OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. -- This edition of the Open & Shut digest of new convenience store openings, sales, acquisitions and store closings features listings for the month of December 2014.
The unscientifically gathered roundup is by no means complete, but serves as a monthly "snapshot" of newly opened or closed U.S. convenience stores, gas station, 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.
The list has been arranged by state. Click through each item for more details on each store.
Please send your new-store announcements and other industry news to Greg Lindenberg at glindenberg@cspnet.com.
Arkansas
Kum & Go LC opened a new convenience store in Lowell, Ark., on December 12, replacing a previous store across the street. This is the third Kum & Go c-store in Lowell.
California
The Big Pine Chevron Gas Station & Food Mart in Big Pine, Calif., closed in early December for not meeting environmental requirements for its secondary containment system. "Our closing is temporary and we hope to reopen sometime after the New Year … or at least no later than spring," owner Roger Sandoval said. "The gas station failed to pass a S.B. 989 leak test required of all gas stations in the county," Inyo County director of environmental health Marvin Moskowitz said. "We worked with Mr. Sandoval to resolve the issue and allowed the business to remain open through the 2014 summer tourist season at his request in order to keep the cash flow that he needed to make the repairs. Unfortunately … the repairs did not happened."
7‑Eleven Inc. hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newest El Cajon, Calif., convenience store on December 3, its 19th c-store in El Cajon.
Connecticut
The service plaza on Interstate 95 North in Fairfield, Conn., opened on December 12, the 19th of 23 state highway service plazas to be completely renovated. It features a Mobil gas station, Alltown Convenience Store and a Subway, Dunkin' Donuts and McDonald's. The improvements include free WiFi and backup generators, along with photovoltaic solar panels that reduce dependence on traditional power sources; single-stream recycling; idle-reduction technology for tractor-trailers; water-efficient rest rooms; and energy-efficient insulation, lighting, heating and air conditioning.
Florida
Wawa Inc. opened new convenience stores in Plant City, Fla., on December 14, Kissimmee, Fla., on December 16 and Bradenton, Fla., on December 18. The Bradenton c-store is the chain's first in the southwestern part of the state (watch embedded video).
Pilot Flying J opened a new travel center in early December in Jasper, Fla.
Hawaii
Pinky's, a Papaikou, Hawaii, convenience store with ties to the community for more than nine decades, closed on December 6. Owner Colleen Aina's grandparents, Tsukomo and Ume Hironaka, founded T. Hironaka Store, a sugar plantation store, in 1921. After several owners, it became Pinky's c-store in 1989, later expanding into toys and fireworks. She reopened the store from December 26 to New Year's Eve to sell fireworks one last time. "We want to go out with a bang," Aina said.
Illinois
Two closed CITGO gas stations on the east side of Kankakee, Ill., become Gas Depot locations on December 11. The station in west Watseka, Ill., also recently changed to a Gas Depot. Gas Depot is the supplier of gas at these locations, but is not the owner.
Road Ranger LLC opened a new travel center on December 4 in Grayville, Ill., partnering with Pilot Flying J.
A new gas station and convenience store opened in mid-December on the south side of Urbana, Ill. A Valero station is now operating at the former site of a Swifty station. It is owned by N&G Takhar Oil Co.
Iowa
In early December, Pilot Flying J opened a new travel centers in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
Kentucky
Thorntons Inc. held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a newly renovated Louisville, Ky., convenience store.
Maine
What used to be C&S OneStop at Stickney's Corner in Washington, Maine, has reopened under new ownership with a new name. Jackson Corner Store, owned by Melissa Jackson and her father, Tim Jackson, opened December 6. It also offers full-service gas.
