No Snick(ering) here: Convenience store tops in candy sales

Max Simhiser (left), manager of the Pete's convenience store on Wall Street, and longtime employee Darlene Clements (right) pose with Snickers bars. During a recent 30-day period, the outlet outsold more than 30 of its fellow Pete's stores and won a party for its employees. (Ruth Campbell/Tribune)

Although Snickers are not her favorite, the thought of the candy bar probably now brings a smile to the face of Pump 'N Pete's store manager Max Simhiser.

In the last month, her store, at 1135 E. Wall St., sold 1,660 of the candy bars -- 34 1/2 cases -- earning her and the outlet's five employees a party. "We had people who didn't even like Snickers buy them," Simhiser said, adding she told customers they could give them away, or use them as stocking stuffers. "... Probably two-thirds of our customers -- people we see every day -- bought one every day."

Pete's has more than 30 stores, Simhiser said. A store in Miami, Okla., got close, but Simhiser had confidence her shop would at least place second in the competition, because she was buying boxes like they were going out of style. "The day before the contest ended, we had sold every single Snickers out of the store," she said.

"We even beat out the big stores in Oklahoma," she added. "We received a prize that we get to have a big party for all the employees to share in."

Additionally on Monday and Tuesday, store employees set out baked goods and invited customers and vendors to partake. "The baked goods were our idea," Simhiser said.

Red Page, from Red's Trash Service, purchased dozens of Snickers. "He was our top supporter. We're going to do something extra special for him," Simhiser said.