New Convenience-Store Roundup for July 2016
By Greg Lindenberg on Aug. 04, 2016CHICAGO -- This edition of New Convenience-Store Roundup features new convenience-store openings, closings and stores under new ownership for the month of July 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.
Click through for a state-by-state breakdown.
Alabama
Young Oil Inc. opened a new Grub Mart convenience store in Jacksonville, Ala., on July 18.
Illinois
Thorntons Inc. held the grand opening of a new convenience store in Elmhurst, Ill., on July 15.
Iowa
Elliott Oil opened a new BP-branded H&A Mini Mart in Des Moines, Iowa, on July 22.
Maryland
Royal Farms opened a convenience store in Dundalk, Md., on July 1.
Michigan
The Sail In Café & Convenience Store in the Blue Water Area Transit agency's downtown Port Huron, Mich., bus transfer center held a grand opening July 12. It is owned and operated by St. Clair County Community Mental Health, which will use it as a training center for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or mental illness who want to gain employment skills in the foodservice and retail service industries. They will have the opportunity to learn skills such as safe food handling, customer service, cashier operation and inventory. The new café and c-store will fill a need in an area that has been designated as a food desert. The 1,500-square-foot space includes a service counter, shelving and a seating area. Sail In will sell a selection of meal and snack items, such as nachos, hot dogs, sandwiches, frozen yogurt, cappuccino, slushies and smoothies. It will also sell groceries and toiletries, including milk, eggs and bread.
Missouri
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores Inc. opened new locations in Bridgeton and Harrisonville, Mo., on July 28. The Bridgeton travel stop has a Wendy’s restaurant, the first in the St. Louis area to offer breakfast. Professional drivers can take advantage of the seven showers, 94 truck parking spaces and a Love’s Truck Tire Care center. It also features a Subway restaurant. A 411-unit Love’s Self Storage facility will open adjacent to the travel stop this fall. The 12,500-square-foot Harrisonville facility is open 24/7 and offers Chester’s and McDonald’s restaurants, fresh coffee, name-brand merchandise and more. Professional drivers have access to seven showers, Love’s Truck Tire Care center and 88 truck parking spaces.
New Hampshire
The new owners of the former Cumberland Farms convenience store in Laconia, N.H., opened Racing Mart Fuels in July.
New York
Stewarts Shops opened a new convenience store in Westmoreland, N.Y., on July 15. It features fresh milk, ice cream and coffee as well as fresh-made pizza, subs, and other “easy food” options such as pastries, sandwiches, deli dogs and hot entrees. It also built a new shop to replace an existing location in Rome, N.Y. It included pizza and subs, a beer cave and extra seating. The parking lot has also grown, along with a new gas island including premium non-ethanol gasoline, diesel and kerosene. Two new Stewarts Shops opened July 20, one near the Lake George, N.Y., outlets, known as the Million Dollar Half Mile, and the other in Halfmoon, N.Y., to replace an existing location. An increase in store size provides space for pizza and subs, along with traditional Stewart’s offerings, a beer cave and seating.
North Carolina
Harris Teeter opened a new five-pump gas station in Charlotte, N.C., on July 22.
Ohio
T&J's Fast Food Mart, formerly a Circle K convenience store, held its official grand opening, and the city held a grand-opening ribbon-cutting ceremony July 8 in Bucyrus, Ohio.
Pennsylvania
A new Rutter's Farm Stores opened a new convenience store in Port Royal, Pa., in mid-July. The “flagship store” takes up 9,100 square feet with 14 gas pumps and four diesel pumps. A restaurant area in the store seats up to 30 people. A touch-screen kiosk helps customers choose from a menu that including hot sandwiches, subs, burgers, wraps, seafood, salads, basket meals, breakfast items and more. The newest menu item offered at the new location is pizza. Rutter's new "R" Shakes are available at the store. There are also new breakfast baskets. A coffee bar offers frappes, espresso and cappuccino.
Rhode Island
Season’s Corner Market held the grand opening for a new convenience store in Newport, R.I., on July 22.
South Carolina
TravelCenters of America renovated its travel center in Columbia, S.C. It offers a renovated two-bay truck service center with a new retail center and upgraded equipment; an expanded truck parking lot with 78 angled spaces; new diesel lanes with diesel exhaust fluid (DEF); a new driver lounge with laptop desks and DirecTV; CAT truck scales; a professional driver entrance; Dunkin’ Donuts and Taco Bell restaurants that seat 84 customers in a common dining area; a renovated Minit Mart travel store stocked with Cool Cup fountain beverages, World Blends Coffee and fresh-food and healthy snack offerings; large, clean, brightly lit restrooms; a laundry facility with machines that accept credit/debit card payments and send the user a text message when the cycle is finished; seven driver showers operated by an automated reservation system accessible through the TA/Petro TruckSmart mobile app; a StayFit fitness room (free to professional drivers who are UltraONE Driver Rewards Program members); and an outdoor walking trail.
Turtle Market opened a c-store in mid-July in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. Along with merchandise it will offer freshly prepared foods, breads baked on site, breakfast sandwiches, salads, coffee and more.
Parker’s opened a new convenience store in Port Royal, S.C., on July 26. It features a hot deli serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, including Parker’s offerings prepared fresh on site. Highlights include a full breakfast bar with egg casserole, bacon, sausage, cheese grits and biscuits, as well as Southern fried chicken tenders, mac 'n' cheese, vegetables and daily specials. It offers the company’s signature Chewy Ice, fountain drinks, tea and lemonade, coffee, fruit, salads, 28-degree beer, vape products, cellphone accessories and more. The site sells gasoline at eight fueling stations.
Texas
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a location in Quanah, Texas, on July 28. It offers Chester’s and Godfather’s Pizza restaurants, gourmet coffee, fresh fruit, electronics, gift items and more at the new travel stop. The 24-hour, 8,000-square-foot facility provides five showers and 53 truck-parking spots for professional drivers. The company also opened its second location in Van, Texas, on the same day. The 12,000-square-foot facility features three dining options: Arby’s, Godfather’s Pizza and Chester’s. The location also has 74 truck-parking spaces, seven showers, RFID cardless fueling, CAT scales and other driver services. Customers can also enjoy gourmet coffee, fresh fruit, gift items and more. A 74-room Fairfield Inn will open adjacent to the travel stop early next year.
Virginia
The Lucky Seven convenience store in Nauck, Va., closed after a fire in the summer of 2012. A 7-Eleven that opened in 2014 has dropped its corporate affiliation and is now being rebranded as Lucky Seven. The store closed the first weekend in July to facilitate the changeover and reopened July 4. The owner decided to make the switch after the expiration of the store’s contract with 7-Eleven. Many shelves were bare and the store was only accepting cash. The owner said he will add more products and install frozen drink machines and other c-store staples.
Wisconsin
A Shell gas station in Fond du Lac, Wis., closed in July after its owners put the site up for sale last spring.
Wyoming
Kum & Go LC opened the doors July 14 to its newly built convenience store in Rock Springs, Wyo. The more than 6,200-square-foot store features the company’s new Marketplace store design. The centerpiece of the store is an expanded and open food-preparation area. Other features include an elevated food experience with Kum & Go’s Go Fresh Market. open kitchen layout, clear aisles and easy-to-navigate zones; seating inside with heated patio seating outside; and complimentary Wi-Fi and charging stations for customers.