There are many current convenience-store operators who cut their teeth in other professions before establishing a new way forward in the c-store channel.
Jon Sanders, owner of Reef Convenience Store, Spring Lake, Michigan, is a former accountant who keeps Reef operating strongly thanks to his ability to create frugal and smart budgets.
Pat Determan, proprietor of Clinton, Iowa-based Lyons Filling Station, is a former beer distributor who hatched a vision of one day running a c-store; inspiration came while delivering product to his c-store customers—and creating a new vision.
A former supermarket buyer and category manager for Wegmans Food Markets, Alex Weatherall parlayed that experience to operating his 3,300-sqare foot Sherborn Market, Sherborn, Massachusetts.
Enter Mississippi restaurateur Rob Stinson, owner of at least two local haunts: Salute Italian Seafood Restaurant in Gulfport; and The Reef seafood restaurant in Biloxi.
Stinson has partnered with Chevron and other investors to debut this summer 90 Express, a convenience store that sells fuel (16 fueling positions) and liquor store 90 Proof Liquor positioned adjacent to the station.
With a ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 24, Stinson calls 90 Express “more than just a gas station and convenience store. We’re excited to give the public a needed product,” Stinson told local television station WLOX that toured the unit in August, during its first week.
“What do they want when they’re here on the beach besides just the gas? They want a good, safe environment where they can get some great food. Grab a bite, go outside under our roof and snack,” said Stinson.
Building on Existing Skill Sets
Similar to other c-store owners who cut their teeth in far-reaching capacities, Stinson is leveraging his restaurant experience to the early success of 90 Express.
In addition—and leading up to 90 Express going live—Stinson familiarized himself with the retail channel by touring local c-stores. He attended various conventions and sampled food. One key revelation he made: a spotless women’s restroom and well-lit exterior are paramount to sustaining success in this industry.
With food, Stinson is not reinventing the wheel—and doesn’t have to go far to find a compelling strategy: his chef at Salute, Cory Fazzio, has created a grab-and-go menu for 90 Express that supports all three dayparts.
(Salute is renowned for classic Italian dishes made from the finest traditional ingredients, as well as Coastal-inspired seafood fare.)
The kitchen staff at 90 Express turns out freshly cooked meals and snacks. In one display case, cinnamon rolls, pistachio muffins, apple fritters and other breakfast delicacies are positioned—a nice accompaniment to the New Orleans Roast-brand coffee and tea that’s available. 90 Express also offers up regular or spicy chicken tenders on biscuit or croissant, fried and scrambled eggs, sausage links, patties, grilled or candied bacon, hash brown sticks, French toast, pancake sticks and more.
With 90 Express’ lunch and dinner menu, patrons can dive into crawfish, chicken egg rolls, pizza sticks, corn dogs, meat pies, crawfish pies, mashed potatoes with brown or white gravy, fried gator and boudin balls. There’s also hamburger steak and gravy with onions, vegetables, fried pork chops, catfish and shrimp.
Operationally Sound
In addition to a renowned chef whose reputation precedes him, someone has to keep the store hitting on all operational cylinders. Stinson relies on both Denis Trochesset, who’s worked with Stinson for 22 years, to run the operation, while Krista DeBrock, a c-store industry veteran, serves as general manager.
To reinforce a safe retail environment, Stinson has collaborated with the Biloxi Police Department on a program called Fuse Net. The store has 67 cameras providing 24-hour security.
“There are cameras everywhere, literally, and we want people to know that that is how safe they are,” Stinson told WLOX. “I’m hoping other businesses will see what we’ve done, and I want to do that in my business to create a safe environment.”
The reason for 90 Express arriving on the Gulfport/Biloxi scene is one of the same motivators that have driven operators such as Sanders, Determan and Sherborn to launch first-time careers in the industry: a local need for quality shopping that’s safe, clean, convenient and competitively priced. A local Gulfport study showed a serious need for fuel and food retailing.
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