The metro-east is beginning to see more Circle K gas stations.

The new signage that you might have seen popping up at existing gas stations and convenience stores across the metro-east are the result of Dickerson Petroleum Inc. recently selling its 29 sites to a Canadian company. Last December, Belleville-based Dickerson Petroleum sold its properties to Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. in Laval, Quebec. The deal includes 25 metro-east locations.

Tom Dickerson founded the company in 1971 and operated the business until his death in 2001. Dickerson had gas stations in Belleville, Fairview Heights, O'Fallon, Shiloh, Caseyville, Millstadt, Cottage Hills, Collinsville, Edwardsville, Troy, Highland and Waterloo.

IHOP in Belleville reopened after a week-long renovation. The 52-year-old signature A-framed building just received an interior and exterior redesign. You can see for yourself at 601 Carlyle Ave. or call 233-0911.

The new owners of a Swansea store that sells bird feed, bird feeders and gardening supplies intends to keep the business as is. Jim and Mardi Mauch are the new proprietors of Wild Birds Unlimited at 2657 N. Illinois St. in Swansea, which opened about 20 years ago. You can still reach the store by calling 235-3370.

It appears that Dreamy Creamy Scoops at 104 E. Main St., Suite A, in Belleville has closed. One of the windows of the ice cream shop has been boarded up and the phone number has been disconnected.

And finally, the employees of Srogus Construction Inc. in Smithton completed the Gold Level Training through LP Building Products Build Smart Program. This status makes them an approved installer of all LP products. LP Building Products manufactures building materials for new construction, repair, remodeling and manufactured housing. LP products are sold through distributors, dealers, professional lumberyards, and retail home centers. For more information, visit www.srogusconstruction.com.

Contact reporter Will Buss at wbuss@bnd.com or 239-2526.