New Convenience-Store Roundup for September 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 September 2023.

Ohio had the most new stores for the month, with six locations opening in the Buckeye State. By company, Sheetz opened the most stores in the month, with six in Ohio and one each in Maryland and North Carolina. Other notable openings included a new Amazon Go store in Washington, following the closing of eight earlier in the year, and a new Wawa location in Virginia featuring the chain’s “next-generation” store design.

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 ofCSP’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. ...

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Prescott, Arkansas, off Interstate 30 at 2005 Highway 19 North, on Sept. 21. It has 84 truck parking spaces, 88 car parking spaces and four RV hookups. The location will also feature the company’s fourth truck wash, a newer amenity Love’s started adding earlier this year, and a Speedco truck care facility will open in late October. The site has eight diesel bays and a CAT Scale. The more than 13,000-square-foot store features a Bojangles quick-service restaurant (QSR) and bean-to-cup gourmet coffee. It has seven showers, a laundry facility and a Mobile to Go Zone for electronics.

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.

A new ARCO gas station and ampm c-store opened in Victorville, California, on Sept. 11. The station also includes eight double gas pumps, and separate tenant space that will be occupied by a restaurant.

Alimentation Couche-Tard opened a new Circle K c-store selling Union 76 gas in mid-September just outside of the Ceres, California, city limits.The new 5,300-square-foot includes Pizza Hut and Jamba Juice quick-service restaurants (QSRs). A 1,530-square-foot Express Car Wash is also on the premises in a separate building.

In September, Trevor Madden and Tanner Richard opened Santa’s Convenience Store on Santa Claus Lane in Carpinteria, California. The store has traditional convenience items such as candy, snacks, drinks and other items. It also has knick-knacks and souvenirs, and the owners plan on stocking local items.

Net new stores: 3

Maverik opened a new, 4,425-square-foot c-store in Avon, Colorado, on Sept. 15. The station offers free electric car charging at its electric charging station, which has two connections. There are 12 fuel pump spaces.

Net new stores: 1

Wawa opened two new c-stores in southwestern Florida, both on Sept. 14, in Port Charlotte and North Port. 

Net new stores: 2

QuikTrip opened a new c-store in Bloomingdale, Georgia, on Sept. 7.

A Motiva 76 Columbus Gas Station opened on Sept. 15 in Columbus, Georgia.

Net new stores: 2

Casey’s General Stores opened a new c-store in Winfield, Illinois, on Sept. 14.

Midwest Petroleum opened a new gas station in Wood River, Illinois, on Sept. 15.

Net new stores: 2

Casey’s General Stores opened a new c-store in Hammond, Indiana, on Sept. 14.

Net new stores: 1

Kwik Trip opened a Kwik Star c-store in Decorah, Iowa, on Sept. 8. It features a single car wash bay, eight fuel dispensers and the new company's “Generation 3” layout.

Net new stores: 1

Sheetz opened a new, 6,100-square-foot c-store in Elkton, Maryland, on Sept. 25. It features a drive-thru and indoor and outdoor seating.

Net new stores: 1

Nouria Energy opened a new c-store in Milford, Massachusetts, in mid-September.

Net new stores: 1

Sheetz opened a new c-store in Sanford, North Carolina, on Sept. 21.

Royal Farms opened its second location in Greenville, North Carolina, on Sept. 25, near East Carolina University. It has 16 fuel pumps including an ethanol-free pump, as well as a car wash.

Net new stores: 2

Sheetz opened six new c-stores in Ohio: Westerville, Ohio, on Sept. 19; Obetz, Ohio, on Sept. 21; Columbus, Ohio, the chain’s 700th location, on Sept. 25; New Concord, Ohio, at I-70 exit 169, on Sept. 28, with seven high-flow diesel fuel and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) for semi-trucks, 14 fuel terminals for other vehicles and 29 free overnight parking spaces for truckers; North Jackson, Ohio, at I-70 exit 57, on Sept. 30, with five high-flow diesel fuel and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) for semi-trucks, 12 fuel terminals for other vehicles and 59 free overnight parking spaces for truckers; and Springfield, Ohio, at I-70 exit 57, also on Sept. 30, with eight high-flow diesel fuel and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) for semi-trucks, 16 fuel terminals for other vehicles and 32 free overnight parking spaces for truckers.

Net new stores: 6

Casey’s General Stores opened a new c-store in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on Sept. 22. It features five lanes for high-flow diesel fuel and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) for semi-trucks and 12 fuel terminals for other vehicles. The site will also provide 59 parking spots, accommodating overnight stays for truckers.

Net new stores: 1

A Snappy’s c-store in Centre Hall, Pennsylvania, closed its doors on Sept. 25 after 25 years “due to circumstances beyond our control,” the company said in a statement.

Net new stores: -1

Kwik Trip opened the first Kwik Star c-store in South Dakota, in Brandon, on Sept. 21.

Net new stores: 1

TXB opened two new c-stores—in Bryan, Texas, on Sept. 19 and Kyle, Texas, on Sept. 20. The sites include electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations.

Foxtrot opened a new c-store in Dallas on Sept. 19.

Net new stores: 3

Wawa opened a new c-store in Henrico, Virginia, on Sept. 21. It features the chain’s first “next generation” store design, which includes an all-new exterior design with a defined centered entry point, “V”-shaped column and a cantilever roof canopy. Inside, the “warm and inviting” modern materials and pallet and aesthetics with a raised ceiling and large windows that let light shine inside. “This new design is the next, important step in our continued store evolution journey. It reflects our current ‘best thinking’ for design and efficiency, showcasing our expanding off-premise offers, built-to-order beverages and pizza,” said Michelle Walsh, director of new store design.

Net new stores: 1

Amazon opened a new, 3,800-square-foot Amazon Go cashierless c-store in Puyallup, Washington, on Sept. 26. This new store is the third suburban format store in the Seattle suburbs and the sixth store of this format in the United States. Its Made-to-Order menu features more than 35 items, including the Crispy Chicken Bacon Ranch, the Cuban and the Sausage, Egg & Cheddar Sandwich. The store also offers an expanded selection of grab-and-go food and beverage items, including family meals, beer and wine and everyday essentials. It offers a variety of specialty beverages including Starbucks freshly brewed coffee, Coca-Cola fountain soda and ICEE frozen beverages. Local food and beverage items include Alki Bakery, Macrina Bakery, Molly’s, Reuben’s Brews, Georgetown Brewing, Stoup Brewing (Bal), Charles Smith and Gilbert Cellars. And it offers a curated selection of items for home, personal, health, pets and auto. Customers can return eligible items purchased on Amazon.com to this location at the customer service counter located inside the store. This store has an Amazon Hub Locker onsite that enables customers to pick up eligible items purchased on Amazon.com at this location.

Net new stores: 1

The Quarrier Store, a bodega in downtown Charleston, West Virginia, opened in mid-September, next door to the owner’s Super Weenie hot dog establishment. The store intentionally does not sell tobacco or lottery tickets.

Alimentation Couche-Tard opened a new Circle K c-store with Liberty gas in Kearneysville, West Virginia, on Sept. 16. It features Papa Johns, Planet Smoothie and Krispy Krunchy Chicken QSRs.

Net new stores: 2

Kwik Trip opened a new c-store in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, in mid-September.

Net new stores: 1

NEW STORES OPENED IN SEPTEMBER 2023: 32

STORES CLOSED IN SEPTEMBER 2023: 1

NET NEW STORES IN SEPTEMBER 2023: 31

TOTAL NET NEW STORES IN 2023: 252

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