New Convenience-Store Roundup for February 2021

CHICAGO — This edition of New Convenience-Store Roundup features new-to-industry c-store openings and closings that took place in February 2021.

California, Illinois, New Jersey saw the most new stores in this count; Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened the most new stores in February, with four new locations debuting in four states on the same day. And Buc-ee’s opened a much-anticipated store in Florida, its first in the Sunshine State.

The unscientifically gathered roundup—gleaned from company announcements, websites, email, 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. c-stores, gas stations, truckstops and travel centers.

• Click here for new c-store roundups from previous months, along with other grand opening and new-store coverage. And click here for coverage of convenience industry mergers-and-acquisitions activity.

Many of the stores listed here are owned by independent operators, while others belong to major chains. Some are part ofCSP’s Top 202 ranking of c-store chains by size (click here for the Top 40 update for 2021; the full 2021 list will appear in the June issue of CSP magazine). Some of the owners and operators are new entrepreneurs, and some are industry veterans.

Unless otherwise mentioned, the new locations offer the food, snacks, beverages, tobacco, merchandise, services and amenities found in most c-stores. Most offer fuel.

Click through for a state-by-state breakdown …

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Hamilton, Ala., on Feb. 4. The site has 78 truck-, 65 car- and three RV-parking spaces, with eight diesel bays. The more than 11,000-square-foot store has an Arby’s restaurant and features the Fresh Kitchen concept and bean-to-cup coffee. It also features seven showers and laundry facilities and a Mobile to Go Zone for electronics. The site also has a Speedco truck maintenance facility and CAT scale, as well as a dog park.

Net new stores*: 1

*Represents stores opened minus stores closed in this state for the month of this count only. Other c-stores not captured by this count may have opened or closed in the state.

7-Eleven opened new c-stores in Riverside, Calif., on Feb. 18 and in Buena Park, Calif., in on Feb. 24.

Net new stores: 2

Buc-ee’s opened a new travel center in St. Augustine, Fla., on Feb. 22, the first in the state. It offers 104 fueling positions. The 52,600-square-foot store features Texas barbeque, homemade fudge, kolaches, Beaver nuggets, jerky and fresh pastries, among other merchandise.

An Applegreen Express Lane c-store and Chevron gas station in Panama City Beach, Fla., closed in late February to make room for the construction of a new traffic interchange.

Net new stores: 0

7-Eleven opened a new c-store in Evergreen Park, Ill., on Feb. 4.

Casey’s General Stores opened a new c-store in Rockford, Ill., on Feb. 26.

Net new stores: 2

Seasons Market opened a new c-store in Randolph, Mass., on Feb. 26.

Net new stores: 1

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in St. Charles, Minn., on Feb. 4. The site has 63 truck-, 83 car- and six RV-parking spaces, with eight diesel bays. The more than 12,000-square-foot store has a Hardee’s restaurant and features the Fresh Kitchen concept and bean-to-cup coffee. It also features six showers and laundry facilities and a Mobile to Go Zone for electronics. The site also has a Speedco truck maintenance facility and CAT scale, as well as a dog park.

Net new stores: 1

Dollar General opened a DGX c-store in St. Louis. The 4,500-square-foot location offers grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, fresh fruits and vegetables, snack items and a coffee station, as well as pet supplies, paper products, home cleaning supplies, health and beauty products, home decor, electronics, and seasonal products.

Net new stores: 1

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Papillion, Neb., on Feb. 4. The site has 107 truck-, 80 car- and two RV-parking spaces, with eight diesel bays. The more than 12,000-square-foot store has a Wendy’s restaurant and features the Fresh Kitchen concept and bean-to-cup coffee. It also features seven showers and laundry facilities and a Mobile to Go Zone for electronics. The site also has a Speedco truck maintenance facility and CAT scale, as well as a dog park.

Net new stores: 1

7-Eleven opened a new c-store in Mount Holly, N.J., in early February.

Wawa opened a new c-store in Eatontown, N.J., on Feb. 18.

Net new stores: 2

North Salem Market, a Mobil gas station and c-store, opened in North Salem, N.Y., in early February.

Net new stores: 1

Royal Farms opened a new c-store in Collegeville, Pa., in early February.

Net new stores: 1

Dollar General opened a DGX c-store in Memphis, Tenn. The 3,750-square-foot location offers grab-and-go items, salads and sandwiches, fresh fruits and vegetables, an expanded health and beauty section, cleaning supplies, home decor and more.

Net new stores: 1

Airport retailer Hudson opened a Hudson Nonstop c-store using Amazon’s just walk out technology at Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL). Located after the security checkpoint near Gate 10, the 500-square-foot store opened on Feb. 22.

Net new stores: 1

Casey’s General Stores opened a new c-store in Kieler, Wis., on Feb. 5.

Net new stores: 1

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in James Town, Wyo., on Feb. 4. The site has 87 truck-, 71 car- and six RV-parking spaces, with eight diesel bays. The more than 12,000-square-foot store has a Carl’s Jr. restaurant and features the Fresh Kitchen concept and bean-to-cup coffee. It also features seven showers and laundry facilities and a Mobile to Go Zone for electronics. The site also has a Speedco truck maintenance facility and CAT scale, as well as a dog park.

Net new stores: 1

NEW STORES OPENED IN FEBRUARY 2021: 18

STORES CLOSED IN FEBRUARY 2021: 1

NET NEW STORES IN FEBRUARY 2021: 17

TOTAL NET NEW STORES FOR 2021: 45

To be sure your locations are listed in upcoming roundups, please send new-store announcements and other news to Greg Lindenberg at glindenberg@winsightmedia.com.