OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. -- This edition of New Convenience-Store Roundup features new convenience-store openings, sales and closings for the month of March 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.
Arizona
CST Brands opened a Corner Store convenience store in Mesa, Ariz., on March 31.
Florida
Pacific Gold Corp. said on March 1 that its subsidiary, Retail Energy Corp. has entered into an agreement to acquire a lease for an operating gas station and retail store in central Florida. The lease is for five years with options for two additional five-year periods. The acquisition price of the lease is $325,000, including $250,000 to be paid at closing and a $75,000, 12-month note with 6% interest. REC will also be required to provide gas and inventory deposits of $40,000 each.
An investment group tied to High Street Retail USA has sold a convenience store it developed in Deerfield Beach, Fla., in mid-March. A 1031 exchange paid $5.26 million for the newly built Cumberland Farms, Sharon Dresser, president of High Street Retail, told The Real Deal. Dresser said the partnership purchased the property in January 2015 after securing permits and the tenant, Cumberland Farms. They knocked down the existing building and turned it over to Cumberland Farms, which completed the new building in November.
Georgia
QuikTrip opened a convenience store on March 31, it’s 129th in the Atlanta market.
Illinois
TravelCenters of America opened a new location in Wilmington, Ill., on March 22. Petro Wilmington features 229 truck parking spaces and more than 120 car parking spaces; eight diesel lanes with diesel exhaust fluid (DEF); 12 Shell-branded gasoline fueling points; a five-bay Petro:Lube facility; RoadSquad emergency roadside service; a 140-seat Iron Skillet full-service restaurant; an 18-seat Charleys Philly Steak quick-service restaurant (QSR); a 4,900-square-foot Minit Mart travel store with Cool Cup fountain beverages, World Blends Coffee and to-go offerings featuring fried chicken, pizza and a variety of healthy options; nine driver showers operated by an automated reservation system; a StayFit fitness room; an outdoor walking trail; a laundry facility; professional driver movie and TV rooms; and more.
A 7-Eleven convenience store in Chicago in Wrigleyville, across from Wrigley Field, relied on by Cubs fans and neighbors, closed on March 30 to make way for the new development.
Indiana
A new CountryMark fuel station opened in early March north of Lafayette, Ind. It features a convenience store as well as 24/7 access to CountryMark gasoline and diesel fuel.
Kansas
Bill Stephan’s BP gas station in Bonner Springs, Kansas, which opened in 1959, closed on March 26.
Massachusetts
Cumberland Farms opened convenience stores on March 17 in Walpole and Westford, Mass.
Michigan
After more than 30 years with the 7-Eleven chain, a Petoskey, Mich., convenience store become an independent operation. J.J. Tuncap, who has been a franchised operator of the store for about a decade. Following a closure on March 17 to allow for final de-branding and transition steps, it reopened on March 18, with the name Mitchell Street Market. Fountain beverages will remain available in a variety of sizes, and it will refer to the slushes as “Bay Breezers.” As part of the transition, the store also will be switching to a new coffee line, Beantown Gourmet Coffee.
Minnesota
Cambridge BP gas station and convenience store in Cambridge, Minn., held a grand opening on March 18.
Missouri
On March 31, Kum & Go opened the doors to its newly built location in Republic, Mo. The store is a more than 6,200-square-foot Marketplace design prototype. It offers elevated food experience with Kum & Go’s Go Fresh Market, with open kitchen layout, clear aisles and easy-to-navigate zones; seating inside with heated patio seating outside; complimentary Wi-Fi and charging stations for customers; a beer cave; and more.
New York
The family-run Nor-Bell gas station in Queens in New York closed in March after 50 years serving the Bayside community.
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened its second location in New York on March 31 in Canaan. The new travel stop is home to Love’s second location with a Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant. It also features a Subway restaurant, gourmet coffee, an expanded fountain drink selection, fresh fruit, gift items, a game room, five showers, 54 truck-parking spaces, RFID cardless fueling, CAT scales and a Love’s Truck Tire Care center.
North Carolina
Sheetz opened new convenience stores in Hickory and Burlington, N.C., in late March.
South Carolina
Parker’s opened a new drive-thru convenience store in Okatie, S.C., near the entrance to Callawassie Island. It features a hot deli serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, including offerings prepared fresh on-site. Highlights include a full breakfast bar with eggs, bacon, sausage, cheese grits and biscuits, as well as Southern fried chicken fingers, homemade macaroni and cheese, vegetables and daily specials. Freshly prepared foods and non-alcoholic retail items are available at the drive-thru window. The store sells Parker’s gas, the company’s signature Chewy Ice, fountain drinks, freshly brewed tea and lemonade, gourmet coffee, fruit, salads, 28-degree beer, vape products, cell phone accessories and more. The store offers 12 fueling positions, selling gasoline as well as non-ethanol fuel and diesel.
Tennessee
TravelCenters of America opened a Minit Mart convenience store, a new Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and a Shell gasoline offering at the TA in Caryville, Tenn., in early March. The Minit Mart offers Cool Cup fountain beverages, World Blends Coffee and fresh food offering from the onsite O’Deli’s kitchen, including healthy snack choices. A newly remodeled and expanded truck parking lot, diesel islands, CAT truck scale and a professional driver entrance are scheduled to open in late May 2016.
A Sunrise Convenience Store and Mobile gas station owned by Foster Blue Water Oil LLC opened in Memphis, Tenn., on March 16. It includes four gas pumps along with a 6,000-square-foot convenience store with a drive-thru window.
Texas
Stripes Convenience Stores held grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremonies for:
- A 6,000-square-foot Stripes in Livingston, Texas, on March 8.
- A 7,000-square-foot Stripes in Pecos, Texas, on March 16.
- A 7,000-square-foot Stripes in Odessa, Texas, on March 21.
- A 6,000-square-foot Stripes in Houston on March 29.
Each of the locations features from 16 to 23 Sunoco-branded fuel dispenser options that include unleaded and super unleaded with a truck diesel station; a Laredo Taco Company; a dining area that seats 20; a beer “super cooler”; “the wall,” a fountain with more than 2.1 billion possible flavor combinations; and more.
CEFCO Convenience Stores re-opened a location in Panhandle, Texas, on March 24. It is the company’s 23rd 5,500-square-foot prototype. This latest-generation store reflects the latest design and incorporates a number of enhancements made possible by an open, fresh design with modern treatments and upgraded finishes. It features hot and cold "Fresh Eats” grab-and-go offerings, “Fresh Joe” coffee and other beverages. It also features CEFCO’s first Sonic restaurant. The combined square footage for this co-brand location is 7,500 square feet. It has 12 gasoline fueling positions, as well as four side island diesel lanes.
Wyoming
Hank’s Roadside Bar & Grill has been serving the Wright, Wyo., community and travelers for 28 years as a bar, restaurant and catering business. It opened a full-service Sinclair travel plaza on March 16, owner Hank Pridgeon said. The travel plaza was part of a $1.5 million remodeling project and added gas and diesel fuel pumps, truck parking, showers, a laundromat and a convenience store.
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