Independent convenience-store and gas station retailer EagleStores has long placed less emphasis on the “stores” part of its retail equation and more on the “stations” part.
With a rich history driven mainly by the fuel side of the business over food and staples, the Dayton, Ohio-based company is poised to expand its c-store presence, with the latest indication being the recent acquisition of a Princeton, Indiana-based Fuel Mart from Ports Petroleum. R&R Takhar Oil Cos., the parent company of EagleStores, is planning to raze and rebuild the site in Princeton by the end of the year, where it will then be branded under “a major fuel name” once construction is complete, Jovi Takhar, senior associate for R&R Takhar Oil Co. Inc., told CSP.
Currently, the chain owns and operates just five true c-stores with the remaining being fueling stations. Once completed, the modern, high-efficiency Princeton location will feature “updated fueling infrastructure, inviting store layout and a clean, customer-focused design,” said Takhar.
Electrification is expected to be a piece of the renovation, a decision perhaps driven by Princeton’s proximity to two interstate highways.
“While EV charging won’t be part of the initial phase, it is something we’re actively exploring across multiple new builds as the demand grows,” said Jovi Takhar, who operates the chain with President Randy Takhar and Vice President Rachhpal Takhar. “This site will definitely be one of our most complete models in terms of layout and efficiency,” he said. “Looking ahead, we do intend to expand further across Indiana. We’re currently evaluating several opportunities, with plans to grow both our company-operated EagleStores and our dealer network throughout the state over the next 12 to 24 months.”
He added, “This location further west allows us to begin bridging the geographic gap between our home base in Dayton, Ohio, and future opportunities across the Midwest. We’re also actively looking to acquire a multi-store operator in Indiana, which would accelerate our growth and presence in the region.”
Takhar declined to add details about the plan to potentially add to its retail arsenal in the Hoosier State. The company, which has more than 80 mainly gas stations in Ohio, has also made its entry into the Michigan dealer market after partnering with a multi-store operator. It supplies fuel to more than 300 dealer-operator sites in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and more states, offering brands such as bp, Shell and Marathon.
In 2023, the inception of EagleStores marked the establishment of an efficient and trustworthy convenience-store brand, offering people a reliable destination with clear expectations, Takhar said.
This inception signaled the corporate decision to place additional emphasis on the stores as much as the chain has placed on the stations.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.