In 2024, the Lake St. Louis Circle K opened right down the street from QuikTrip. QuickTrip is a Liberty High School favorite.

The Lake St. Louis QuikTrip has had a strong grip on Liberty since the store opened. From its wide selection of fountain drinks, to its kitchen with many options, there isn’t any doubt that QuikTrip could be the most visited gas station by both Liberty students and staff members.

“It’s iconic,” Aidan Brown (12) said. “I like the taquitos and the Big Q.”

However, since the Circle K opening, this leaves a couple big questions: Is Circle K worth going to? Could Circle K compete with, or even overtake QuikTrip? 

To answer the first question, there are a few perks to Circle K, one big one being the price difference compared to QT. A great example of this would be the fountain drinks. At QuikTrip, the price of a large foam fountain drink is currently $1.79. The same size at Circle K currently stands at $0.99. Logan Gannon (12) mentions the prices.

“The prices are good,” Gannon said.  

Circle K also has an interesting checkout system. Instead of going to a cashier, or using a scanner to check out yourself, Circle K makes it even more convenient. All you have to do is place your items on a tray, and self scanners detect what items you have without you having to click any buttons. 

Even though the prices do seem to be better at Circle K, and the no cashier checkout is a plus to some people, QuickTrip appears to still be the number one choice for many people. The reasoning may be more than just the food and drink options. According to Preston Hooten (12), he thinks the environment is what makes it better.

“I like the environment more,” Hooten said. “Everytime I go someone I know is there.”

Not only is QT lively, but it also may resonate memories with other individuals. “I’ve always gone to QuikTrip as a kid,” said Gannon.

Frankly, it does not seem like Circle K is going to overtake QuikTrip anytime soon, especially for the Eagles. With Quiktrip’s quality, community, and even memories, it has a strong grip on Liberty. And although Circle K may be able to break that in the distant future, QuikTrip is not letting go anytime soon.