New Convenience-Store Roundup for July 2020
By Greg Lindenberg on Aug. 11, 2020CHICAGO — This edition of New Convenience-Store Roundup features new c-store openings, closings and more that took place in July 2020.
New-store openings as captured by CSP's count have been down considerably from typical monthly totals, likely reflecting the economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to affect retail. While c-stores, as officially designated essential businesses, remain open, the uncertainly surrounding the pandemic could be leading to a pause on store expansion. But large chains appear to be continuing some expansion despite the pandemic’s drag on overall growth, and the monthly count is trending upward again.
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. convenience 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. Many 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.
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 …
California
A new 7-Eleven c-store opened in Santa Barbara, Calif., in early July.
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.
Colorado
Choice Market opened its third convenience store on July 27 in Denver in the City Park neighborhood, its first store with gas pumps and electric vehicle chargers. The 2,700-square-foot location will feature delivery via digital ordering.
Net new stores: 1
Florida
Busy Bee opened a new c-store in Panama City Beach, Fla., in early July. Take a look.
Net new stores: 1
Georgia
Enmarket opened a new c-store in Thunderbolt, Ga., on July 24. The 5,800-square-foot store, the third of its new prototype store design, also aligns with the town’s Victory Drive overlay district and with elements of the Coastal maritime vernacular. The new store features The Eatery, Enmarket’s signature kitchen, bean-to-cup coffee and Mooz frozen yogurt.
Net new stores: 1
Illinois
Foxtrot will opened a new c-store and delivery service in Chicago on July 2. It offers curated foods, coffee, prepared foods, craft beer, wine, spirits, food, gifts and everyday essentials. It also offers cafe seating as well as a mobile-app based one-hour pickup and delivery service.
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Wadsworth, Ill., on U.S. Highway 41, on July 23. The more than 12,000-square-foot facility features 107 truck-, 64 car- and three RV-parking spaces; eight diesel bays; the Fresh Kitchen concept and an Arby’s restaurant; bean-to-cup coffee; eight showers; laundry facilities; Mobile to Go Zone for electronics; CAT scale; a dog park; and Love’s Truck Care with on-site Speedco.
Net new stores: 2
Iowa
Maine
The Augusta Quick Mart, a Sunoco gas station and c-store in Augusta, Maine, closed its doors on July 31.
Net new stores: -1
Maryland
7-Eleven opened a new c-store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, Md., in mid-July.
Net new stores: 1
Massachusetts
Convenience Plus Grocery Shop opened in Clinton, Mass., in mid-July. It offers staples, frozen foods, snacks, drinks and other convenience items as well as grocery items such as fresh produce and pet food. It also offers hardware and stationery.
Net new stores: 1
Missouri
New York
Pudgie’s Pizza, Pasta & Sub Shops opened a new Aces & Eights General Store, the company’s second c-store and gas station, in Southport, N.Y., on July 7. It features Ellis Coffee.
Bolla Market opened a new c-store in Seaford, N.Y., on Long Island in mid-July. It is the retailer’s first to include a Tim Hortons coffee shop.
Stewart’s Shops opened a new c-store in Port Henry, N.Y., on July 31 on the site of a former Mac’s Market. It built a 4,18-square-foot “Super Stewart’s,” which is larger than a typical Stewart’s Shop and offers an expanded grocery line, a beer cave and a produce island. The shop offers an expanded fresh produce line including bananas, tomatoes, limes, lemons, oranges, apples, lettuce, onions, potatoes, cucumbers, celery hearts, mushrooms, grape tomatoes, romaine lettuce, red onions, strawberries, whole and baby carrots and basil. It also features a walk-up ice cream window with outside seating.
Net new stores: 3
North Carolina
Bodega on Broadway, also known as BOB, opened on July 24 in Asheville, N.C. It features the Disco Deli.
Net new stores: 1
Ohio
FriendShip Stores opened a new FriendShip Kitchen c-store in Delaware, Ohio, in Lewis Center Township, on July 15. It marks the company’s first foray into central Ohio.
Net new stores: 1
Pennsylvania
Texas
Braum’s opened a new c-store, market, quick-serve restaurant and ice cream shop in Lubbock, Texas, on July 14.
Eskimo Hut, a drive-thru c-store concept store that features frozen daiquiris and margaritas to go, opened a new location at Greens Landing in Houston on July 20.
QuikTrip opened a new c-store in Flower Mound, Texas, on July 24.
Net new stores: 3
Utah
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Green River, Utah, on U.S. Highway 191, on July 23. The more than 7,000-square-foot facility features 80 truck-, 67 car- and six RV-parking spaces; five diesel bays; the Fresh Kitchen concept; bean-to-cup coffee; four showers; laundry facilities; Mobile to Go Zone for electronics; CAT scale; and a dog park.
The Fountain Green General Store and Shep’s Grill in Fountain Green, Utah, closed on July 31 after being open for almost 100 years. The owner cited the COVID-19 pandemic.
Net new stores: 0
Virginia
Wawa opened a new c-store in Vienna, Va., on July 16.
Net new stores: 1
NEW STORES OPENED IN JULY 2020: 21
STORES CLOSED IN JULY 2020: 2
NET NEW STORES FOR JULY 2020: 19
TOTAL NET NEW STORES FOR 2020: 129
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.