OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. -- This edition of New Convenience-Store Roundup features new convenience-store openings, sales and shutterings for the month of February 2016.
The unscientifically gathered roundup--gleaned from company announcements, websites, social media and newspapers around the country, among other sources--is by no means complete, but 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.
Many of the stores are owned by independent operators, while others belong to major chains, some part of CSP's Convenience Top 101. Some represent new entrepreneurs, while others are longtime businesses exiting the industry.
The list is arranged by state. Click through each item for more details on each store.
Your store not listed? Please send your new-store announcements to Greg Lindenberg at glindenberg@cspnet.com.
Alabama
An investor in February paid $1.5 million for a Chevron gas station in Mobile, Ala.
Arizona
Running Man Fuels held a grand opening on February 26 in Parker, Ariz. The 24-hour convenience store and gas station with a dozen pumps is an enterprise of the Colorado River Indian Tribes.
California
Minit Mart, operated by TravelCenters of America, opened Minit Mart Wheeler Ridge, in Arvin, Calif., on February 8. The 4,500-square-foot convenience store offers Shell-branded gas at 20 fueling lanes. Inside, the store is stocked with beverages, snacks, pizza, O’Deli’s biscuits, subs and sandwiches; fresh Grab N’ Go items as well as Minit Mart’s private-label World Blends Coffee.
Moller Retail Inc. completed construction and grand opening of its newest Conserv Fuel flagship location in Santa Maria, Calif., in early February. The property consists of a convenience store, car wash and gas station with nine double-sided dispensers. The c-store is 3,560 square feet while the car wash is 1,850 square feet.
Florida
On the Move Corp. announced on February 1 that it has closed on three convenience store/gas stations in Jupiter, Wellington and Boynton Beach, Fla. The c-stores, acquired from a related party, will undergo major improvements in the coming months and all will be rebranded and retrofitted under the On the Move name. The company intends to roll out its fresh-food offerings at these locations through an exclusive partnership with Stewart’s Restaurants Inc., which offers a full menu of burgers, frankfurters, cheesesteaks, fries, Stewart’s Root Beer and ice cream floats, shakes, cones and sundaes.
Illinois
Casey’s General Stores held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 5 to celebrate the grand opening of a new convenience store in Monon, Ill. In addition to offering a multiple-pump gas station with both regular and diesel fuel, the facility comes with a fully equipped convenience store with doughnuts, drinks and pizza by the slice.
Indiana
CountryMark opened a gas station in Muncie, Ind., on February 2. The site features a convenience store with seating and hot food as well as 24/7 access to CountryMark gas and diesel.
Kansas
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened its doors for business on February 4 in Garden City, Kansas. The 24-hour, 5,000-square-foot store features eight fuel pumps, gourmet coffee, fresh fruit, gift items, a Subway restaurant and two roller grills that offers hot dogs, tamales and more.
Massachusetts
On February 4, Cumberland Farms celebrated the grand opening of its new convenience store in Bellingham, Mass. On February 23, it held the grand opening celebration of a new c-store located in Gardner, Mass.
Seasons Corner Market opened a convenience store in Framingham, Mass., in early February.
Minnesota
A former gas station and convenience store located at Westrom’s Corner in Cambridge, Minn., reopened in mid-February. Chicago native Scott Frayn renovated the BP Amoco location. With the size of his lot, he plans on making it into a truckstop. New amenities include Caribou Coffee, Herman’s Bakery products, live bait and convenience-store items. The site also features a touchless car wash.
In mid-February, Casey’s General Stores opened a convenience store in Zimmerman, Minn.
Missouri
Dirt Cheap opened a new Affton, Mo., gas station and convenience store on February 26. It has a drive-thru, walk-in beer cave, liquor and wine, fountain, coffee station and GiGi’s Cafe Express fresh food.
New York
An abandoned convenience store in Glen Falls. N.Y., reopened February 23 after two weeks of work to clean out decaying and expired food and restock. In addition to throwing out almost everything--the beer and soda had expired--workers ripped out floor tiles and repainted the walls, said owner Navjeet Chawla. The deli had to be scoured down to the metal to clean up the remains of rotten meat and cheese. Pipes had frozen in three places, so they also had to be replaced. The Sunoco gas pumps also opened.
North Dakota
Investment group Legacy 7 has purchased a Kum & Go convenience store in Dickinson, N.D., it announced in mid-February. It renamed the store, with Tesoro-branded, as Lucky’s Xpress.
Pennsylvania
The Daniel Perich Group closed on the sale of a gas station in Marshalls Creek, Pa., in early February. Quick Stop Sunoco is an eight-pump/16-hose gas station with a 5,000-square-foot convenience store.
An Exxon gas station, Fill N’ Chill Food Mart and Astro Car Wash in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., closed in late February. Franchisee Sunil Khanna was involved in a rent dispute with National Retail Properties Inc. He said he paid $17,000 in rent and taxes a month and he believes the amount should have been $4,000 to $5,000.
Rhode Island
Seasons Corner Market opened convenience stores in Lincoln and North Providence, R.I., in early February.
Texas
TravelCenters of America opened TA Bernardo in Bernardo, Texas, on February 3. Amenities include a travel store with driver merchandise; beverages, snacks and fresh meal options; Subway, Dunkin’ Donuts and Carl’s Jr. quick-service restaurants (QSRs); 24 gas lanes; eight diesel lanes, five with diesel exhaust fluid (DEF); five showers; a driver’s lounge with DirecTV; laundry; Wi-Fi; ATM; Western Union; truck scales; 65 truck parking spaces; pet walking area; and more. Upgrades will include a four-bay truck service center and 60 more truck parking spaces.
TravelCenters of America also held the grand opening for TA Hillsboro in Hillsboro, Texas, on February 11. It features a Minit Mart convenience store, a Country Pride restaurant and the new Ranger's Sports Café and driving range (see video below).
Speedy Stop held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 12 for a new convenience store in Victoria, Texas.
Utah
Maverik opened new convenience stores on February 17 in Sandy, Utah, and on February 18 in St. George, Utah.
Wisconsin
The Store opened a new convenience store in Wausau, Wis., in late February.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.