OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. -- This edition of New Convenience-Store Roundup features new convenience-store openings, sales and shutterings for the month of January 2016.
The unscientifically gathered roundup--gleaned from company announcements, websites, social media and newspapers around the country, among other sources--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 represent new entrepreneurs, while others are longtime businesses exiting the industry.
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.
Colorado
A ribbon cutting on Jan. 16 in Sterling, Colo., was part of the three-day grand opening event for the new River Station, which sits on the site of the former Bauer's Market. It operates under the Valero brand.
Florida
A 7-Eleven in Siesta Key Village, Fla., closed Jan. 3. Jim Syprett and Jay Lancer bought the convenience store for $1.6 million after nearly a year and-a-half of talks with the corporate owners. “Quite frankly, we don’t know what were gonna do with the property yet,” said Syprett.
On the Move Corp. announced on Jan. 18 that it entered into leases to operate two convenience-store/gas stations in Royal Palm Beach, Fla., under the On the Move brand.
Illinois
In late January, Wortman Stores opened a 24-hour Jack Flash Stores convenience store and truckstop in Farmersville, Ill., with Phillips 66-branded fuel, including 10 gasoline islands and four diesel pumps. The c-store offers groceries, prepared foods, and beer, wine and liquor. There also is a video-gambling lounge.
Indiana
CountryMark opened a gas station in Muncie, Ind., on Jan. 13. The station is a partnership between AgBest, Herdrich Petroleum and Royal Brothers.
Kansas
Haag Oil Co. recently purchased a Kelly Express gas station in Topeka, Kansas, according to report in early January. It joined two other recent purchases, one in Auburn, Kansas, and another in Emporia, Kansas.
The QuikTrip convenience store at 13th and Oliver closed in mid-January because sales were affected by the new QuikTrip at Central and Oliver.
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened its fifth travel stop in Kansas on Jan. 28 in Holcomb. It offers coffee, an expanded fountain drink selection, fresh fruit, gift items and other items for professional drivers. It features two showers, 36 truck-parking spaces, RFID cardless fueling and CAT scales. Drivers can choose between Subway and Sonic restaurants. Love’s third Sonic drive-in also offer a dine-in option.
Massachusetts
A former Getty gas station in West Falmouth, Mass., officially reopened Jan. 20, as a self-service Citgo station and Express Mart. The station has two pump positions that can service four vehicles. Owners Vishal M. Shukla and Paresh H. Patel bought the station in November 2014.
Seasons Corner Market opened a convenience store with Shell fuel in Framingham, Mass., on Jan. 8. It offers food and drinks, automotive products, home goods, winter items and more. It features locally prepared Nicole’s Gourmet sandwiches, salads, wraps and more from Providence’s Pranzi Catering. It has a Pepsi Spire fountain machine that offers hundreds of flavor combinations, a flavor for all seasons! It also offers Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, F’Real milkshakes and smoothies and hot or iced Green Mountain Coffee.
Minnesota
Casey’s General Stores opened its second convenience store in Ramsey, Minn., on Jan. 14.
Nebraska
Love’s opened its doors for business on Jan. 29 in Valley, Neb. The travel stop features five showers, 67 truck parking spaces, RFID cardless fueling and CAT scales. It offers coffee, fresh fruit, gift items, a Subway restaurant and more.
Nevada
Silver Crossing, a convenience store and gas station, held a grand opening in Silver Springs, Nev., on Jan. 23, in the building formerly occupied by the Village Market.
New York
Stewart’s Shops totally rebuilt its Nassau, N.Y., convenience store down the road from an existing location. The new shop opened on Dec. 30 but held the grand opening on Jan. 9. It features pizza (pie and by the slice), made-to-order subs and a walk-in beer cave. There is a larger counter area with a wide selection of Easy Foods, more seating and LED lighting. Fuel service has also been expanded to include diesel and ethanol-free premium gasoline.
North Carolina
Pilot Flying J Inc. opened a Pilot Travel Center in Marion, N.C., on Jan. 18. It offers 10 gasoline fueling positions and seven diesel lanes; a
Subway quick-service restaurant (QSR); casual food offerings, including sandwiches, fresh salads and hot dogs; coffee and cappuccino; and everyday products.
