New Convenience-Store Roundup for February 2024
By Greg Lindenberg on Mar. 19, 2024This edition of CSP’s New Convenience-Store Roundup features new-to-industry (NTI) c-store openings, as well as closings, that took place in February 2024.
Iowa, Florida and Pennsylvania added the most stores for the month, each with five new locations. All five in Iowa are new Casey’s locations. Casey's opened a total of nine stores in five states during February.
Four stores closed in several states during the period.
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 of CSP’s Top 202 ranking of c-store chains by size. Some of the owners and operators are new entrepreneurs, and some are industry veterans.
Arkansas
24 Hour Fuel, a veteran-operated gas station and convenience store, opened for business in Mountain Home, Arkansas, on Feb. 16.
Casey’s General Stores opened a new convenience store in Gentry, Arkansas, on Feb. 22.
Net new stores*: 2
*Represents new-to-industry 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. The roundup does not include razed-and-rebuilt, remodeled or replacement stores, acquisitions, new ownership or temporary closings.
Colorado
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Cortez, Colorado, on Feb. 1. It has 22 truck parking spots and four RV parking spots and features a Subway quick-service restaurant (QSR).
QuikTrip opened a new convenience store in Mead, Colorado, in early February.
Net new stores: 2
Florida
Wawa opened a new convenience store in Ocala, Florida, on Feb. 8, one of two of the company’s first openings of 2024. It also opened new c-stores in Palm City, Florida, on Feb. 15 and Miami on Feb. 29.
Alimentation Couche-Tard opened a new Circle K convenience store in Crestview, Florida, on Feb. 28.
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in St. Augustine, Florida, on Feb. 29. It has 64 truck parking spots and eight diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) lanes. It also features a Hardee’s quick-service restaurant (QSR) and seven showers.
Net new stores: 5
Illinois
Enex opened a new Road Ranger convenience store, its 50th, in Bourbonnais, Illinois, on Feb. 13.
Ladd Convenience opened in Ladd, Illinois, on Feb. 15.
A new Beck’s gas station, convenience store and car wash opened in Peoria Heights, Illinois, on Feb. 27. It features a beer cave.
Net new stores: 3
Iowa
Casey’s General Stores opened new convenience stores in Perry, Iowa, on Feb. 1, Rock Rapids, Iowa, on Feb. 6, Hull, Iowa, on Feb. 15, Corydon, Iowa, on Feb. 22 and Ames, Iowa, Feb. 22.
Net new stores: 5
Kansas
Kentucky
bp closed a Thorntons location in Louisville, Kentucky, one of the downtown area’s last remaining gas stations, on Feb. 26. The company did not provide a reason, but a report by WDRB cited loitering and crime as a possible reason.
Net new stores: -1
Missouri
Casey’s General Stores opened a new convenience store in Lathrop, Missouri, on Feb. 13.
Net new stores: 1
Nebraska
Casey’s General Stores opened a new convenience store in Omaha, Nebraska, on Feb. 22.
Net new stores: 1
New York
Stewart’s Shops closed a location in Latham, New York, on Feb. 2 because it was too small. There is limited space for sandwiches, soups and other food-to-go items—and no space to offer gasoline.
Net new stores: -1
North Carolina
Royal Farms opened a new convenience store in Wilson, North Carolina, on Feb. 5. It features a gas station with 16 standard-flow fueling positions along with a high-flow diesel canopy that will also offer diesel exhaust fluid (DEF).
Sheetz opened a new convenience store in Hope Mills, North Carolina, on Feb. 15.
Net new stores: 2
Ohio
Daruma, a Japanese “konbini” (convenience store) opened in downtown Cincinnati on Feb. 19. It has Japanese aesthetics and an outdoor patio. It features authentic Japanese household staples, grab-and-go items and meals including sushi rolls; onigiri; rice balls made with protein and veggies like pork belly, pickled plum and ham and cheese; Japanese sauces and condiments; as well as Japanese snacks and candy. It also offers beer and sake. The store also has a hot water dispenser for making tea and a variety of instant cup noodles.
Sheetz opened a new convenience store in Vandalia, Ohio, on Feb. 20.
Net new stores: 2
Oklahoma
QuikTrip opened a new convenience store in Moore, Oklahoma, its first location in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, on Feb. 15.
BW Gas & Convenience Holdings opened a new Allsup’s convenience store in Thackerville, Oklahoma, on Feb. 16.
Casey’s General Stores opened a new convenience store in Idabel, Oklahoma, on Feb. 20.
Net new stores: 3
Pennsylvania
City Convenience, a 2,500-square-foot store convenience store, opened in Neffsville, Pennsylvania, in early February on the site of a former Turkey Hill store.
Wawa opened a new convenience store in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Feb. 8, one of two of the company’s first openings of 2024.
Sheetz opened a new convenience store in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 15.
Coen Markets opened its first new-to-industry (NTI) convenience store, also its largest at 5,100 square feet, in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 28. It has an in-store kitchen.
Giant Eagle opened a 3,300-square-foot GetGo Café + Market convenience store with drive-thru window in Butler, Pennsylvania, which is part of the greater Pittsburgh region, on Feb. 29. It is the company’s first new-build location in the state.
Net new stores: 5
Tennessee
Starlight Fuel Shell Gas Station opened its pumps to drivers in Jackson, Tennessee, on Feb. 21.
The Shelby County District Attorney's Office declared a Gas Express location in Memphis, Tennessee, a public nuisance after the Memphis Police Department’s Organized Crime Unit conducted an investigation and shut the establishment down on Feb. 28. Numerous community complaints had been received, citing disturbances and rampant violence on the premises, a report by the DA’s office said. Throughout the investigation, MPD responded to a total of 903 calls and completed 189 reports, encompassing incidents such as aggravated robbery, homicides, carjacking, theft from motor vehicles, prostitution, aggravated assaults, drug violations and weapon violations. Within the two-year investigation, officers made 93 arrests on the property. On Feb. 28, MPD took three individuals into custody and discovered felony drugs and a weapon on the premises. The store also failed the Department of Agriculture inspection and received citations from the Memphis Fire Department and Shelby County Code Enforcement for numerous violations.
Net new stores: 0
Texas
BW Gas & Convenience Holdings opened a new Allsup’s Express convenience store in Denton, Texas, near the University of North Texas campus, on Feb. 1.
A new 7-Eleven convenience store opened in Laredo, Texas, on Feb. 1. A new 7-Eleven also opened San Marcos, Texas, on Feb. 8.
Net new stores: 3
Virginia
Sheetz opened new convenience stores in Midlothian, Virginia, on Feb. 8 and Blacksburg, Virginia, on Feb. 29.
Net new stores: 2
NEW STORES OPENED IN FEBRUARY 2024: 38
STORES CLOSED IN FEBRUARY 2024: 4
NET NEW STORES IN FEBRUARY 2024: 34
TOTAL NET NEW STORES IN 2024: 53
To be sure your locations are listed in upcoming roundups, please send new-store announcements and other news to Greg Lindenberg at greg.lindenberg@informa.com