Union Station, in the small town of Uniontown, population 267, has new owners.
The station has been the gathering place/gas station/convenience store in Uniontown for about 20 years, under the ownership of Susan and Ron Eldridge.
Ronni, 32, and Dane, 33, Clayton of rural western Bourbon County, purchased Union Station from the Eldridges, on April 1, 2019.
“We’ve always had the entrepreneurial spirit,” Ronni said. “This came up for sale. We’ve known the Eldridges for years.”
“It seemed like it would be a good investment for the community and our girls, ages 6 and 4,” Ronni said.
Both are graduates of Uniontown High School, Ronni in 2005 and Dane in 2004, and had attended school with the Eldridge’s daughters.
The best thing for the Clayton’s so far is the community, Dane said.
“It’s been great, especially in the morning,” Ronni said. “Friends and family, everybody knows everybody.”
The Claytons have no current plans to change the business.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Ronni said.
The phone number remains 620-756-4884.
The summer hours have taken effect and are 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Both continue to work other jobs and fill in shifts when needed at Union Station.
Dane works for Walmart.
“I do heating and air conditioning for Walmart,” Dane said. “My job is flexible.”
Ronni works for the Farm Service Agency in Fort Scott.
The two were working a shift Saturday evening so some employees could attend the Uniontown High School prom, just down the road.
Other employees are Schotze Griffiths, manager; Christy Pritchett, Tammy Davidson, Nicole Clayton, Candace Clayton, Danea Esslinger, and additional high school students.