Michigan
A new Speedway convenience store opened in Wayland, Mich., on December 19 after a complete rebuilding project. The new 4,600-square-foot location will be open around the clock and will have 12 consumer fueling lanes and one commercial fuel lane. The store also has expanded parking and a walk-in beer cave. It will feature Speedway's latest evolution in food--a Speedy Café--a fast-casual restaurant where customers place their orders on a self-serve kiosk. The food is freshly prepared and will feature paninis, subs, specialty dogs, customizable pizzas, hand-crafted beverages (lattes, mochas, smoothies and frappes), breakfast sandwiches and sides.
Minnesota
Kwik Trip opened a new convenience store in Cloquet, Minn., on December 23.
Casey's General Stores Inc. purchased Ole's East Side Shell in Albert Lea, Minn., in early December.
New Hampshire
Keene Discount Mart convenience store in Keene, N.H., held its grand opening on December 18. Store manager Ajay Patel said his family own 48 stores and gas stations across New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
New Mexico
After nearly 30 years, South Sea Full Service Station owner Doyle Onstott is retiring. The location is the last full-service gas station in operation in Portales, N.M. Onstott said he closed the station December 31 because of a decline in demand for full-service gas stations.
New York
Stewart's Shops held a ribbon-cutting and grand opening celebration of a replacement store in East Greenbush, N.Y., on December 5. Also, West Utica, N.Y., welcomed its first Stewart's Shop on December 19.
Bonus Video: Stewart's Shops Highlights 2014 Growth
"Stewart’s Shops had a busy 2014, completing nearly a dozen major projects, which included four new locations and six replacement shops, as well as dozens of other additions and remodels," the company said on its website and social media.
NOCO celebrated the grand opening on December 17 of its newly rebuilt NOCO Express store in Grand Island, N.Y. The former 950-square-foot store has been replaced with a 4,000-square-foot store.
In December, a pair of local businessmen sold a 2,016-square-foot Sunoco gas station and convenience store to New York-based investors. According to documents filed in the Erie County Clerk's Office, Fred Hanania and Roger Pasquarella sold the property in in Cheektowaga, N.Y., to Buffalo City Digs LLC for $650,000. The gas station remains open.
The Little Super Market in Wilmington, N.Y., began selling Mobil-branded gasoline and diesel fuel on December 20 with help from Santa's Workshop characters. It is the first gas station in town since the Wilson Farms convenience store closed in spring 2013. Little Super Market co-owners Roy and Becky Holzer have a supply contract with Hyde Fuel.
North Dakota
Creek Oilfield Services LLC's Horizon Market (pictured) in Bismarck, N.D., held a grand opening on December 16. The convenience store offers its own gourmet coffee program, called Sooner or Later, and Swirly's frozen yogurt, a beer cave, a drive-thru and a car wash. The store also operates a food truck in the community. Jason McDonald and Whitney Burns of Paragon Solutions were designers on this project.
Oklahoma
Paul's Conoco, one of Oklahoma City's last full-service gas stations, stopped pumping gas on Christmas Eve after 40 years in business. Owner Paul Dean said, "This old service station is worn out--it's time." Dean is selling the building and land, which he has owned since 1992, to begin his semi-retirement.
Pennsylvania
Sheetz Inc. opened a new convenience store in Centre Hall, Pa., on December 17. Sheetz also opened a new convenience store in Smoketown, Pa., on December 22. And it opened a new c-store in Lancaster, Pa., on December 23, the company's 12th in Lancaster County.
South Carolina
The Spinx Co. has opened a new convenience store in Ladson, S.C., on December 23.
Texas
CST Brands' Corner Store opened new convenience stores in Big Lake, Texas, on December 3; Gonzales, Texas, on December 4; La Joya, Texas, on December 5; Pecos, Texas, on December 10; Missouri City, Texas, on December 15; and Magnolia, Texas, on December 18.
Pilot Flying J opened a new travel center in early December in Junction, Texas.
Wisconsin
Kwik Trip opened a new convenience store in Eau Claire, Wis., on December 11 and held a grand re-opening of a c-store in Sparta, Wis., on December 17.
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