News : John's Qwik Stop celebrates Grand Opening with ribbon cutting

A big crowd gathered to help John Ketchen celebrate the grand opening of JQS/A & W/Godfather's. Ketchen's family was among the audience and his granddaughter, Marley, loved Rooty, the A & W Bear. Scores of local residents, business leaders, school officials and even many members of the Vinton-Shellsburg Marching Band, gathered at John's Qwik Stop on Thursday morning for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the new building and the new A & W / Godfather's Pizza restaurant area. Owner John Ketchen briefly spoke to the crowd, thanking the local contractors for their work on the project. He also thanked former owner John Anderson for giving him the opportunity to purchase the business 20 years ago. Ketchen then led the crowd in a root beer toast to the community. Mayor John Watson cut the ribbon, and thanked both Ketchen and Anderson for their years of giving back to the Vinton community. During this week, JQS will donate 10 percent of restaurant sales to a different organization each day. Next Thursday, Sept. 22, from 4-8 p.m., there will be live music, free keg beer, activities, drawings for prizes, including JQS gift cards. There will also be appearances by "Rooty,"� the A & W bear mascot, throughout the week. Daily donations will go toward: Sept. 16-17: VS Schools Sept. 18-19: Virginia Gay Hospital Sept. 20: Vinton Palace Theatre Sept. 21: Vinton Parks and Rec Sept. 22: Vinton Police Department Sept. 23: Vinton Area Ministerial Association John's Qwik Stop has been located on C Avenue since the 1970s. In 1996, John Ketchen purchased John's Qwik Stop from the original John, Mr. John Anderson. The JQS website thanks the community for helping the business succeed for so long with these words: "John's Qwik Stop has been blessed with loyal customers. It is because of our great customer base that this little store has been able to serve the community for over 20 years and be able to give back to Vinton, whether through the school activity sponsorships, local recreational department sponsorships and other various service organization fund-raisers. We want to thank you, THANK YOU for being the best customers! Without your patronage we wouldn't be the store we are today."� See more photos HERE.