Happy Trails!

This article is part of the Shoshone News-Press Then and Now special section that appeared in the Friday, July 30 print edition. Copies of this edition can be purchased at the News-Press office in Osburn.

MULLAN — Very few businesses tie a community together the way that Mullan Trail Gas and Grocery does.

The small service station that operated as Polla-Mart for several decades made a major transformation just seven years ago and that transformation has been an incredible positive for the small Shoshone County town.

When business partners Don and Gigi Kotschevar, Mike and Jen Alexander, Shane McNevin, and Josh Brotherton came together in 2014, they put a business plan together that included growing the gas station into more of an attraction than just a simple by-the-way gas station.

For years the Polla-Mart operated out of a small building on the corner of River and Eighth streets, in the '90s, that building fell into some disrepair, including the in-ground tanks that held the gasoline.

Owners Jim and Margaret Polla decided to build a new facility just a few yards from the original building, with the new building they installed brand new in-ground tanks, and operated from that location until they sold the business to the aforementioned ownership group in 2014.

“With all of our experience, and each of us playing to our strengths, we were able to put together a comprehensive business plan that would allow us to grow and expand,” Gigi said. “We had some ideas like an R.V. park, some cabins, and then we put it in the business plan.”

The Kotschevar family has several reasons why they jumped into the partnership, but one anecdotal reason was tied to an event that could’ve changed their lives forever.

“It was Super Bowl Sunday and we needed a pack of hamburger buns,” Gigi recalled. “Polla’s was closed, so we sent our son to the grocery store in Wallace to grab a package of buns. So Hunter and some of his friends hopped in our car and headed to town. The roads were a little slick and on the way down, right by Golconda, as he came around the corner there was a 50-gallon drum of diesel sitting squarely in his lane as another car was passing him. With nowhere to go and the roads being what they were, he said ‘hold on’ and hit the drum squarely.”

According to Gigi, that was one of the last major events that led to her husband’s committing to being a part of the buyer-group.

“I can remember Don saying, ‘dang it — we need to be able to buy hamburger buns in Mullan,” Gigi said with a laugh.

The building itself was basically the same as when it had been built in the '90s, which meant that it needed some updating.

One full interior remodel later, including full tile flooring, bathrooms and appliances, Mullan Trail Gas and Grocery opened in March 2014.

Having a steady place where home staple-type items can be purchased is huge for the county’s tiniest incorporated city.

“It’s huge for the Mullan community,” Gigi said. “We have a lot of people who have always lived in Mullan, and now have trouble getting out of Mullan. With us having steady fuel, and not just being a regular gas station or convenience store, I think we fill an important need for the people in Mullan.”

You will always find the classic convenience store fare at Mullan Trail, but you will also find a large selection of canned goods, pantry stocking items, a full dairy selection, household and automotive items.

“We try to keep a big inventory of things that people need,” Gigi said. “We’re not Costco, but we’re there to help people make it through until they can get to town.”

Mullan Trail also serves as a stopping point for the weary traveler.

After Haugan, there aren’t many places to stop at all, let alone to get fuel, so Mullan becomes the first place people see after traversing the, at-times, treacherous Lookout Pass.

“You would not believe how many people come over Lookout Pass and then pull into town and need to stop for a few minutes or even a few hours — just because they are so stressed from the drive they just went finished,” Gigi said with a chuckle. “We usually ask them where they are going and then prepare them for another pass. But it isn’t uncommon for several folks to stop in and tell us about their experience coming over Lookout.”

Adding the RV park and cabins behind the store took it to another level.

Featuring 12 RV spots, and (currently) two cabins that are rentable, Mullan Trail is a prime spot for people to stop and stay when they are enjoying the natural amenities that come with North Idaho such as Lookout Pass Ski Resort, Route of the Hiawatha, Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, as well as the many other ATV and Jeeping opportunities that come with the Silver Valley.

Both the RV park and the cabins have gotten to be fairly successful, which may prompt a few potential changes in the near future.

“We’re at a point now where the cabins are pretty darn busy, year-round,” Gigi said. “It may be time for us to finalize the business plan and add more cabins like we planned to do.”

The partnership that owns Mullan Trail all have ties to the small town in one way or another, which fits their business plan perfectly.

Mullan Trail doesn’t have delusions of grandeur, they exist to serve their community in whatever they can.

“We have kids ride their ATVs down to fill them up, grab a drink and snack, some people even drive their lawn mowers to the station to fill them up, we love being there for our community,” Gigi said. “There was a time when we didn’t have a gas station and store. Pollas had closed, and it was tough for Mullan. It’s important to have something local for the residents.”

Mullan Trail Gas and Grocery is located at 725 River St. in Mullan, Idaho.