SERVING LINCOLN FOR OVER 50 YEARS!!

In 1969, Milton ‘Bus’ Whitehead recruited Gene Melichar as a Phillips 66 Dealer. This partnership resulted in Gene and his wife Julie founding Melichar 66 at 9th & P Street in Lincoln, Nebraska. Over time the business grew, as Gene brought in Ron McKelvie and Bill Munn as partners. In 1975, Melichar 66 really became a family business. Gene brought in his own son, Bruce Melichar, a year after he graduated from high school. Gene's wife, Julie, also came on as the station's bookkeeper. She prided herself on the appearance of the station, keeping it clean and decorating the business with plant baskets.

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Soon after Bruce started working for Gene, 'Bus' sent his own son Mark Whitehead to work at Melichar 66. Over the summer Mark worked there he gained valuable insight on the daily operation of Phillips dealers... and the nickname “Supertune.”

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By the late 1970s, Bruce bought Melichar 66 from his dad Gene. He would form a longtime friendship and business partnership with Larry Hillis, resulting in Melichar-Hillis 66. The original goal was to make it five years, they made it over ten.

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On January 25th, 1989, disaster struck. A fire started in the garage and spread quickly. Miraculously, no one was hurt but the garage was destroyed. The local community; consisting of friends, family, businesses, and customers banded together to support Melichar during this rough time. Bus, Mark, and Bruce came together to reimagine Melichar 66. Culminating in a new version of Melicar 66, with in a new building, new canopy for the gas pumps, and additional office space.

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In 1997, the tradition of keeping the business in the family continued. Jeff Melichar, Bruce's son, was brought into the business part time during his senior year of high school. Just like his dad, he started full time after graduating high school and still works alongside his father.

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In 2023, a property development group purchased the original Melichar 66 location at 9th and P from Whitehead Oil Company. Just like in 1989 the Melichars and Mark Whitehead sat down to reenvision the future of Melichar 66 at 48th and Normal. With the new plan finalized, everyone moved from 9th and P to 48th and Normal in mid 2023