One would be hard pressed to drive through Nashville and not see a commercial building owned by Wayne J. Land.

It wasn’t always that way.

He started out by opening a single L&L convenience store in January 1973 in Nashville.

“I started as a partnership in the first store, then bought out the partner, and then went from there on my own,” Land said.

Today, the family business run by Land and his daughters owns 14 L&L convenience stores and gas stations in the region. He also has grown his business to include an array of commercial rental sites, many off the U.S. 64-N.C. 58 exit in Nashville.

His commercial buildings are leased to businesses such as Taco Bell and Italian Pizzeria on West Washington Street; Pizza Hut and Subway on West Nashville Drive; Kidz Place 2 Bee day care off East Washington Street; and Ferrellgas office and Nashville Auto Mart on Eastern Avenue.

In Rocky Mount, he leases office space on Sunset Avenue to George Griffin, Custom Car Wash and King Co. Pest Control.

Land also has 20 rental homes.

Q: What products or services do you provide?

A: Convenience items, food, groceries, gasoline and other products. We’ve got rental properties scattered over the county. We’ve got an office for a hair stylist. We have Dollar Country, which is a large variety store with 12,000 items. We have several corporations set up (for the businesses). We’re in convenience store business, in the real estate business, renting, commercial and residential. My daughter keeps up with real estate stuff. We rent business offices. We’ve got three business offices at East Washington Street in Nashville.

Smithson Inc. in Rocky Mount has built all of the commercial buildings.

I’ve done eight subdivisions with 200 homes. Most of them have sold.

Q: Who are your key leaders?

A: Wayne J. Land, president, daughters Pamela Saunders, assistant secretary-treasurer, Kathy Sherrod, secretary-treasurer.

Q: How many people do you employ?

A: 175.

Q: When were you established?

A: 1973.

Q: What’s your business philosophy?

A: Good, friendly service. Try to maintain a good staff of people and offer our customers the best at the lowest price.

Q: What makes your business unique?

A: We’re a local company, and we invest in local charities, churches and civic organizations, individuals that are in need of help.

Q: What changes do you expect for your company in coming years?

A: We are looking at another (L&L) location pretty soon.

Q: Why did you pick Rocky Mount as a place to do business?

A: Things were booming during those years that (the business started). Rocky Mount seemed to be a comfortable town with a good business environment. I was born in Nash County.

Q: How has your company grown in the last several years?

A: We’ve averaged adding a store at least every couple of years.