New Convenience-Store Roundup for September 2020
New Convenience-Store Roundup for September 2020
By Greg Lindenberg on Oct. 08, 2020CHICAGO — This edition of New Convenience-Store Roundup features new-to-industry c-store openings and closings that took place in September 2020.
While c-stores, as officially designated essential businesses, have remained open during the COVID-19 pandemic, the uncertainly surrounding the global health crisis led to a pause on store expansion earlier this year. But the pace of new-store openings as captured by CSP's current count continues to recover from the economic slowdown.
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 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 …
Alabama
Market Express, a BP gas station and convenience store, opened on Sept. 1, in Athens, Ala.
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.
Arkansas
California
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new truckstop in Boron, Calif., on Sept. 24. The more than 12,000-square-foot location features 79 truck, 81 car and seven RV parking spaces; six diesel bays; a Carl’s Jr restaurant and Fresh Kitchen concept; eight showers; laundry; Mobile to Go electronics section; Love’s Truck Care with Speedco; CAT scale; and a dog park.
Net new stores: 1
Florida
Rogers Market opened a new c-store and Marathon gas station in in Bradenton, Fla., on Sept. 14. The 4,700-square-foot store has outdoor seating. Two on-site chefs will create high-end food such as rotisserie turkey. It also features Rocket Fuel, its signature coffee.
Net new stores: 1
Illinois
Wally’s opened a travel center in Pontiac, Ill., in mid-September. The 30,000-square-foot facility features 76 fueling positions; four electric-vehicle charging stations with 50k-watt chargers and canopy; c-store with road trip essentials, camping supplies and Wally’s merchandise; restrooms with more than 40 stalls; a coffee bar, popcorn bar, beef jerky bar and a carving station for hot, fresh food and a wall of fountain drinks with more than 60 flavors, 12 slushy options and a walk-in beer cooler.
Thorntons opened a new c-store in Warrenville, Ill., on Sept. 15. The 5,500-square-foot facility on more than 8 acres features LED lighting, 20 auto fueling positions and five diesel lanes, burritos and sandwiches prepared onsite daily, beverages and self-checkout.
Net new stores: 2
Iowa
Kansas
Maryland
Penny Mart, a new c-store on the first floor of a building in downtown Hagerstown, Md., opened on Sept. 1. CEO Jamil Malik said the new business could be the first of a few stores in Hagerstown. He also said there will be franchise opportunities.
Wawa opened a new c-store in Canton, Md., on Sept. 3
Net new stores: 2
Massachusetts
Volta Oil opened a new Garrett’s Family Market c-store in Barnstable, Mass., on Sept. 24. It features five gasoline pumps, one also offering diesel fuel. The location features a bean-to-cup coffee program including nitro and cold brew coffees, handcrafted and all-natural organic signature fountain and frozen drinks; fresh hot foods including calzones, garden salads, personal frittatas, breakfast sandwiches and freshly baked goods. It also features Barnyard Subs. The store offers indoor and outdoor seating six feet apart and outlets for charging, as well as free Wi-Fi. Other services include an ATM, lottery tickets, bagged ice, propane tank filling and an air refill station. The store loyalty program is Garrett’s Rewards, with Market Pay via mobile app.
Net new stores: 1
Minnesota
Nevada
New Jersey
7-Eleven opened a new c-store inside the Palisades Center Mall in West Nyack, N.J., on Sept. 23.
Net new stores: 1
New York
On Sept. 14, Chestnut Market opened a new c-store with Mobil gas a Dunkin’ Donuts in Marlboro, N.Y.
Stewart’s Shops opened a new c-store in Rotterdam, N.Y., on Sept. 18.
Net new stores: 2
North Carolina
QuikTrip opened a new, 5,000-square-foot c-store in Cornelius, N.C., on Sept. 10.
Quality Oil opened a new Quality Mart c-store on Sept. 12 in Kernersville, N.C.
7-Eleven opened a new c-store in High Point, N.C., in mid-September.
Sheetz opened new c-stores in Durham, N.C., on Sept. 3 and Fayetteville, N.C., on Sept. 17.
Net new stores: 5
Ohio
Sheetz opened a new c-store in Willoughby, Ohio, on Sept. 10.
Giant Eagle opened a new GetGo Café + Market in Elyria, Ohio, in mid-September. The 24-hour location has 16 gas pumps, a wide selection of domestic, imported and craft beers.
Truck World, a new truckstop, opened on Sept. 24 in Conneaut, Ohio, at Route 7 and Interstate 90.
Net new stores: 3
Pennsylvania
Sheetz opened new c-stores in Pennsylvania in Palmer Township in the Lehigh Valley on Sept. 10 and in Lower Allen Township on Sept. 30.
Net new stores: 2
Texas
QuikTrip reached the 850-store mark on Sept. 17 with the opening of four c-stores, three in Texas and one in Arizona. The Texas locations include two in San Antonio and one in Austin.
7-Eleven opened two c-stores in Frisco, Texas, in September.
Net new stores: 5
Virginia
Wawa opened two new c-stores in Virginia in September, a 7,860-square-foot c-store in Manassas, Va., which has eight pumps and 46 parking spaces, and a 6,086-square-foot location in Yorktown, Va., which has 18 pumps and 48 parking spaces.
Net new stores: 2
NEW STORES OPENED IN SEPTEMBER 2020: 33
STORES CLOSED IN SEPTEMBER 2020: 1
NET NEW STORES FOR SEPTEMBER 2020: 32
TOTAL NET NEW STORES FOR 2020: 193
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.