Malta's Little Ott's changes hands

When Horizon Resources first started thinking about purchasing Malta's Little Ott's convenience store, they had one person in mind to run the gas station if the deal could be had.

Chris Kinkelaar is the new manager of Horizon Resources on Highway 2, but she isn't new to Malta.

"I am originally from Winifred (Mont.) but lived here in Malta after I got married," Kinkelaar said. "We lived here from 1986 to 1995."

Kinkelaar started working at the mine in Landusky in 1988 for Pegasus and then worked at KRM for about four years, First Security Bank for about eight months before leaving Phillips County.

"I have been here in Malta for 20 years, but I am really happy to be back," she said. "The people I knew while I lived here have all stopped in to say. It has been great to be able to come back and see everybody."

One of the people from all those years ago that was happy to see Kinkelaar return is Terri Robinson as the two were best friends during Kinkelaar's time in Phillips County and the two remained in constant contact over the last 20 years.

"She lived in Zortman at the time and babysat my kids while I worked at the mine," Kinkelaar said. "It is great to be able to come back to a best friend."

Besides being best pals, the two are now roommates as Kinkelaar recently moved into Robison's home.

Horizons Resources' main office is located in Williston, N.D. and has elevators in five North Dakota cities including Watford City and Zahl. Horizon also has six agronomy stores – including three Montana locations in Culbertson, Fairview and Savage. The acquisition of Little Ott's is the second convenience store in Montana owned by the company – which now owns five – including a Fairview location.

Kinkelaar has been employed at Horizon Resources since the beginning of January, 2014 and first heard rumblings that her employer could possibly purchase the gas stations she frequented often in her last stay in Phillips County (and each time she travels through Malta on the way to her mother's house in Winifred.)

"I was in the energy department there and they asked me about Malta and Little Ott's," she said. "I told them it is a nice little store and they kept looking at it and looking at it. They finally put a bid out to purchase the store and the bid was accepted and they said the job is yours if you want to go...and here I am."

After 12 years, Eric and Katie Ottinger decided to sell the store to Horizon Resources.

"We would like to thank the community for all the support over the years," Katie said. "It was a true pleasure to serve each of you." Katie said she and Eric will now focus their time and efforts on farming, ranching and raising their children and they wish the Horizon Resources crew the best of luck with their new venture.

Though they no longer own the store, Eric and Katie have been a huge help in the location's transition of owners, according to Kinkelaar.

"Eric and Katie are right here anytime I need help," Kinkelaar said. "And the customers have been very understanding when we can't find a price. Everyone is being supportive and nobody gets mad."

Kinkelaar said between the help from the Ottingers and the associates she now has on staff – Darcy Dowell, Mary Coppock, Tammy Peterson and Rachel Drabbs – the transition has been manageable.

"I am so thankful to have the support from the girls that work here," she said. "I am lucky to have them all."