OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. -- This edition of New Convenience-Store Roundup features new convenience-store openings, sales, acquisitions and store closings with listings for the month of August 2015.
The unscientifically gathered roundup is by no means complete, but serves as a monthly competitive snapshot of newly opened or closed U.S. convenience stores, gas stations, truckstops and travel centers not previously reported in CSP Daily News.
Many of the stores are owned by independent operators, while others belong to major chains, some part of CSP's Convenience Top 101. Some of them may be your new competitors.
The list has been arranged by state. Click through each item for more details on each store.
Your store not listed? Please send your new-store announcements to Greg Lindenberg at glindenberg@cspnet.com.
Connecticut
A Wheels convenience store held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening on August 28 in Newtown, Conn.
Florida
Wawa opened a convenience store in Clermont, Fla., on August 27.
CBRE arranged the sale of a Chevron service station and car wash in Miami Beach, Fla. Saber 1800 Alton LLC acquired the 3,953-square-foot asset situated on a 0.55-acre site from Larry’s Service Center Inc. for $7.3 million in late August. The new owners plan to develop the site into a retail development and parking garage.
Pat's Kwik Stop in Gainesville, Fla., closed in August after 36 years.
A new Circle K convenience store opened at in Tampa, Fla., on August 18. This location offers lottery, propane and is co-branded with CITGO fuel. A second Circle K c-store opened in Tampa on August 19. This location offers diesel, propane, and is co-branded with Mobil fuel.
Georgia
Parker’s opened the company’s 38th convenience store and second drive-through location in Vidalia, Ga., on August 20. It will be open 24/7, will sell Parker’s gas (including non-ethanol and diesel fuel) at 16 fueling locations, the company’s signature Chewy Ice, fountain drinks, fresh-brewed tea and lemonade, gourmet coffee, locally grown fresh-cut fruit, salads, 28-degree beer, vape products, cell phone accessories and more.
Illinois
A Circle K convenience store opened in Orland Park, Ill., on August 21. This location offers diesel, propane, and is co-branded with Mobil fuel.
Iowa
After nine years, a Swift Stop convenience store in Ames, Iowa, owned by Thompson Oil Co., closed its doors August 19 with a new business lined up to move in. The company will still own the building, but it will be leased to an independent c-store owner. “We were at the end of the life expectancy of the tanks and the gasoline installation,” vice president Rick Thompson said. “So we decided to pull the tanks, and at that point, we decided to close the store.”
Kwik Trip opened a convenience store in Davenport, Iowa, on August 13 and one in Bettendorf, Iowa, on August 14.
Kansas
After losing his contracted gas supplier, T&E Oil, Hutchinson, Kansas, gas station owner Tony Karam decided to make a go at an independent label, changing from Shamrock/Valero to KGO. He is now contracting with Brigman Oil.
Kentucky
FiveStar Food Mart opened a convenience store in Elkton, Ky., in August at the site of a former Gate Petroleum location.
Maryland
Dash In Food Stores celebrated the grand opening of its Urbana, Md., convenience store on August 8. A “hub for convenient living,” the 3,200-square-foot store offers a chef-driven menu of sandwiches, snacks and drinks, Shell Nitrogen-enriched fuel and a Splash In Eco Car Wash. Inside, wood fixtures, granite countertops and wood grain floor tiles accentuate the more modern and contemporary feel. A filmstrip of images of Maryland history stretches across the walls. Dash In has included self-serve kiosks and digital monitors throughout the store that highlight the day’s menu options and monthly promotions. The store features Dash In’s new line of Craveable salads and sandwiches, including breakfast sandwiches and wraps such as Cali Morning Bagel made from eggs, tomatoes and guacamole; the Ol’Sicily, made with Sicilian-braised meatballs in a marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, red onions and basil pesto; and the El Cubano, made with pulled pork, smoked ham, Swiss cheese, dill pickles, caramelized onions and mojo aioli.
Michigan
A CITGO gas station in Venice Township, Mich., closed in early August or late July.
Minnesota
Kwik Trip opened a convenience store in Plainview, Minn., on August 29.
Missouri
An Eagle Stop replaced Bair’s Grocery, a 3,000-square-foot convenience store and gas station in Springfield, Mo., in late August. Previously, it was a Kum & Go location.
QuikTrip opened the 75th convenience store in its St. Louis division, its 724th in all, on August 21.
New Jersey
QuickChek opened a new 5,700-square-foot convenience store in Mount Arlington, N.J., on August 10; a nearby existing store closed when the new store opened. Located off Interstate 80, the new store is open 24 hours a day and features a Q Café, which offers nearly 40 varieties of hot and iced cold coffees, iced caramel macchiato, fresh-brewed cappuccinos, lattes and espressos, blended-to-order fruit smoothies and frozen treats; no-fee ATMs; indoor seating for 13 people and outdoor seating for eight; five fueling stations and 46 parking spaces.
New Mexico
The Pump N Save owned by Roberts Oil in Moriarty, N.M., became a 7-Eleven convenience store in mid-August, owned and operated by Southwest Convenience Stores LLC.
Ohio
Englefield Oil Co. Inc. opened a new Duchess convenience store in Pataskala, Ohio, on August 27.
Pennsylvania
A Sunoco gas station in Canonsburg, Pa., switched hands from Councilman Rich Russo to L&M Oil Inc. for $200,000. The new operators of Canonsburg Sunoco said they have been managing the station since August 1. It will stay full service, honor Shop ’n Save fuel perk discounts and operate more as a “grocer than a regular convenience store,” said L&M partner Paul Lathia.
HMSHost reopened the Valley Forge Service Plaza in Wayne,, Pa., in late August, marking the completion of the turnpike’s 17-plaza redevelopment initiative. It features HMSHost’s first ever Starbucks drive-thru. The site’s renewal includes upgraded fueling facilities, realignment and resurfacing of parking areas, new landscaping and new lighting. Renovations were made possible by a 30-year, public-private redevelopment initiative with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, HMSHost and Sunoco Inc. HMSHost committed to revitalizing the plazas with new, larger buildings that would offer updated food and merchandise. Sunoco also invested in redeveloping the gas stations and convenience stores.
Texas
CST Brands’ Corner Store opened a convenience store in in Floresville, Texas, on August 12.
Stripes opened its first convenience store in Rosenberg, Texas, on August 4. It opened a c-store in Snyder, Texas, on August 6.
Vermont
The Sandri Cos. opened a Sandri Convenience Store in Williston, Vt., in late August. It includes a Dunkin’ Donuts, Acilio's Deli (ah-chilly-o’s), pizza, panini, subs and more.
Virginia
The Southern Food Store and gas station in Smithfield, Va., was converted to a 7-Eleven convenience store and opened on August 4.
Sheetz Inc. opened a new convenience store in Stuarts Draft, Va., on August 27. The new location will also feature a drive-thru option.
Wisconsin
Kwik Trip opened a convenience store in Pleasant Prairie, Wis., on August 16.
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