New Convenience-Store Roundup for December 2017
By Greg Lindenberg on Dec. 31, 2017CHICAGO -- This edition of New Convenience-Store Roundup features new c-store openings, closings and more for the month of December 2017.
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. convenience stores, gas stations, truckstops and travel centers not previously reported in CSP Daily News. (Those stores are not counted here.)
- Click here for new c-store roundups from previous months, along with other grand-opening and new-store coverage.
Many of the stores listed here are owned by independent operators, while others belong to major chains. And many are part of CSP’s Top 202 list of the largest chains in the industry. Some represent new entrepreneurs, while others are longtime business owners exiting the industry.
Unless otherwise noted, the new locations offer the food, snacks, beverages, tobacco, merchandise, services and amenities found in most c-stores. Most offer gasoline.
Click through for a state-by-state breakdown …
Alabama
CEFCO opened a new c-store in Mobile, Ala., on Dec. 13. The 5,500-square-foot location offers hot and cold Fresh Eats grab-and-go options and the Fresh Yo self-service frozen-yogurt concept.
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Hope Hull, Ala., on Dec. 14. The 12,000-square-foot facility features Chester’s Chicken, Godfather’s Pizza and Subway restaurants.
Net new stores*: 2
*Represents stores opened minus stores closed in this state for the month of this count only; count does not include acquisitions, new ownership, rebranding or raze-and-rebuilds. It also does not include any store openings or closings previously reported in CSP Daily News. Other c-stores not captured by this count may have opened or closed in the state.
Arkansas
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Pine Bluff, Ark., on Dec. 7. The facility features Subway and Chester’s Chicken restaurants.
Net new stores: 1
California
Pilot Flying J opened a new Flying J Travel Center in Tehachapi, Calif., in early December. It features 16 gasoline fueling positions, two RV fueling lanes and nine diesel lanes.
Net new stores: 1
Colorado
On Dec. 8, Kum & Go opened a new, more than 6,200-square-foot c-store in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Brush, Colo., on Dec. 14. It features a Carl’s Jr. restaurant.
Net new stores: 2
Connecticut
Mitchell's Gas Station and Country Store in Bethel, Conn., opened in mid-December.
Net new stores: 1
Florida
7-Eleven opened a new c-store in Naples, Fla., on Dec. 7.
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Bushnell, Fla., on Dec. 14. The 11,000-square-foot store features a Arby’s restaurant. The site has a Love’s Truck Tire Care center.
Clark’s Pump N Shop opened a new c-store in The Villages, Fla., on Dec. 16.
Wawa opened two c-stores in Jacksonville, Fla., and Orange Park, Fla., on Dec. 13. It also opened a new c-store in Deerfield Beach, Fla., on Dec. 22.
Net new stores: 6
Georgia
Motiva held the grand openings of two 76 gas stations, one Dec. 7 in Covington, Ga., and one Dec. 8 in Milledgeville, Ga.
Net new stores: 2
Idaho
Illinois
Marathon Petroleum opened a new Speedway c-store Dec. 7 in Lake Barrington, Ill. It features a 20-pump gas station and a Speedy Cafe restaurant.
Thorntons opened a new c-store in Lombard, Ill., on Dec. 21.
Net new stores: 2
Indiana
A new VP Racing gas station opened Dec. 19 in Decatur, Ind. Duncan Oil supplies the fuel.
Net new stores: 1
Iowa
Kum & Go opened a new, more than 6,200-square-foot c-store Dec. 14 in Williamsburg, Iowa.
The Depot Express opened a new c-store Dec. 15 in Liberty, Iowa.
Elliott Oil opened a new BP gas station and c-store in Ottumwa, Iowa, on Dec. 19. It has five gas pumps, one of which is its “Bulldog” pump. The station donates 3 cents from every gallon dispensed at that pump to athletic programs at Ottumwa High School, the home of the Bulldogs. The store features the company’s first liquor section, as well as Champs Chicken, Godfather’s Pizza and a climate-controlled humidor for cigars.
Net new stores: 3
Kentucky
Maryland
Wawa opened a new c-store in Grasonville, Md., on Dec. 15.
On Dec. 30, Royal Farms opened a new c-store in Forest Hill, Md.
