New Convenience-Store Roundup for October 2023

This edition of CSP’s New Convenience-Store Roundup features new-to-industry (NTI) c-store openings, as well as closings, that took place in October 2023.

North Carolina and Virginia had the most new stores for the month, with only two locations each opening in the Tar Heel State and the Old Dominion State. Several states saw c-store closures.

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’sTop 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. ...

Morris Petroleum and The Dutch Groupopened a Sprint Mart c-store and Sadie’s Restaurant in Vance, Alabama, on Oct. 13.

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-rebuilt, remodeled or replacement stores. acquisitions or new ownership.

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Nogales, Arizona, off Interstate 19, on Oct. 19. The site features 113 truck parking spaces and 65 car parking spaces, eight diesel bays, a Speedco maintenance facility and a CAT scale. The more than 14,000-square-foot travel stop includes a McDonald’s and a Subway as well as offer bean-to-cup gourmet coffee. It also has a Mobile to Go Zone eight showers and a laundry facility.  

Net new stores: 1

A Bo-Gas station in Bolinas, California, owned by the Bolinas Community Land Trust, closed in late October.

Net new stores: -1

The Wills Group opened a new Dash In c-store in Middletown, Delaware, on Oct. 19.

Net new stores: 1

Parker’s opened a new Parker’s Kitchen c-store in Rincon, Georgia, on Oct. 24. The bright store design features Lowcountry-inspired architecture with a modern, contemporary glass-front façade with lime-washed brick, bracketry and designer lighting. The retail footprint offers indoor dining as well as an optimized interior layout. It offers grab-and-go options as well as a hot bar serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily and electronic kiosk ordering. Popular items include Southern Fried Chicken Tenders, macaroni and cheese and potato logs. Additional items include the Parker’s Kitchen Spicy Chicken Tender Sandwich, freshly made salads, gourmet coffee, freshly brewed sweet tea, Fancy Lemonade, 28-degree beer, fountain drinks with Chewy Ice and a wide range of convenience items. The new store offers six fueling positions with regular, diesel and ethanol-free marine fuel.

Net new stores: 1

Casey’s General Stores opened a new c-store in Channahon, Illinois, on Oct. 19. The 4,569-square-foot store has a six-gasoline pump island setup offering 87E, 91E, 93E, Unleaded 88 and biodiesel.

Net new stores: 1

QuikTrip opened a new c-store in Overland Park, Kansas, on Oct. 26.

Net new stores: 1

Pruitt’s Automotive, the last full-service gas station in Louisville, Kentucky, in the St. Matthews area of the city, closed after 63 years on Oct. 13. The automotive shop closed Oct. 6. Owner Rocky Pruitt said his father Elvin Pruitt acquired the business in 1960. Axis Investments LLC has purchased the station. Pruitt said he does not know what the buyer plans to do with it.

Net new stores: -1

Kwik Trip opened a new c-store in Iron Mountain, Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula, on Oct. 5.

Net new stores: 1

Casey’s General Stores opened a new c-store in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, on Oct. 26.

Net new stores: 1

Wawa closed a c-store in Hillsborough, New Jersey, on Oct. 2.

Murphy USA’s QuickChek opened a new, 5,670-square-foot c-store in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, on Oct. 31. Amenities include an open floor plan with spacious standalone food displays and wide aisles; no-fee ATMs; 12 fueling positions; indoor seating for 10 people and outdoor seating for eight; and 56 parking spaces plus three spaces for oversized vehicles.

Net new stores: 0

BW Gas & Convenience Holdings LLC closed an Allsup’s Convenience Store in the International District in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in October.

Net new stores: -1

A new 7-Eleven c-store and gas station opened in Leland, North Carolina, in the Leland Town Center, on Oct. 18.

Royal Farms opened a new c-store in Kinston, North Carolina, on Oct. 23. It features a gas station with 16 fuel pumps including an ethanol-free pump.

Net new stores: 2

Sheetz opened a new c-store in Springfield, Ohio, on Oct. 3.

Net new stores: 1

Wawa opened a new c-store in East Norriton, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 12.

In mid-October, the Allegheny County Health Department shut down Boretta, a c-store and eatery in the Homewood neighborhood in Pittsburgh for numerous health code violations, including operating without a valid health permit; failed to submit construction and remodeling plans before building or renovating a food facility; and had failed to obtain health department food safety plan review compliance before constructing or remodeling a food facility. It also lacked a three-compartment sink to wash, rinse and sanitize food contact equipment and utensils. Additionally, the flooring consisted of unfinished plywood.

A 7-Eleven c-store in Pittsburgh, near Point Park University, closed on Oct. 25 because of theft, staffing and supply issues. The store is a franchise owned by Miramar Brands.

Net new stores: -1

A new Shell gas station in Lakeland, Tennessee, in Lakeland Town Square, opened on Oct. 24. The station is a multi-tenant fuel center that includes a c-store. The building can also accommodate two other businesses, which are located on either side of the c-store. One of those businesses features a drive-thru window.

Net new stores: 1

BW Gas & Convenience Holdings LLC opened a new Allsup’s Convenience Store in Abilene, Texas, on Oct. 29.

Net new stores: 1

Royal Farms opened a new c-store in Bristol, Virginia, on Oct. 16. It features a gas station with 12 fuel pumps including an ethanol-free pump and a carwash.

A Japanese-style c-store, Daruma Japanese Market, opened in Richmond, Virginia, on Oct. 21, the retailer’s second location. Offerings include classic Japanese snacks as well as caviar and wagyu.Japanese immigrants “were the backbone of the local workforce, tirelessly engaged in fishing, fish processing and various aspects of the fishing industry,” a statement said. “Their unwavering resilience in the face of challenges, including language barriers and social isolation, is an inspiration.”

Net new stores: 2

Foxtrot opened its sixth Washington, D.C., c-store in the Logan Circle neighborhood on Oct. 18. features the former Barrel House Liquors storefront built into an updated design.

Net new stores: 1

Kwik Trip opened a new travel center on Interstate-43 in Belgium, Wisconsin, in mid-October.

Net new stores: 1

NEW STORES OPENED IN OCTOBER 2023: 16

STORES CLOSED IN OCTOBER 2023: 6

NET NEW STORES IN OCTOBER 2023: 10

TOTAL NET NEW STORES IN 2023: 262

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