Wencar Inc. supplies your friendly neighborhood convenience store

When 5-hour Energy and Monster took off as the hottest new drinks on the market, convenience stores in Corpus Christi were able to quickly stock up thanks to Wencar Inc., a wholesale distributor catering to independent store owners across South Texas. Offering personal customer service and a quick response to market demands, Wencar has successfully  supplied goods and services to independents for more than 30 years.
The margins for wholesale distributers are low, so a successful business model requires a high volume of distribution, Wencar vice president Keith Meschi said. The company has acquired and retained a large customer base in the region by following the company motto, “Where service comes first.”
“To compete with wholesale industry giants, we keep our business humble with an emphasis on personal service,” Meschi told Corpus Christi Business News. “We utilize technology in many areas to streamline order and delivery processes, but, for example, we never moved to an automated phone system because we make every effort to be available to our convenience store owners.”  
Meschi grew up working on the retail side of the grocery store business, so he has a full understanding of the needs of his customers. 
“The independents are some of the hardest working people you are ever going to meet,” Meschi said. “They work seven-day work weeks and know everything going on in their neighborhoods. When they need us for an order or just for some information, we want to be there for them.”
Due to the longevity of many Wencar employees, one big asset upon which customers have come to rely is always dealing with a familiar face or voice on the phone. Several employees have been with the company for more than 20 years, and most employees are in the two-digit range in years of service. 
“After serving this area for so many years, we’ve got a good reputation as the local go-to for information that (convenience) store operators can trust,” Meschi said. “Our success and our great reputation in the industry is really due to our employees. We have a great team of people who are committed to our customers and doing the best job possible.”
The dedication and competence of the Wencar team is quickly evident during a walkthrough of the 30,000-square-foot warehouse. The place is stacked high with every kind of product one would expect to purchase at a convenience store, yet it is as clean as a whistle and meticulously organized. 
“The first thing you learn in the grocery business: Keep it clean and keep it organized,” Meschi said with a laugh.
His approach to the business works. The warehouse bustles at a steady pace, but each team member goes about his or her business with purpose, moving a massive amount of inventory every two to three weeks.
With the company’s service-oriented approach as a wholesaler, the Wencar team does more than simply take orders and deliver goods. The sales staff acts in an advisory role as well. 
“We’re here to listen to what the store owner needs,” Meschi said. “We can show them ways to maximize their sales space and make the ordering process easier.”
The convenience store market always carries the hottest consumer products — the latest snack foods, gums, candies and beverages. To keep independent convenience store customers on par with the larger chain stores, the Wencar team stays engaged with industry trends. 
“We keep our finger on the pulse of the latest products through the long-standing relationships with manufacturers and keeping up with industry news as well as attending trade shows,” Meschi said. 
In recent years, he said convenience stores have turned to carrying healthier alternatives such as protein bars and energy drinks. In South Texas, there has been a huge growth in sales of Hispanic candies. Interestingly (or oddly), the top-selling item at convenience stores is a single-wrapped roll of toilet paper.
 
A LITTLE BACK STORY
Wencar was founded in Corpus Christi in the early 1980s by brother-and-sister duo Lois Wenger and Ralph Carrier — thus the name Wencar. They initially ran it out of their homes. They successfully grew the family business but decided to move on after 15 years.
The Meschi family bought Wencar in 1998. Gary Meschi, a prominent businessman in the grocery industry in South Padre is company president. His son Keith Meschi runs the daily operations as vice president. They have continued to expand the business and grow the company’s distribution and reach.
In 1998, Keith Meschi and his wife moved to Corpus Christi, where they started their family. They now have three children.
“Corpus Christi has been very good to our family and our business,” he said. “We’ve been very fortunate to have the staff that we have. They have stuck with us even during the tough times. A big thing for us is having a family atmosphere for our employees, and that is one of the main reasons we are where we are today.”
As a final thought, he added: ”Success is not based on how much money you have. It is what you do and how much you give back to the world.”
The Wencar office is located at 818 South Padre Island Drive in Corpus Christi. The showroom store front is open to local customers to shop for the latest items available to add to their stores.