New Convenience-Store Roundup for October 2016
By Greg Lindenberg on Nov. 27, 2016CHICAGO -- This edition of New Convenience-Store Roundup features new convenience-store openings, closings and stores under new ownership for the month of October 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 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.
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.
Click through for a state-by-state breakdown …
Arizona
QuikTrip opened a new convenience store in Avondale, Ariz., on Oct. 27.
Arkansas
E-Z Mart closed a Decatur, Ark., c-store on Oct. 6.
A Jacksonville, Ark., Valero gas station sold for $1.2 million, and a package of three c-stores in Lonoke County in Arkansas sold for $2.8 million in October.
California
A new Circle K c-store with Valero fuel opened in Magalia, Calif., on Oct. 13, and another opened in Anaheim, Calif., on Oct. 14.
Florida
CEFCO Convenience Stores opened a new c-store in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., on Oct. 31. It is a 5,500-square-foot prototype location that features the hot and cold Fresh Eats grab-and-go offerings, including the Fresh Yo self-service frozen yogurt concept. The location also will include a Which Wich quick-service restaurant (QSR).
Idaho
Jacksons opened a new c-store on Oct. 14 in Caldwell, Idaho.
Illinois
The Milton Food and Liquor store opened for business in Alton, Ill., in a new building in mid-October. Owner Andy Patel said it took about a year to build the new c-store after demolishing the half-century-old building last year.
Indiana
Giant Eagle opened GetGo Cafe + Market locations in Plainfield, Ind., on Oct. 14.
Kansas
QuikTrip opened a new c-store in Wichita, Kan., on Oct. 27.
Louisiana
Love’s Travel Stop & Country Stores opened a new travel stop in in Port Barre, La., on Oct. 6. The 5,000-square-foot facility features a Subway restaurant, 16 truck parking spaces, two showers, RFID cardless fueling, CAT scales and more.
Maryland
A new Circle K c-store opened in Walkersville, Md., on Oct. 1. It offers Krispy Krunchy Chicken and a Boar's Head deli; it is also co-branded with Liberty fuel.
Wawa opened a new c-store in Elkton, Md., above, on Oct. 28.
Massachusetts
East Side Enterprises opened a new c-store in Pembroke, Mass., on Oct. 14.
Minnesota
Kwik Trip opened new c-stores in Otsego, Minn., on Oct. 12 and Sauk Rapids, Minn., on Oct. 15.
Mississippi
On Oct. 8, Tim and Pam Long opened the Dixie Country Store in Itawamba County, Miss., above, in what had been Smith’s Store from 1939 to 1992. The store was a Lion gas station and later a Pure gas station. The Longs do not plan to sell fuel. The store sells soda, snacks, laundry detergent, dish detergent, motor oil, coolant, washer fluid and toiletry items.
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new travel stop in Gulfport, Miss., on Oct. 20. The 10,000-square-foot facility features McDonald’s and Chester’s Chicken restaurants, 97 truck parking spaces, seven showers, RFID cardless fueling, CAT scales, a Love’s Truck Tire Care Center and more.
New Jersey
QuickChek opened a new, 4,989-square-foot c-store on Oct. 11 in Jackson, N.J. It features subs, sandwiches, wraps, salads, hot and cold beverages, indoor seating for 11 people and outdoor seating for eight, eight gasoline dispensers and 55 parking spaces.
New York
Longway’s Truck Stop near Watertown, N.Y., closed its doors on Oct. 7. A spokesperson for Mirabito Holdings, which operated the location, said the company evaluated the facility and decided that it did not warrant the investment to keep it open.
Stewart’s Shops held a grand opening for a new c-store on Oct. 7 in Liverpool, N.Y., above.
Ohio
Truenorth opened a new c-store in Independence, Ohio, above, on Oct. 1.
Speedway held the grand opening for a new gas station and c-store in Enon, Ohio, on Oct. 8.
Giant Eagle opened GetGo Cafe + Market locations in Wadsworth, Ohio, in mid-October and in Springfield Township, Ohio, on Oct. 27.
Oklahoma
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new travel stop in West Siloam Springs, Okla., on Oct. 27. The 5,000-square-foot facility features Godfather’s Pizza and Chester’s Chicken restaurants, 41 truck parking spaces, two showers, RFID cardless fueling, CAT scales, a Love’s Truck Tire Care Center and more.
Pennsylvania
Rutter’s Farm Stores held the grand opening for a new c-store in Mercersburg, Pa., on Oct. 11. It is the first Rutter’s location to have a beer cave.
Texas
Speedy Stop opened a new c-store in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 13.
Stripes opened a new c-store in Seguin, Texas, on Oct. 27 with a Laredo Taco Company, 20 Sunoco dispensers with gas and diesel, a car wash, a dining area that seats 28 and an outdoor patio that seats 20. It also opened a new c-store in Houston on Oct. 27 with a Laredo Taco Company, 20 Sunoco dispensers with gas and diesel, a car wash, a dining area that seats 30 and an outdoor patio that seats 20. Both stores are approximately 7,000 square feet.
Vermont
A Cumberland Farms c-store in St. Johnsbury, Vt., closed Oct. 3.
West Virginia
Sheetz opened a new c-store in Charleston, W.Va., on Oct. 20. It features the chain’s made-to-order (MTO) menu, touchscreen order terminals, inside seating, a drive-thru and a car wash.
Wisconsin
Kwik Trip opened new c-stores in Mt. Pleasant, Wis., on Oct. 17, Superior, Wis., above, on Oct. 30 and Menomonie, Wis., on Oct. 26. It also celebrated the grand reopening of a c-store in Richland Center, Wis., in late October.
Wyoming
Owners John and Tracy Pannunzio opened JT’s Country Store in Yoder, Wyo. The c-store opened its doors for a trial run on Oct. 1, then celebrated its grand opening on Oct. 4.