93 Stores in Idaho,
Colorado, and Wyoming
Polecat Pete:
The Legend Behind the Skunk
Founded in 1936, Stinker is a family-owned convenience retailer serving communities throughout Idaho, Colorado, and Wyoming.
We got our name in a fight. In 1936, a 20-year-old named Farris Lind opened a service station in Twin Falls and started selling gasoline for less than the major oil companies thought he should. They didn’t take it well. When one of them told a newspaper that Farris Lind was a real stinker, he took it as a compliment, put the word on his stations, and drew a skunk wearing red boxing gloves.
So the gloves came first, and they were never a joke. Fearless Farris put them on because he spent his career punching above his weight on behalf of the customer, and because a small Idaho company that refuses to be pushed around has to be willing to fight for what it believes in. Ninety years later, that’s still the job. We fight for our employees. We fight for our guests. That’s what sets us apart, and it’s what we look for in the people we hire.
Farris built this company selling fuel to the people the big companies overlooked. This role carries that torch: winning the local fleets, farms, and businesses that deserve a fuel partner who fights for them.
Our purpose is simple:
To make our world a better place by being a bright spot in the lives we touch, one employee, one guest, and one community at a time.
We believe our success starts with our people. That means developing others, building trust, welcoming new ideas, recognizing contributions, holding ourselves accountable, and having the courage to do what’s right.
We still know how to have fun — our mascot is a skunk, after all. But take a close look at Pete: he’s got his gloves on.
Remembering Charley...
In 2002, Charley Jones and business partner Shawn Davis purchased Stinker Stores from the family of founder Farris Lind. Charley brought a strong background in accounting, finance and business leadership to Stinker, along with a deep connection to Idaho and its business community.
In 2012, Charley and his wife, Nancy, bought out Davis, making them the sole owners of Stinker. Charley’s vision was to build a strong, lasting company that could continue as a family legacy. Under his leadership, Stinker grew from its Idaho roots into a regional convenience-store company serving Idaho, Colorado and Wyoming.
Charley was known for combining sharp business instincts with a generous spirit and a quick sense of humor. He believed Stinker should be more than a place to fuel up—he wanted it to be a bright spot for employees, guests and the communities it served. His commitment to community involvement and giving became an important part of the company's culture.
Charley remained involved with Stinker until his death on August 21, 2024, at age 72. His more than two decades of ownership helped shape the modern Stinker brand and its culture of hard work, humor, generosity and moxie. Today, his legacy lives on through the people and communities that make up the Stinker family.
Carrying the legacy forward:
Following Charley Jones' passing in 2024, Nancy Jones has taken the helm at Stinker, carrying forward the vision and values they built together. With a steadfast commitment to Stinker's people, guests, and communities, Nancy has guided the company into its next chapter — honoring the legacy that made Stinker what it is today while proving that the company's best days are still ahead.
That fighting spirit — the one our skunk has always stood for — was lived out every day through Charley. He fought for his employees, his guests, and his communities, and he raised two sons who carried that same spirit into service, both answering the call to serve in the United States Army.
Today, Nancy is joined by her son Charley D Jones, who returned to Stinker following his father's passing. A former Green Beret in the U.S. Army Special Forces, Charley D now serves as Vice President of Operations, bringing the discipline, leadership, and fight-for-your-people mentality forged in Special Forces back home to the family business. Together, mother and son are continuing both Charley's legacy and Stinker's — leading from inside the stores, developing people to be better and do more, and ensuring the entrepreneurial spirit, hard work, and moxie that have defined Stinker for generations carry on for the next one.
1936 - 1950's
1950's - 1970's
1970's - 2002
2002 - 2022
2022 - NOW
Community
At Stinker, we believe in being a Bright Spot in every community we serve. With 93 stores across Idaho, Colorado, and Wyoming, our purpose goes far beyond fuel and snacks—we’re here to lift spirits, lend a hand, and spark hope where it’s needed most.
From direct donations to hands-on service projects to companywide fundraisers, our team and customers show up with heart, grit, and plenty of moxie. We proudly support three major annual campaigns that help change lives in the places we call home:
Pieces of Hope
Pieces of Hope focuses on supporting individuals—primarily women and children—who are impacted by domestic violence. We partner with high-impact organizations in each of our states that provide essential services such as emergency hotlines, safe shelter, legal support, childcare, after-school programs, counseling, food assistance, and trauma-recovery resources. We are deeply grateful for these partners and the courageous work they do. Thanks to them, countless individuals and families find safety, stability, and hope!
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Folds of Honor
Through Folds of Honor, Stinker stands with the families of America’s fallen or disabled heroes. Since 2007, this organization has provided life-changing educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members—and now, first responders as well. Together, we honor their sacrifice and ensure these families know they are never forgotten.
Stomp Out Hunger
Food insecurity affects thousands of people in every state we serve. Through Stomp Out Hunger, Stinker partners with the Idaho Foodbank, Food Bank of the Rockies, and Food Bank of Wyoming to help provide nutritious meals to those who need them most. These organizations work with local food pantries and
partners to create the widest reach and greatest impact possible. We’re honored to support them as they deliver hope one meal at a time.
