New Convenience-Store Roundup for March 2019

CHICAGO — This edition of New Convenience-Store Roundup features new c-store openings, closings and more for the month of March 2019.

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 not previously reported in CSP Daily News.

• 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 M&A 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 list of c-store chains by size (and see the new Top 40 update). 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 …

The Rock Store, a c-store in Texarkana, Ark., that opened in 1941, closed in mid-March.

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. It also does not include store openings previously reported in CSP Daily News.

7-Eleven opened a new c-store in Spring Hill, Fla., on March 27.

Net new stores: 1

Enmarket opened a new, 6,366-square-foot c-store in Pooler, Ga., on March 8. The store, which offers 20 fueling stations and an electronic-vehicle charging station, is the chain’s largest newly built location. It features the chain’s first drive-thru window, serving fresh food and beverages from its proprietary restaurant, The Eatery. It features touchless restrooms, exposed ceilings and outdoor seating. It also has a redesigned and more efficient kitchen and an improved vendor receiving area.

Net new stores: 1

Hansen’s Sinclair full-service gas station in Ames, Iowa, closed March 30. The owner, Mark Hansen, will maintain the nearby Mark Hansen Auto Repair shop.

Net new stores: -1

QuikTrip closed a c-store in Overland Park, Kan., on March 18, citing the opening of a new store in Shawnee Mission, Kan., as the reason for the closure.

Net new stores: -1

Royal Farms opened a new c-store in Towson, Md., on March 4.

Net new stores: 1

Seasons Corner Market opened a new c-store in Nashua, N.H., on March 14.

Net new stores: 1

Wiesenthal’s Auto Service and gas station in Ocean City, N.J., closed at the end of March. Owners Don and Glenn Wiesenthal had hoped to stay in business, but their attempts to buy the building were unsuccessful and they lost their lease. The building, at a site occupied by a gas station since 1935, is slated for demolition and will be replaced by a bank.

Net new stores: -1

QuikTrip opened a new c-store in Tulsa, Okla., on March 21 on the site of a Sinclair Fiesta Mart that closed in 2017.

Net new stores: 1

Rutter’s opened a new c-store in Altoona, Pa., on March 6. The 8,223-square-foot store has a quick-service restaurant, a beer cave and indoor seating for up to 30 customers. It has 10 fuel dispensers and offers flex-fuel, Unleaded 15 and ethanol-free gasoline along with regular, midgrade and premium gasoline and auto diesel.

V Marks the Shop, an all-vegan c-store in south Philadelphia, opened March 30. The store offers a wide variety of snacks, such as chocolate chip cookies, vegan jerky, churro-flavored cotton candy, chocolate bars and Daiya dairy-free ice cream bars. It also features Beyond Meat products, vegan eggs, dairy-free cheese, cup noodles, Blackbird Pizzeria pizza, vegan pot pies, fish fillets, crab cakes, ribs, seitan steaks, shrimp and more. About 15% of the products are locally sourced, with a goal of 50%. The store also has a seating area with free Wi-Fi and arts and crafts items.

Net new stores: 2

Two CEFCO c-stores in Paris, Texas, closed in early March. They will soon reopen as Chevron gas stations.

QuikTrip opened a new c-store in Cedar Park, Texas, on March 7.

Net new stores: -1

TOTAL NEW STORES FOR MARCH 2019: 3

TOTAL NEW STORES FOR 2019: 38

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