Oklahoma
Love’s opened a location in Texhoma, Okla., On Jan. 14. The store offers coffee, fresh fruit, gift items, name-brand electronics, Subway and Chester’s restaurants and more. The 24/7 travel stop also features two showers, 35 truck parking spaces, RFID
Pennsylvania
Rutter’s Farm Stores opened a convenience store in York Springs, Pa., on Jan. 8. The 24/7 location is on a 11.5-acre site, and the 9,100-square-foot store is the retailer’s largest. It offers 14 fueling spaces and seven high-speed truck diesel fueling spaces. It features the chain’s food menu and coffee bar, along with free Wi-Fi and café-style seating for 36 people.
“We've closed our Tom's convenience store and Exxon gas station on S. George St.” in York, Pa., Shipley Energy said Jan. 29 on Facebook. “‘The closure of this location will allow us to focus more resources on our other stores and quick-service restaurants, as we continue to deliver the best possible experience for our guests,’ Dave Gruno, president of Shipley Stores, said. What will the new location be? Stay tuned!” The company's other gas stations and travel centers are unaffected.
Rhode Island
Seasons Corner Market opened a convenience store with Shell fuel in North Providence, on Jan. 15, Lincoln, R.I., on Jan. 22. The offer food and drinks, automotive products, home goods, winter items and more. They feature locally prepared Nicole’s Gourmet sandwiches, salads, wraps and more from Providence’s Pranzi Catering. They have Pepsi Spire fountain machines that offers hundreds of flavor combinations, a flavor for all seasons! They also offer Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, F’Real milkshakes and smoothies and hot or iced Green Mountain Coffee.
Shine 365 Auto Wash opened new car washes, gas stations and convenience stores in Cumberland and North Kingston, R.I., on Jan. 23.
South Carolina
Parker’s opened a convenience store on Hilton Head Island, S.C., on Jan. 6, its first on the island. It features a hot deli serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Highlights include a full breakfast bar as well as Southern fried chicken tenders, mac 'n' cheese and other classic favorites. The store also sells Parker’s gas, Chewy Ice, fountain drinks, fresh-brewed tea and lemonade, coffee, 28-degree beer, vape products, cell phone accessories and more.
Tennessee
Weigel’s opened a full-service convenience store in Clinton, Tenn., on Jan. 15, its first with four wide diesel fuel bays, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) at the pump, SmartQ technology and Comdata payment solutions. The store offers made-to-order food for all dayparts at the Weigel’s Kitchens, a dedicated quick foodservice kiosk. They can order paninis, pizzas, burritos, quesadillas and hot soft pretzels. It also offers Barista-Made specialty espresso drinks like lattes and cappuccinos from organic espresso beans and Weigel’s milk, as well as fruit smoothies. And it features fresh baked goods like donuts, muffins and cookies, delivered daily from Weigel’s Knoxville bakery. It also has no-fee ATMs.
Texas
Pilot Flying J opened the Pilot Travel Center in Schulenburg, Texas, on Jan. 19. It features 20 fueling positions and eight diesel lanes with high-speed pumps; three RV lanes and sanitary dump station; a Taco Bell quick-service restaurant (QSR); a Cinnabon; and an Auntie Anne’s Pretzels. It also has PJ Fresh fast, casual food offerings, including pizza, soup, salads, sandwiches and hot dogs; coffee and cappuccino; and everyday products.
TravelCenters of America LLC opened TA Hillsboro in Hillsboro, Texas, on Jan. 20. The 24/7/365 location offers 210 truck and more than 180 car parking spaces; eight diesel lanes with diesel exhaust fluid (DEF); 16 Shell-branded gasoline fueling points; a five-bay truck service facility; a 180-seat Country Pride full-service restaurant; a 5,600-square-foot Minit Mart c-store with driver merchandise, beverages, World Blends Coffee and to-go meal and snack options; a 56-seat Burger King quick-service restaurant (QSR); 10 driver showers; a StayFit fitness room; a laundry facility; professional driver movie and TV rooms; Wi-Fi; ATM; check cashing;, cash advance; Western Union services; and more. It also features Ranger’s Virtual Sports Café, an adjacent, proprietary entertainment offering that includes virtual golf and virtual gun ranges and serves burgers, pizza and beverages.
CST Brands opened a Corner Store convenience store in Seguin, Texas, on Jan. 30.
Utah
On Jan. 26, Holiday Oil opened two convenience stores in Harriman, Utah, offering Sinclair Oil branded gasoline.
Wyoming
John Huff is the new owner of Bentz’s Town Pump in Casper, Wyo., after purchasing the gas station from Don Bentz in January. The station’s new name is Old Town Pump.
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