Petersen family will be closing Spee-D Mart on December 16, 2022;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by Village President Mike Reid on behalf of the Village of Hampshire that December 16th, 2022, be proclaimed as “Petersen Family Day” in recognition of the family’s business success and strong participation in the community.

The Village of Hampshire further wishes the Petersen family well in whatever endeavors they move towards.

Signed and sealed this 15th day of December 2022.

12/12/2022

We have sold fuel at our Hampshire Spee-D Mart location for over 50 years. We have truly appreciated the loyal customers who have become friends over the years. As they say, all good things must come to an end. With a very heavy heart we will be closing our beloved Spee-D Mart on December 16, 2022.

Selling fuel at this location started first as a stand alone full service gas station in the 70’s. In the late 70’s we built the current building. This building housed our hardware store & in the front corner we still had full service fuel pumps. After a few years we heard about the convenience store trend. Spee-D Mart was born. Spee-D Mart was one of the first c-stores in the northern IL area. We were featured in a newspaper article about our part in this new industry.

We as a family owned business have always put community first. We have ran the corn boil since before it was the C**n Creek Country Days corn boil, over 30 years, ran the Burlington Parade for over 25 years, had positions in the Chambers, Business Councils, Planning Boards, VFW’s, Scouts, Lions, Historical Societies, Fire Departments for over 100+ combined years, etc. We will continue to support these organizations as a way of showing our thanks to so many for supporting our employees & our business.

Petersen Propane & later Petersen Fuels, has always been in the Petersen family, although it was Les & Phyllis who spearheaded the c-store business. After opening Spee-D, Burlington Oasis BP was opened in 1993 & Pete’s Castle Marathon in Genoa in 1996. We have had 3 generations of family work for us & continue to do so, along with so many beloved coworkers who we consider family as well.

Please join us to say goodbye to Spee-D Mart, throughout this week, we would love to see you. Also, thank you for continuing to support us at our other 2 stores in Burlington & the Marathon in Genoa.

We do love you & thank you with all our hearts!

-Les Petersen & Cori Petersen-Cork, our families & extremely special & loved employees