New Convenience-Store Roundup for June 2022

CHICAGO — This edition of New Convenience-Store Roundup features new-to-industry (NTI) c-store openings, as well as closings, that took place in June 2022.

Multiple store closures contributed to keeping the tally low for the month.

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. (Watch for the 2022 Top 202 ranking in the June issue of CSP magazine and in CSP Daily News.)

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

Chevron opened an ExtraMile gas station in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on June 24. It features 14 bays to pump gas, as well as electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations. Lucy’s Restaurant will open in August.

Net new stores*: 1

*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 raze-and-rebuild, remodeled or replacement stores.

Bill’s Market in Tempe, Ariz., closed on June 18 after 61 years in business owned by the same family. The store was known for its chorizo sausage. The store’s current owners are retiring after 38 years.

Net new stores: -1

Casey’s General Stores opened a new c-store in Van Buren, Ar., on June 2.

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Clarksville, Ark., on June 30. The site has nine diesel bays, with 114 truck parking spaces, 60 car parking spaces and four RV parking spaces and features a Speedco facility, CAT scale and a dog park. The more than 13,000 square feet store also features a Bojangles restaurant, Love’s proprietary Fresh Kitchen concept and bean-to-cup coffee. It offers eight showers and a Mobile to Go electronics zone.

Net new stores: 2

QuikTrip opened its first c-store in Colorado on June 16. The store is in Firestone, about 45 minutes north of Denver. It is a Gen 3S with a Vertical 9-MPD Side-Split gas canopy. The store offers a full-service kitchen with fresh, made-to-order snackles, as well as fresh food delivered daily through QuikTrip’s bakeries and commissaries. It also features freshly brewed coffee and fresh-brewed QTea, as well as its complete menu of grab-and-go items including doughnuts, salads, wraps, QT’s signature pizza by the slice and roller grill items.

Net new stores: 1

The Wills Group opened a new Dash In c-store in Wilmington, Del., on June 3. It features chef-inspired fresh food.

Net new stores: 1

Wawa opened a new c-store in Gainesville, Fla., on June 30.

Net new stores: 1

After 52 years, the Little Grocery store in Peoria, Ill., closed at the end of June. The owner, Missy Simpson, has retired.

Net new stores: -1

With the retirement of owner Bill Bowman, Bowman Oil Co. closed its gas station in Maquoketa, Iowa, on June 30. Bowman worked at the station for more than 30 years. “I have real old pumps,” he said. “The talk is that E-15 is going to come pretty quick. None of my pumps can handle that. So I decided I might as well just end it. It would cost me way too much to update it for the age that I am.”

Net new stores: -1

Royal Farms opened a new c-stores in Hanover. Md., on June 6.

Net new stores: 1

Rem’s Mobil in Amherst, Mass., closed its doors in June because of the higher cost of gasoline, owner Reynold Gladu said. He refuses to pass those costs on to his customers, many senior citizens who are longtime customers, he said. The family will continue to run the location’s automotive repair and used car business.

Net new stores: -1

Walters-Dimmick Petroleum opened a new Johnny’s Market in Reed City, Mich., on June 7.

Net new stores: 1

A Speedway gas station and c-store in Marshall, Minn., closed in mid-June. The new owner demolished the store and gas canopy.

Net new stores: -1

Casey’s General Stores opened a new c-store in Joplin, Mo., on June 3.

Net new stores: 1

Casey’s General Stores opened a new c-store in Omaha, Neb., on June 30.

Net new stores: 1

Wawa opened new c-stores in Vineland, N.J., on June 24 and Egg Harbor City, N.J., on June 30.

7-Eleven opened a new c-store at the 300-acre Adventure Crossing USA sports, entertainment and dining complex in Jackson, N.J., on June 28.

Net new stores: 3

Quicklee’s opened a new c-store in Batavia, N.Y., on June 21. It is adding EV charging stations and a Tim Horton’s quick-service restaurant (QSR).

Stewart’s Shops closed a c-store in Albany, N.Y., on June 21. “Unfortunately, there is not enough business at this shop and with rising wages, growing costs and the burden of increased regulations, this closure was necessary,” company spokesperson Erica Komoroske said. In most areas, she said, Stewart’s Shops have the space to be the “community grocery store, restaurant and gas station.” But the location “could not expand to fit those needs.” It did not have gas pumps and was one of several businesses in a strip mall.

Net new stores: 0

Sheetz opened a new c-store in Powell, Ohio, on June 21.

Net new stores: 1

Casey’s General Stores opened a new c-store in Midwest City, Okla., on June 10.

Net new stores: 1

Sheetz opened a new c-store in Larksville, Pa., on June 29.

Net new stores: 1

Refuel opened a new c-store in Little River, S.C., in June.

Net new stores: 1

Buc-ee’s opened a new travel center in Crossville, Tenn., on June 27, its first location in the Volunteer State. It occupies more than 53,400 square feet and offers 120 fueling positions.

Net new stores: 1

The Texan Stores, owned by the Dlugosch family, opened a new The Texan c-store in Schulenburg, Texas, on June 30.

Net new stores: 1

Royal Farms opened new c-stores in Colonial Heights, Va., on June 2 and in Fredericksburg, Va., on June 23.

A new 76-branded gas station opened in Middleburg, Va., on June 24.

Net new stores: 3

Wawa closed a c-store in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C. “After careful evaluation, our store at 1400 Irving St., NW, DC has closed as of Monday, June 6,” the company said in a statement. “All associates have been transferred to nearby locations we operate in the city. We appreciate the support of the community over the past few years and hope to continue to serve them in other locations or through our convenience services including catering and delivery.”

Net new stores: -1

The Willkomm Cos. closed a Willkomm’s Mobil gas station in Racine, Wis., on June 30. The company will replace the station with a Rocket Wash car wash. “The Willkomms have been on this property for 33 years—since 1989,” the company said in a Facebook post. “The Willkomms want to thank the loyal Mobil customers. It’s time to try something new!”

Net new stores: -1

NEW STORES OPENED IN JUNE 2022: 23

STORES CLOSED IN JUNE 2022: 8

NET NEW STORES IN JUNE 2022: 14

TOTAL NET NEW STORES IN 2022: 126

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.