New Convenience-Store Roundup for October 2021

CHICAGO — This edition of New Convenience-Store Roundup features new-to-industry (NTI) c-store openings, as well as closings, that took place in October 2021.

Illinois took the top slot in the monthly state-by-state count, with four stores; New Jersey was next with three locations.

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.

Unless otherwise noted, these NTI 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 …

ExtraMile Convenience Stores, a joint venture between Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and Jacksons Food Stores, opened its 1,000th store in Vernon, Ala., on Oct. 29. Midstates Petroleum owns the Texaco station. Bravo Partners operates the facility.

Gas Express, a multi-state franchise operator for Alimentation Couche-Tard, opened a new Circle K c-store in Montgomery, Ala., on Oct. 29.

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 raze-and-rebuild, remodeled or replacement stores.

Maverik opened a new truckstop in Oroville, Calif., on Oct. 19, its first in California. The 5,951-square-foot establishment is open 24 hours a day, seven day a week. In addition to the certified truck scales and a high-flow fuel court, the facility includes a c-store and fresh ready-to-grab and made-to-order food offerings from the BonFire Grill including burritos, tacos, quesadillas, sandwiches, pizzas, toasted subs, salads and other items. There are also extensive coffee and soda fountain offerings.

PlantX Life, a digital community for plant-based products, opened its first U.S. brick-and-mortar XMarket c-store in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego on Oct. 30. It features more than 4,500 square feet of retail and cafe space, with a sandwich shop and an education center. The store showcases a variety of curated plant-based items from brands including Beyond Meat, Kula Ice Cream, Tracy’s Real Foods, Maya’s Cookies, Nibble Chocolate, Cashew Later, Nova Kombucha, Mellano & Co. Café, Hazel and Jade and GF Baking Co. The cafe has baristas trained by a coffee consultant. Customers can choose from vegan coffee beverages and diverse plant-based lunch options curated by Matthew Kenney Cuisine. The store offers grocery items, cosmetics, wellness products and indoor plants.

Net new stores: 2

Wawa opened a new c-store in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Oct. 22.

Net new stores: 1

Foxtrot opened a new c-store in Chicago on Oct. 9.

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Grant Park, Ill., on Oct. 14. It features five diesel bays and 33 truck and 51 car parking spaces. The more than 8,000-square-foot location has Chester’s Chicken and Godfather’s Pizza restaurants, the chain’s Fresh Kitchen foodservice concept, bean-to-cup coffee, four showers, laundry facilities and a Mobile to Go Zone with the latest GPS, headsets and smartphone accessories.

Thorntons opened new c-stores in Bolingbrook, Ill., on Oct. 15 and Crystal Lake, Ill., on Oct. 22. Both feature self-checkout; LED lighting for safety and energy efficiency; freshly made burritos and sandwiches prepared throughout the day in the store’s onsite kitchen; a variety of beverages, including fresh bean-to-cup coffee and fountain beverages with nugget ice; a rear diesel island; limited overnight truck parking; and the Pro Driver rewards program for professional drivers.

Net new stores: 4

Braum’s opened a new Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy store and Fresh Market in Wichita, Kansas, in mid-October. The building is more than 6,000 square feet, with the Fresh Market area taking up approximately 2,000 square feet of the store. There is seating for 69 guests, and there are two drive-thru lanes. Braum’s stores feature an old-fashioned ice cream fountain along with a grill area for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The stores also offer a fully stocked c-store with more than 100 grocery, fresh meats, fruits, vegetables and dairy products.

Net new stores: 1

The Wills Group opened a new Dash In c-store in Lanham, Md., on Oct. 1. It features Dash In’s neighborhood design store concept, and its Craveable Menu.

Net new stores: 1

Nouria Energy opened its first fully branded fuel and c-store in Wareham, Mass., on Oct. 15. This is the company’s first step towards positioning itself to be a top-tier fuel supplier under the Nouria brand, while showcasing a modern design, and a more spacious, brighter layout, it said. The site offers new products and services including electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, a variety of fresh, healthy foods and new-age beverages. It also features Nouria’s proprietary coffee brand, Café Nouria, and Amato’s authentic Italian restaurant, which offers meals made in-store as well as through online and mobile ordering. The location also has Wi-Fi and a seating area.

Net new stores: 1

Casey’s General Stores opened two new c-stores, in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 1 and Branson West, Mo., on Oct. 14.

Net new stores: 1

Wawa opened a new c-store in Eatontown, N.J., on Oct. 7. It also opened a new c-store in Deptford, N.J., on Oct. 22.

Murphy USA’sQuickChek opened a new c-store in Hackettstown, N.J., on Oct. 19. It has six fuel pumps with 12 fueling positions, indoor seating for 10, outdoor seating for eight and 52 parking spaces. Available offerings for 24 hours are made-to-order breakfast items; subs, wraps, salads and personalized hot and cold beverages. The store makes baked goods on site and there is a daily rotation of freshly made soups.

Net new stores: 3

Fuelco opened a new Foodsmart c-store in Yonkers, N.Y., on Oct. 28. The gas station combines “deeply discounted” gasoline and a variety of organic, gluten-free and fair-trade snacks, along with c-store staples, like “Trader Joe's with a gas pump.”

Net new stores: 1

Shell Oil opened its first corporate-owned gas station in the United States in Adams Township in Pennsylvania on Oct. 1. The location includes a 2,265-square-foot c-store, a car wash and eight fueling pumps.

Net new stores: 1

Riggs Oil opened the Black Diamond Travel Center in Unicoi, Tenn., on Oct. 18. The Shell gas station and Black Diamond Market c-store features 12 gasoline fuel pumps, four diesel pumps and an off-road diesel pump. In addition to the gasoline, the travel center also offers a variety of made-to-order food options both in-store and drive-thru.

Net new stores: 1

7-Eleven opened a new c-store in Marble Falls, Texas, on Oct. 6.

Mando’s Spot, a c-store featuring tobacco products and snacks, opened in Dallas on Oct. 17.

Net new stores: 2

Filling Co. Gas & Grub, a new c-store and gas station, opened in Ashburn, Va., on Oct. 6. It features an on-site quick-service restaurant (QSR) with burgers, cheesesteaks, hot dogs, pizza, sub sandwiches and more.

Net new stores: 1

Pilot Co. opened a new Pilot Travel Center in Tumwater, Wash., on Oct. 28. It is a joint venture with the Chehalis Tribe. The more than 12,000-square-foot facility offers 16 gasoline fueling positions and eight diesel lanes; 73 truck parking spaces; a Taco Bell with drive-thru; grab-and-go food offerings including roller grills, nachos and hot and cold packaged sandwiches and snacks; Pilot’s ‘Best on the Interstate’ premium coffees, including bean-to-cup selections and cold brew; seven showers; laundry; and CAT scale.

Net new stores: 1

Foxtrot opened a new c-store in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 29. It features made-to-order food, in-house wines, charcuterie and locally roasted Vigilante coffee.

Net new stores: 1

Kwik Trip opened a new c-store in Waukesha, Wis., on Oct. 20.

Net new stores: 1

NEW STORES OPENED IN OCTOBER 2021: 26

STORES CLOSED IN OCTOBER 2021: 0

NET NEW STORES IN OCTOBER 2021: 26

TOTAL NET NEW STORES IN 2021: 210

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.