A Look Inside Moto Mart’s New C-Store
By Greg Lindenberg on Feb. 14, 2019BELLEVILLE, Ill. -- Moto Inc. opened a new convenience store in late December in its hometown of Belleville, Ill. The store is the chain’s 79th Moto Mart location.
• Moto Mart is No. 87 inCSP’s 2018 Top 202 ranking of c-store chains by number of retail outlets.
Take a look at the company’s new c-store design …
Welcome
FKG Oil Co., a wholly owned operating subsidiary of Moto Inc., operates the 5,900-square-foot store under its own fuel brand. It has eight fuel dispensers offering a total of 16 fueling positions.
Grand opening
The store held a soft opening on Dec. 20, 2018.
“We found surprisingly few kinks to work out,” Robert Forsyth, president of Moto Inc., told CSP Daily News. “But as soon as everything is perfect, we will do a thoughtful ribbon-cutting, grand opening and a long series of promotion-based events and activities to build a large and committed customer base.”
The grand opening is slated for Feb. 16.
Design
The store features “a large, integrated and very creative design,” said Forsyth.
“Everything from the restroom doors to the sinks, light fixtures, ceiling height, building materials, cabinetry, colors [and] historical elements are entirely new to our company,” he said. “This is because we wiped the slate clean, hired an outside design firm and carefully and slowly created what we believe is an industry-leading look and customer experience. The premise of our design efforts was to build a store that can take on even the very best in our industry. Design is tantamount—everything fits together perfectly and serenely to offer our customers a high-functioning yet peaceful way to augment their busy lifestyles.”
Crave Counter
The foodservice program is the company’s own brand, Crave Counter, with upscale, made-to-order recipes developed in its own test kitchen.
“Food is front and center, literally, in the building,” Forsyth said. “We are in the business of filling stomachs as much as filling cars and pantries.”
The store also has an inside dining counter, outside eating area and a prepared food drive-thru.
Mojoe’s
The coffee program is also Moto’s own brand, Mojoe’s, which it developed and refined. “We believe coffee is king,” said Forsyth. “We have pulled out all the stops to offer a superpremium coffee experience.”
Fountain
The fountain program has a “high-tech” look and customer interface that makes even newer units “look antiquated,” Forsyth said.
Beer cave
Merchandise
The company has “refined and modernized” every merchandise category said Forsyth. “Whether it be wine and hard liquor, premium grab-and go sandwiches or a cleaner and more disciplined pay counter, our management team has exercised all our collective experience to reimagine each merchandise category and leverage sales potential.”
Restrooms
Gaming
The new Moto Mart also has a gaming room. Illinois allows five slot machines, according to Forsyth.
Car wash
The site also features a car wash, in a “large, upscale building,” said Forsyth.
Synergy
“While none of these elements are unique to our industry, it is the careful design and the way all the pieces fit together and are integrally presented that will hopefully delight our customers and provide an experience they are eager to repeat,” Forsyth said about the amenities the new location offers.