STORES OPT FOR 24 HOURS OPERATION

Providing a service to their customers, that's the reason grocery stores, restaurants and convenience stores are open around the clock, managers say.

Those places also never close because society demands places to shop, eat and gas up 24 hours a day.

"We see it as a customer service because they don't have to worry about time whenever they come into the story," said Jim Maurer, general manager of Rhodes Companies. "There are people on swing shifts and others who travel at different times, so it is a real service to be open 24 hours."

Maurer said most of the Rhodes 101 convenience stores have been open 24 hours since they were first opened. He said some locations have a real need to be open around the clock.

"There are businesses that work around the clock that are serving a larger part of the community," said Dennis Marchi, store manager of Schnucks. "The two hospitals, Procter & Gamble and M & W operate 24 hours a day and we have people coming in prior to work and after work who need this convenience."

Marchi said Schnucks has been open 24 hours for seven days a week since the blue law in Cape Girardeau County was repealed. He said businesses have to be open around the clock as a much needed customer service.

Basil Barnes, the owner of Mr. B's Waffles & Deli agreed: "We've been here five years and open 24 hours since we opened the doors. The only days we're closed is Christmas and Thanksgiving. Otherwise, we're public servants."

Barnes said being open 24 hours gives employees the chance to "deep clean" the restaurant after 3 a.m. when customer traffic slows down.

"Sometimes you hear horror stories about being open or the night crowd," he said. "But they have to have someplace to go. Everyone needs a little something to eat late at night."

Barnes said being open 24 hours benefits the customer and the restaurant. He said that the business hasn't suffered any problems by being open around the clock.

Marchi said the added cost of being open 24 hours is minimal compared to shutting down for a few hours every night.

"We do night stocking so the labor is here anyway," he said. "All we did was add a checker so there's no real additional labor cost."

Maurer said the cost of being open 24 hours at Rhodes are outweighed by the customers that enter the store. He also said the additional cost of being open was minimal.

"The coolers still run and most of the lights are on anyway, so we might as well be open," Maurer said. "But with society going to what it is -- 24 hours -- businesses have to adapt. You'll probably see more things being open like that."