MISSOULA, Mont. & INDIANAPOLIS -- TravelCenters of America LLC, operator of the TA and Petro Stopping Centers travel center brands, has announced its network expansion into the state of Montana with the acquisition and rebranding of a site at Interstate 90, Exit 96, in Missoula.
The opening of this location raises the number of travel centers in the TA and Petro Stopping Centers branded chain to 249, now located in 43 states.
The company will close the site's restaurant when the location opens, but the restaurant will undergo extensive remodeling to become a sitdown Country Pride restaurant.
Amenities at the new, always-open TA travel center location include 250 truck parking spaces on a spacious, well-lit parking lot; eight diesel lanes; a Travel Store with a quick-service deli; six showers; a casino and drivers lounge; RoadSquad Connect emergency roadside service, available 24/7/365; and UltraONE Rewards Program kiosk and swiping system. This location also offers Wi-Fi, an ATM, check cashing and TripPak services. It offers gasoline at eight fueling positions, and the location has an RV dump station. The company expects to add a four-bay TA Truck Service facility.
"We are happy to add this location, and to expand the reach of our network into Montana to provide professional drivers and highway travelers on I-90 with another full service travel center," said Tom O'Brien, president and CEO of TravelCenters, Westlake, Ohio. "TA Missoula is a vast location … situated on nearly 30 acres. The location provides drivers with ample parking, and space enough to maneuver and make themselves at home. The casino also provides drivers a chance to relax and unwind after a long day on the road. We will continue to look for ways to add new amenities and locations to show drivers our respect."
Separately, the Giant Eagle supermarket chain is expanding into Indiana. The company said it has signed an agreement to build a GetGo convenience store and an upscale Market District grocery store in Carmel, a suburb of Indianapolis, reported the Associated Press.
The Pittsburgh-based grocery retailer has approximately 420 grocery stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Ohio. It operates nearly 200 GetGo c-stores and Market District Express small-format stores.
The Carmel Market District store will be the 10th for the chain. The other nine are in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Both formats will be part of a development called The Bridges and are set to open next year.
"We are thrilled to bring our Market District and GetGo concepts to Carmel and greater Indianapolis," CEO Laura Karet said in a statement. "We could think of nothing better than to deliver the best food from around the world to this great community, and to offer a dining and convenience experience that we are confident will be a wonderful complement to Indianapolis' ever-expanding food scene. As we look to become contributing members of the Indianapolis area, we are also actively evaluating opportunities for additional locations."
GetGo includes a restaurant selling subs, breakfast sandwiches, salads, wraps, drinks, milkshakes, iced tea, fruit smoothies and GetGo coffee. The stores also offer a car wash, free air for vehicle tires, free WiFi, a surcharge-free ATM and spacious restrooms, reported The Indianapolis Star.
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