I am fortunate to live, in what many would consider, Paradise. A few minutes to the West of my home are some of the finest beaches, not only in Florida, but in all the world . White, sandy, beaches, as far as the eye can see. The beaches are the main reason why, each year, thousands of people vacation, relocate, and retire here. Tourists from all over the world are welcome with open arms.
A few minutes East of me is a place that’s NOT Paradise. I guess that makes it “Anti-Paradise”. Its not the reason thousands vacation, relocate, and retire here. In fact, if you are not from around here, you probably wont be welcome at this place. Tourists are barely acknowledged here, let alone welcomed. This is “OUR” place. The Pinellas Park Circle K!
At the Circle K, everyone knows everyone. At least it seems that way. The cashiers call you “Babe” and “Hun” and “Sweetie” They ask how you are doing, make small talk about life, ask what you have planned, and even tell you to have a good day. Early in the morning, it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy and wanted.
The daily regulars are people like James Roofing, Bobs’ Tree Service, Coastal Construction, and Willow Tree Nursery. Now we don’t remember the names of all those guys, but, we still know them. They come in the same time every morning for gas, coffee, soda (in a Polar Pop cup) and whatever warm delicacy has been spinning on the heated rollers since 4 AM. In fact, this month, Circle K has a tubular crustacean they call a “Sweet Thai Chili Roller Bite”. The guys from Bob’s Tree Service buy those little beauties for breakfast. They eat them as they are waiting in line to pay. Thankfully, they leave the store before we have to deal with the effects of what I am sure is a gastronomical disaster.
The “Polar Pop” is the big draw. Its a 44 ounce Styrofoam cup you can fill to the brim with your favorite soda. There are over 500 calories and 100 grams of sugar in a regular soda that size. That’s enough sugar to keep you high for about 3 days. The diet soda packs around 150mg of caffeine. That’s enough caffeine to keep you awake for about 3 days. Michael Bloomberg would hate the Polar Pop cup, but the guys at the Circle K? This is why they get up every morning!
You hear a lot of stuff at the Circle K. These days there is a lot of political talk, even in the early morning. They talk about our Governor, Rick Scott. They hate him. That’s pretty much universal. Of course, they talk about Trump and Cruz and Hillary. At times the talk is loud. It can be down right obnoxious. Everyone has an opinion. I actually heard a guy say he was for Ross Perot. I had to remind him that Perot wasn’t running. In fact, I wasn’t sure he was even still alive.
Folks talk allot about Social Security and Disability and their VA benefits. Its that kind of crowd. Everyone outside of the guys in the in the service vehicles seems to be on some kind of Government assistance. The Circle K folks don’t live week to week; they live month to month. You hear them complain about money, but they always seems to have enough to buy lottery tickets and beer and cigs. Lots of cigs. Before they can walk out the door they are lighting up and then standing next to their car scratching off their lottery ticket. I am always amazed how they can smoke with one hand and scratch off with the other. That takes real talent.
I noticed the Circle K now sells E-Cigs. Really? They also have craft beer, of all things! Some Executive at Circle K Corporate has obviously never been to Pinellas Park. This is Marlboro and Old Milwaukee country. Get those vaping things and craft beer out of here!
I hope you can plan a trip to the St. Petersburg, FL beaches soon. It’s a beautiful place. But, if you truly want to experience the local scene, drop by the Pinellas Park Circle K. However, if you aren’t from around here, be sure to back into a parking spot away from the building. If the locals see your New York or Michigan or New Jersey or Canadian license plate, you will get a stare colder than Antarctica!
The Lonesome Leaker 