New Convenience-Store Roundup for July 2024

This edition of CSP’s New Convenience-Store Roundup features new-to-industry (NTI) c-store openings, as well as closings, that took place in July 2024.

North Carolina topped the state ranking with the most stores opened in a month, with six new locations. Notably, five The Store locations closed in Wisconsin as part of the Mountain Express Oil bankruptcy.

The unscientifically gathered roundup—gleaned from company announcements, websites, email, social media and newspapers around the country, among other sources—is by no means complete, but it serves as a monthly competitive snapshot of newly opened or closed U.S. c-stores, gas stations, truckstops and travel centers.

• Click here for new c-store roundups from previous months, along with other grand opening and new-store coverage. And click here for coverage of convenience industry mergers-and-acquisitions activity.

Many of the stores listed here are owned by independent operators, while others belong to major chains. Some are part of CSP’s Top 202 ranking of c-store chains by size. Some of the owners and operators are new entrepreneurs, and some are industry veterans.

Click through for the state-by-state tally ...

7-Eleven opened a new convenience store in Stuart, Florida, on July 30. The 4,500-square-foot store includes eight multi-pump gasoline dispensers, including auto diesel, on a 7-Eleven-branded forecourt.

Net new stores*: 1

*Represents new-to-industry stores opened minus stores closed in this state for the month of this count only. Other c-stores not captured by this count may have opened or closed in the state. The roundup does not include razed-and-rebuilt, remodeled or replacement stores, acquisitions, new ownership or temporary closings.

Casey’s General Stores opened a new convenience store in Iowa City, Iowa, on July 11.

Kwik Trip opened new convenience stores in Milford, Iowa, on July 11 and North Liberty, Iowa, on July 18.

Net new stores: 3

Larry's Shortstop, a convenience store in Topeka, Kansas, closed its doors on July 30. Its previous owner, Larry Jones, retired in September 2022 after 37 years of operating the station. Before closing its doors, Larry's was part of the SQRL gas station network. Handwritten "Closed" signs are posted outside the store, but offered no reason for the closing. The inside of the store appears empty. Joseph Blake Smith, Little Rock, Arkansas-based SQRL founder and former CEO, agreed to sell the convenience stores to Gas Hub Investments LLC, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for an undisclosed amount.

Net new stores: 0

Sheetz opened a new convenience store in Bowie, Maryland, on July 11.

Net new stores: 1

Kwik Trip opened a new convenience store in Becker, Minnesota, on July 25.

Net new stores: 1

Making a $3 million investment, Stewart’s Shops opened a new convenience store in Lloyd, New York, on July 18. Inside, it offers Refreshers beverages, snacks, sandwiches and ice cream. The large open food case provides ample space for food-to-go options, and the store’s new turbo ovens allow it to make hot, fresh pizza in minutes. Outside, it has picnic tables and a bike rack. Fuel includes regular, premium, non-ethanol gasoline or diesel.

Net new stores: 1

Royal Farms opened three new convenience stores in Greenville, Plymouth and Windsor, North Carolina, on July 8, July 22 and July 29, respectively. The retailer hosted ticketed soft opening events at each new location where customers check out the new store and received a free meal from the soft opening menu.

Sheetz opened a new convenience store in Hampstead, North Carolina, the chain’s southernmost location. It also opened a new c-store in Wilmington, North Carolina, on July 30.

7-Eleven opened a new convenience store in Clayton, North Carolina, on July 18. The 4,650-square-foot store includes eight multi-pump gasoline dispensers, including auto diesel, on a 7-Eleven-branded forecourt.

Net new stores: 6

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Delphos, Ohio, on July 25. It features a Hardee’s quick-service restaurant (QSR).

Sheetz opened new convenience stores in Lancaster, Ohio, on July 17, and in Avon, Ohio, off Interstate 90, on July 25.

Net new stores: 3

QuikTrip closed a convenience store across from the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma, on July 31. “It is critically important to us that every QuikTrip across our 1,000-plus store footprint delivers the quality in-store experience that our customers have come to know, love and expect. We regularly evaluate our stores to ensure they’re meeting customer experience and performance expectations. Our location along E 11th Street first opened its doors nearly four decades ago. Today, its store layout and small footprint are not consistent with our more modern stores and are unable to deliver the hallmark QT experience we and our customers expect. We invite our customers to visit one of our 51 other locations in Tulsa,” the company said in a statement.

Net new stores: 0

Wawa closed a convenience store in Port Richmond in Philadelphia on July 9, citing an inability to continue meeting the needs of its customers. The store had been open for more than 45 years. “While this was a very difficult decision to make, we have determined that this store cannot deliver the experience customers deserve or continue to meet performance expectations,” an official Wawa notice read. “And while this location will close, it in no way impacts our continued commitment to the Philadelphia community.” The notice also stated that all employees at the recently shuttered store have been offered the opportunity to work at another Wawa location. This is the eighth Wawa location to close in Philadelphia area since 2020.

7-Eleven opened a new convenience store with a Raise the Roost Chicken & Biscuits restaurant in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, on July 25. The 5,000-square-foot store includes eight multi-pump gasoline dispensers, including auto diesel, on a 7-Eleven-branded forecourt.

Net new stores: 0

The Spinx Co., opened a new convenience store in Greenwood, South Carolina, on July 25. It features a deli and a car wash.

Net new stores: 1

Casey’s General Stores opened a new goodstop convenience store in Milan, Tennessee, on July 9.

Net new stores: 1

Eskimo Hut, a drive-thru convenience store that specializes in frozen daiquiris, margaritas and other alcohol beverages to go, opened a new location in Laredo, Texas, on July 26. The facility occupies 1,500 square feet and cost an estimated $150,000.

7-Eleven opened a new convenience store in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 30. The 5,000-square-foot store includes six multi-pump gasoline dispensers, including auto diesel, on a 7-Eleven-branded forecourt.

Randy’s Exxon, the only full-service gas station and state vehicle inspection center in Seguin, Texas, closed on July 31. Owner Randy Moore is closing up shop after 40 years following the state’s move to no longer require safety inspections starting Jan. 1, 2025.

Net new stores: 1

A new Amazon Go convenience store opened in Bellevue, Washington, on July 31. The 1,400-square-foot cashierless location uses Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology. This location showcases local vendors such as Macrina Bakery, Molly’s Salads and Alki Bakery.

Net new stores: 1

Kwik Trip opened a new convenience store in Baldwin, Wisconsin, on July 25.

Five convenience stores under the brand The Store controlled by Team Schierl closed in Lena, Stevens Point, Appleton, Rosholt and Marshfield, Wisconsin, on July 31, as part of the declaration of bankruptcy by Mountain Express Oil, the company that owns its buildings and land.

Net new stores: -4

NEW STORES OPENED IN JULY 2024: 25

STORES CLOSED IN JULY 2024: 7

NET NEW STORES IN JULY 2024: 18

TOTAL NET NEW STORES IN 2024: 221

To be sure your locations are listed in upcoming roundups, please send new-store announcements and other news to Greg Lindenberg at greg.lindenberg@informa.com