JEAN, Nev. -- At 50,000 square feet in size with 96 fueling positions and 60 restroom stalls, Terrible Herbst’s newest site is much more than a convenience store. Dubbed Terrible’s Road House, the store, located across from the Gold Strike Hotel & Gambling Hall in Jean, Nev., is intended to be a first—or last—stop in Nevada for motorists traveling from Las Vegas to Southern California, or vice versa.
“At Terrible’s Road House, we can take care of all your needs, whether you are just beginning or ending your Las Vegas vacation,” says Mark Walters, vice president of marketing for Terrible Herbst, a Las Vegas-based chain of 115 c-stores in southern Nevada, Utah, Arizona and California.
Walters says the Road House, which opened in July, has been a focus of the company for the past two years. It is a “passion project” of the company’s leadership team to serve the needs of motorists in the estimated 50,000 cars that travel daily along a nearby stretch of I-15. That makes the usually media-shy retailer’s outreach to the press to announce the grand opening of Terrible’s Road House a necessity and a pleasure.
Besides boasting the largest beer cave in the state and the largest Chevron-branded fueling site in the world, Terrible’s Road House also has first-of-its-kind boutiques and offerings, Walters says. The convenience store looks and feels more like an attraction, stocked not only with food, snacks, drinks and sweet treats but also exclusive merchandise and novelty items for the huge population of travelers commuting between Las Vegas and Southern California.
Decor highlights include actual airplanes hanging from the rafters, such as a Beechcraft B19, a 1966 Beechcraft Musketeer and a 1968 Cessna. There also are several vehicles from Herbst Motorsports, including Riley Herbst’s Nos Energy NASCAR vehicle and the Herbst Landshark Trophy Truck. And let’s not forget the 13-foot-tall Bigfoot that inhabits the store.
“For motorists coming to Las Vegas, Terrible’s is the place to stock up on snacks, drinks and other party items,” Walters says. “For those leaving Las Vegas, Terrible’s is the place to enjoy a soothing hit of pure oxygen in the Recovery Zone, refuel with healthy snacks and buy Las Vegas souvenirs, including official Golden Knights and Raiders merchandise and more.”
Stores Within a Store
Terrible’s Road House features several in-store boutiques.
The Red Bull Lounge houses a 30-foot-long Red Bull can, the only one of its kind. Red Bull drinkers can buy a variety of their favorite drinks, as well as official Red Bull merchandise. This is the only place in the country where official Red Bull merchandise can be purchased in person, Walters says.
Jack Link’s Wild Side store includes a 13-foot-tall statue of the jerky company’s famous Sasquatch mascot. This is the only Jack Link’s store outside the company’s original location in Minneapolis.
The Candy Village is a 4,000-square-foot candy store offering old-fashioned nostalgic candy in bulk, such as Bottle Pops, Bazooka Bubble Gum, candy necklaces, Chick-o-Sticks, gumdrops, licorice and Push Pops. Terrible Herbst worked with Mars Wrigley on the candy section, which includes a variety of chocolate products from Mars Inc., as well as a limited-edition vending machine that allows patrons to choose from a multitude of flavors and colors to create their own custom Skittles blend.
The City Lights Distillery shop includes a replica of the still local company 17A Stillery uses to produce its Las Vegas Moonshine.
A fan merchandise section features official merchandise from Vegas’ professional sports teams, including gear for the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights and the soon-to-be NFL Las Vegas Raiders. There’s also a gift shop featuring Nevada souvenir items.
The Advance Auto Parts Boutique features more than 500 items compatible with most car makes and models for quick car repairs.
Eat, Drink and Play
The massive c-store also offers several food and beverage options. This includes the third White Castle restaurant to open in southern Nevada, Walters says. The chain’s burgers are available in the store or via a drive-thru, the first in southern Nevada for the chain.
A 30-foot-long coffee bar features nitro cold brew and a variety of blends, roasts and flavors. Coffee products are provided by Javo Beverage, Chicago.
And what Terrible Herbst calls “the largest beer cave in Nevada” offers a large selection of craft beer from Las Vegas, in addition to domestic and imported beers. Legal-age customers also can purchase wine and liquor.
Because the store is on the road to Las Vegas, entertainment is a big focus. For kids, there are arcade rides, including three carousels inside the store.
Adults can watch highlights of Monster Energy athletes in the Monster Energy Lounge while enjoying a favorite energy drink flavor. Weary motorists who are heading home after a weekend of partying can visit The Recovery Zone, which offers oxygen shots, vitamin-infused recovery drinks and other products to help customers relieve their hangovers.
And it wouldn’t be a Nevada location without 15 slot machines and video poker.
“We wanted to capture everyone leaving Las Vegas and everyone coming to Vegas from California,” Walters says. Assuming that happens, this store won’t be one of a kind for long: Plans are in the works for more stores just like Terrible’s Road House.
STORE STATS
Size: 50,000 square feet
Address: 22265 Hwy 161, Jean, Nev.
Fueling spots: 96
Notable details:
- 60 restroom stalls
- Large beer cave
- Several in-store boutiques
- Slot machines and video poker
- Arcade rides
Photograph by Adam Shane
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