The Store convenience-store chain transitioned to a new operator, Reliance Fuel, on Dec. 20, Team Schierl Cos. has announced.
The acquirer, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania-based Reliance Fuel, has retained all The Store employees, Team Schierl said, and all of The Store’s 20 current locations in Wisconsin and Michigan will remain open.
The locations will also continue to offer The Store’s Impact Rewards Plus mobile loyalty app.
“Thank you to all of our guests, associates and the communities that have been loyal patrons of The Store for almost 50 years,” Team Schierl said in announcing the sale. “We have appreciated your support of our family-owned business.”
Team Schierl continues to operate 7 Schierl Tire and Auto Service locations and 30 Subway restaurants, it said.
“We look forward to continuing the excellent service, variety of Wisconsin-produced products and quality fuel that The Store communities have come to expect,” Reliance Fuel said in a statement provided to the Stevens Point Journal. “We are eager to welcome The Store and Wisconsin into our family as we grow to serve even more local communities.”
The rebranding will be a slow transition, the company said, and no store locations will close as they are updated. “Little is going to change except a few logos and colors,” it said.
The Store will be updated to carry Reliance Fuel’s “Fuel On Wisconsin” branding to match Reliance Fuel’s “Fuel On Pennsylvania” brand.
In May 2022, Stevens Point, Wisconsin-based Team Schierl said it would continue operating its stores after selling the buildings and properties to an unnamed real estate investment trust (REIT). Team Schierl continued to own the equipment, fixtures and inventory.
In June 2022, Team Schierl sold The Store brand to Lakewood Ranch, Florida-based West Hill Ranch Group, a division of Mountain Express Oil, which took over ownership and management of the brand, Team Schierl posted on Facebook.
Alpharetta, Georgia-based Mountain Express filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2023. A judge converted the filing from Chapter 11 to Chapter 7 bankruptcy, directing Mountain Express to liquidate its assets.
In September 2023, Schierl Sales Corp. bought back certain intellectual property relating to 25 The Store convenience locations in Wisconsin and Michigan from Mountain Express.
“The conclusion of the bankruptcy proceedings over the last seven months has transitioned the ownership of the land and buildings to a property investment company. As of May 7, 2024, The Store has been notified that the property investment company will not be extending its current operational agreement,” Team Schierl said in a statement provided to CSP at the time. “As it currently stands, The Store will be forced to end its convenience-store operations as of July 31, 2024.”
Only five of the 25 locations had closed by August.
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