One of the busiest places in Adams is Corky's Corner, a convenience store and gas station. It has been owned by Corky and Judy Krebsbach since 1981. They have 11 part- time employees to keep their mom and pop store running smoothly seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

"Sunday mornings this is a meeting place. People stop in for coffee and rolls. Dunkin' Donuts supplies us with rolls and we also make breakfast sandwiches," Corky said.

There is not a lot of seating room available at Corky's, it is after all a convenience store. Two booths face the south wall and they can fill up quickly with customers.

School children stop in for snacks after school. The kids like to purchase slices of Piccadilly Pizza, pop and chips.

Baskin and Robbins ice cream cakes and Geneva Meats are for sale here too.

Corky's Corner will no longer be affiliated with Texaco. Now they are a Shell station. The Shell logo is on the employee's denim shirts along with the Corky's Corner logo.

The Krebsbachs enjoy running their mom and pop store. They greet customers by name and dish out good natured ribbing to suppliers and customers. Corky opens the store every morning at 6 a.m. He is at the store every day except Thursdays and takes every other weekend off. Besides the convenience store, he farms 300 acres near Myre, Iowa. He also raises hogs on his property located two miles from Adams.

"I started out as a mechanic in town. The biggest changes I have seen in the business is the way things are paid for. People use more debit and credit cards," Corky said.

Running a convenience store like Corky's the employees have to be on their toes and card customers, especially if they want to purchase cigarettes or 3.2 beer.

"We pound this into their heads," Corky said, "The one thing I don't like about running a business is the bad checks we get. It gets aggravating."

The Krebsbach are united as a family to keep their business running. Corky's mother, Del Krebsbach comes into clean the pizza ovens. Their three daughters, Melissa 26, Erin, 22 and Ashley, 21, all helped out at the store when they lived at home. They also have a 12-year-old son, John, who is a fifth grader at Sacred Heart.

"I like to visit with a variety of people. I have been in town for 29 years. I like being around the local business people in town. I enjoy it here," Corky said.

Sheila Donnelly can be reached at 434-2233 or by e-mail at :mailto:newrooms@austindailyherald.com