Net new stores: 2
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
The Bemidji Cooperative Association opened Cenex North, a gas station and c-store in Bemidji, Minn., in December. It includes an A&W Restaurant with a drive-thru, Piccadilly Circus Pizza, Farmer Brothers and Caribou Coffee, and a car wash.
Net new stores: 1
Missouri
Kum & Go opened new, more than 6,200-square-foot c-stores in Ozark, Mo., on Dec. 7, Springfield, Mo., on Dec. 14 and Lebanon, Mo., on Dec. 21.
Net new stores: 3
New Jersey
In mid-December, 7-Eleven opened a new c-store in East Brunswick, N.J. The 3,000-square-foot location has a larger grocery section than most 7-Eleven stores.
Wawa opened a new c-store in Somerset, N.J., on Dec. 15.
Net new stores: 2
Ohio
On Dec. 1, Par Mar Stores opened a new c-store in Parma, Ohio.
In early December, a Take a Break c-store opened in Beavercreek, Ohio.
Terry’s Service Station, a full-service BP gas station and auto repair shop in Piqua, Ohio, closed in early December after 51 years following the retirement of owner Terry Kinsinger, who purchased the location in 1999.
The New Waterford Food Mart, a c-store with CITGO fuel owned by Harry Yadav, opened in New Waterford, Ohio, on Dec. 11.
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Bellville, Ohio, on Dec. 14. The 13,000-square-foot facility features Subway and Taco John’s restaurants
Net new stores: 3
Pennsylvania
Rutter’s Farm Stores opened a new c-store in St. Thomas, Pa., on Dec. 5.
BFS Cos. opened a new c-store on Dec. 8 in Youngwood, Pa.
Wawa opened a new c-store in Richboro, Pa., on Dec. 15.
Net new stores: 3
South Carolina
Spinx opened a new c-store in Moncks Corner, S.C., on Dec. 14. It has 18 fuel pumps, a truck diesel island, more than 40 parking spaces and a 6,188-square-foot store—its largest to date—with a full-service kitchen. It also is the site of the company’s first express tunnel car wash, which it expects to open in early 2018.
Alimentation Couche-Tard’sCircle K opened a new c-store in Lexington, S.C., on Dec. 15.
Net new stores: 2
Tennessee
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Eastview, Tenn., on Dec. 7. The facility features a Subway restaurant.
Net new stores: 1
Texas
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Bridgeport, Texas, on Dec. 7. It also opened a new location in Troy, Texas, on Dec. 18. Both facilities feature an Arby’s restaurant.
CEFCO opened a new c-store in Hewitt, Texas, on Dec. 15. The 5,500-square-foot location offers hot and cold Fresh Eats grab-and-go options, a Fresh Yo self-service frozen-yogurt concept and a Which Wich restaurant.
Net new stores: 3
Utah
A new Touch n' Go c-store opened Dec. 20 at the Salt Lake City International Airport along the main access road leading to the rental return parking lot. The 8,400-square-foot facility includes a drive-thru window, Beans and Brews Coffee House and Burger King and Costa Vida restaurants. In-store monitors display flight information. The site also has a 2,600-square-foot, 24-hour Chevron gas station with an electric-vehicle (EV) charging station. Kellerstrass Oil Co. built the $4 million facility with HB Boys and Big D Construction. Kellerstrass operates the facility and HB Boys is the third-party manager responsible for daily operations.
Net new stores: 1
West Virginia
Par Mar Stores acquired Lynn’s Self-Serve in Elkins, W.Va., in early December.
BFS Cos. opened a new c-store Dec. 29 in Weirton, W.Va.
Net new stores: 2
Wisconsin
Kwik Trip held grand openings of new c-stores in Marinette, Wis., on Dec. 5, Green Bay, Wis., on Dec. 7, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., on Dec. 8, Park Falls, Wis., on Dec. 15, Ashland, Wis., on Dec. 18, and Sheboygan Falls, Wis., on Dec. 20.
Net new stores: 6
TOTAL NEW STORES FOR DECEMBER 2017: 54
TOTAL NEW STORES FOR 2017: 372
* To be sure your locations are listed in this roundup, please send new-store announcements to Greg Lindenberg at glindenberg@winsightmedia.com.