Work is continuing on the Kalona Kwik Star, and the procedural ground has been laid for its opening later this year.

At its past two meetings, the Kalona City Council approved liquor and tobacco licenses for the gas station, which is expected to open next month. The building’s exterior structure has been completed as construction continues on the lot immediately southwest of the intersection of Highway 1 and Highway 22.

The land for the new gas station was purchased one year ago for $707,500.

Kwik Star is the Iowa name for Kwik Trip, a Wisconsin-based company which uses an alternate name in several states to distinguish itself from QT, another gas station chain based out of Oklahoma. The site is expected to bring north of 30 new jobs to the city.