How many “C” words describe the newest enterprise in Morrison, IL? Start with convenient, clean, comfortable, close, and convivial. Add cozy and Cozzie, and you have Co-Z Corner Convenience Store, 401 Tech Drive, which borders Morrison Institute of Technology on IL Route 78.
In addition, it is the first location to sell gasoline or diesel fuel as one enters the City of Morrison from the south, and the last opportunity to buy fuel before entering Interstate 88. Snow fluttered past the Conoco sign at the edge of the State highway on Tuesday afternoon, February 4, 2014.
Co-Z Corner joins four such businesses, but this location is the only one not on the Lincoln Highway/US Route 30. Accessible seven days a week, the business is open from
- 5:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
- 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Saturdayday
- 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Sunday.
First-time business owners are Mike and Alicia Cozzie, Morrison residents for a dozen years. Alicia Cozzie stressed the healthy food options her store offers. She listed a dozen organic and non-genetically modified organism (GMO) options, some of which are to come.
- Prairie Farms Dairy hormone-free milk
- almond milk
- organic cold tea; organic hot tea to come
- popcorn made with organic oil
- organic granola bars; organic cereal to come
- organic apples, bananas, and fruit strips
- Kettle Brand non-GMO chips
- GMO-free candy with no sugar.
Their official opening was Thursday, January 23, but a Grand Opening will be held when the weather abates in the spring, stated General Manager Nancy Carpenter of Erie, IL. She is Alicia’s mother. There are ten staffers now; Carpenter is in charge of training. Two of Alicia’s sons are employees: 16-year-old Chance Bender and 15-year-old Brennan Bender. The Cozzies have six additional children: Anthony, Sean, Joshua, Lauren, Tessa, and Devin.
Co-Z Corner is “family- and locally-owned,” Carpenter noted. “We set ours [gas prices] with everybody else.” It may be too soon for regulars to visit the store and occupy the two booths for coffee and conversation, but “the first guys [came] today for coffee. The MIT kids come in. Climco [employees] come for lunch. Diesel-fuel truckers” stop, too, she said.
“We have good food; hamburger, chicken, and Philly cheesesteak sandwiches; carryout pizza; a lunch menu with a daily soup; doughnuts, muffins, and cookies; Harvest Ridge coffee and cappuccino. [There are] no fried foods. The night [food mainly] is carryout pizza and snacks, but we’ll make sandwiches if someone calls ahead,” Carpenter added. The number is 815-772-2343.
Additional options include frozen foods; ice cream; milk; juice; bagged ice; beverages. There is a walk-in Beer Cave. If so inclined, one can purchase various Illinois State Lottery items. Adam Rumfelt, Morrison, left, stands with Chance Bender before a wide array of beverages which are chilled and colorful.
