SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Convenience-store retailer Enmarket has purchased Joker Joe’s Truck Stop in Hardeeville, S.C., a move that the company said will expand its reach in a key market that extends from Savannah to Charleston, S.C. Enmarket assumed operations of Joker Joe’s on Sept. 6.
In addition to growing the retailer’s territory and services, the purchase will significantly enlarge its diesel fuel business.
“This acquisition is a strategic move for us as we have plans to expand our diesel business through new-to-industry construction,” said Brett Giesick, president of Savannah, Ga.-based Enmarket. “But more than that, it is another example of our commitment to further build our brand in the Southeast by filling in the geography from Savannah to Charleston with a strong Enmarket presence in convenience stores, restaurants and truckstops.”
The new Enmarket store is just north of Savannah on Interstate 95 at Exit 8 in Hardeeville. The busy interchange at U.S. Highway 278 serves as the gateway to Hilton Head Island and the South Carolina Lowcountry.
The 13,000-square-foot facility, which includes nine diesel lanes, will remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week while the building and nine-acre property go through a significant remodel.
Improvements will include an enlarged trucker’s lounge, showers, truck scales and laundry equipment, as well as a resurfaced parking lot and overnight parking for over-the-road and RV drivers. The updated c-store will feature freshly prepared hot and cold grab-and-go food options, frozen yogurt, bean-to-cup coffee brewers and an expanded cooler and beer cave.
Enmarket will also continue to be an area destination for fireworks, which is what Joker Joe’s was best known for by many locals and travelers.
As part of the remodel, Enmarket will add Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, a Baja-style fast-casual Mexican restaurant franchise with a full bar and seating. Fuzzy’s Taco Shops have more than 100 franchises nationwide. It marks Enmarket’s first fast-casual style restaurant, with plans to open additional Fuzzy’s locations beginning in 2019.
“The brand originated in Texas and earned a cultlike following behind a high-quality product served at an affordable price, which makes it an ideal fit for Enmarket and our customers,” Giesick said.
Enmarket operates 122 convenience stores and 14 quick-service restaurants in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina and recently doubled its presence in the region with the acquisition of 34 E-Z Shop convenience stores in South Carolina and 34 Clydes Markets in southeast Georgia.
- Enmarket is No. 75 on CSP’s 2018 Top 202 ranking of c-store chains by total number of company-owned retail outlets.
Founded as Interstate Stations by Robert Demere in 1963, Enmarket is part of Savannah-based Colonial Group Inc.
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