New Convenience-Store Roundup for September 2017
New Convenience-Store Roundup for September 2017
By Greg Lindenberg on Sep. 26, 2017CHICAGO -- This edition of New Convenience-Store Roundup features new c-store openings, closings and more for the month of September 2017.
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. convenience stores, gas stations, truckstops and travel centers not previously reported in CSP Daily News. (Those stores are not counted here.)
- Click here for new c-store roundups from previous months, along with other grand-opening and new-store coverage.
Many of the stores listed here are owned by independent operators, while others belong to major chains. And many are part of CSP’s Top 202 list of the largest chains in the industry. Some represent new entrepreneurs, while others are longtime business owners exiting the industry.
Unless noted otherwise, the new locations offer the food, snacks, beverages, tobacco, merchandise, services and amenities found in most c-stores. Most offer gasoline.
Click through for a state-by-state breakdown …
Florida
Murphy USA opened a new Murphy Express c-store in Orlando, Fla., on Sept. 27.
Net new stores*: 1
*Represents stores opened minus stores closed in this state for the month of this count only; count does not include acquisitions, new ownership, rebranding or raze-and-rebuilds. It also does not include any store openings or closings previously reported in CSP Daily News. Other c-stores not captured by this count may have opened or closed in the state.
Georgia
Illinois
Dwight and Teresa Flowers are the new owners of the Hit-N-Run c-stores, a six-store chain in southern Illinois. They held a celebration on Sept. 12 in Bethalto, Ill. Teresa Flowers worked under previous owners for 40 years, starting as a clerk and finally as director of operations.
In September, Bob and Jill Hatheway purchased the Land of Oz convenience store and gas station in Mount Carroll, Ill. The Hatheways, who own the Shaw’s Marketplace grocery store, have renamed it Shaw’s Express. The former owners, Carol and Richard "Oz" Frey, who opened the location 22 years ago, have retired.
Net new stores*: 0
Iowa
Kansas
Haag Oil, the new owner of the former Short Stop c-store and Phillips 66 gas station in Ottawa, Kansas, has reopened as a Kicks 66. It offers Hunt Brothers Pizza instead of Papa Johns.
Net new stores: 0
Maine
After 100 years and three generations of ownership by the Quimby family, Thayer's Store, a c-store in Windham, Maine, closed its doors on Sept. 22. Judy and John Quimby have retired.
Net new stores: -1
Missouri
MFA Oil opened a Break Time truckstop in Moberly, Mo. The 6,000-square-foot store is Break Time’s first truckstop and features five diesel fueling positions, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) pumps, parking for up to 25 trucks, a lounge, showers, laundry machines, free Wi-Fi and a large seating area. It also features the chain’s Smokestack Bar.B.Q foodservice concept, as well as Hunt Brothers Pizza and breakfast sandwiches.
The Oak Tree Mart c-store opened on Sept. 27 in Neosho, Mo.
Net new stores: 2
Nevada
In early September, Terrible Herbst converted a Fresh N Easy store in Las Vegas that had been closed into a Herbst Market small-format grocery and c-store. It also sells fuel.
Murphy USA opened a new Murphy Express c-store in North Las Vegas, Nev., on Sept. 7.
Maverik opened a new c-store in Reno, Nev., on Sept. 27.
Net new stores: 3
New Jersey
Wawa closed a c-store in Ventnor, N.J., on Sept. 29. "We have conducted careful and extensive evaluation and determined that this store simply cannot deliver the experience our customers deserve,” the company said.
Net new stores: -1
New Mexico
A Giant gas station and c-store in Alamogordo, N.M., open since 1986, closed its doors on Sept. 26.
Net new stores: -1
New York
TT Convenience & Cafe opened in Auburn, N.Y., on Sept. 1, on the site of the old Jordan Mini Mart, which closed last October.
Stewart’s Shops opened a new c-store in North Creek, N.Y., on Sept. 13., replacing a previous location down the road. Stewart’s Shops also held the grand opening for a new c-store in Halfmoon, N.Y., on Sept. 15, replacing the previous shop at this location. The chain also opened a new c-store in Schenectady, N.Y., on Sept. 22, replacing its previous shop right next to it, which the company is knocking down to make way for a new fuel island and more parking. And it opened a new c-store in Charlton, N.Y., on Sept. 27, across the street from an old store.
Alimentation Couche-Tard opened a new Circle K c-store in Syracuse, N.Y., on Sept. 19. Although it is a newly built store, it is connected to the Nice N Easy chain that the company acquired when it became the owner of CST Brands. The location features Nice N Easy’s Easy Street Bakery.
Net new stores: 2
North Carolina
Sheetz opened a new c-store in Greensboro, N.C., on Sept. 11.
Murphy USA opened new Murphy Express c-stores in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Sept. 18 and Fayetteville, N.C., on Sept. 20.
A new Provisions on Demand (POD) c-store held its grand opening in Luby Wood Hall on the campus of Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C., on Sept. 20.
A 7-Eleven c-store in Kernersville, N.C., held a grand opening on Sept. 20 after changing ownership. Reginald Noble, a 20-year retired Navy veteran who has been with 7-Eleven for 12 years as a store manager, took over the franchise for the store.
Net new stores: 4
Oklahoma
Kum & Go opened the doors on Sept. 14 to a new c-store in Bixby, Okla., replacing an existing store across the street. The more-than-6,000-square-foot store focuses on fresh food and the chain’s Go Fresh Market open-kitchen layout, aisles and zones, with seating inside and patio seating outside.
QuikTrip opened a new c-store in Tulsa, Okla., on Sept. 14.
Net new stores: 1
Pennsylvania
A Mr. Butts Tobacco Express c-store opened in Titusville, Pa., on Sept. 1. It specializes in cigarettes, cigars, roll-you-own (RYO) supplies and vaping, but it also carries snacks and drinks and will offer lottery tickets.
Sheetz opened a new c-store in Carlisle, Pa., on Sept. 28.
A 7-Eleven c-store closed on Sept. 28 in Pittsburgh. The University of Pittsburgh is replacing it with a university-owned grocery store.
Net new stores: 2
Texas
A new 76 travel center held its grand opening in Nash, Texas, on Sept. 21. It features four restaurants, including a Texas Best Smokehouse, Steak N Shake, Golden Chick and Dunkin’ Donuts.
In mid-September, Garrison Food Mart completed the acquisition of a closed, former Taylor Food Mart in Memphis, Texas. It offers Chevron-branded fuel. It will offer an expanded coffee and cappuccino program, as well as expanded fountain and prepared-foods programs.
Murphy USA opened new Murphy Express c-stores in Fort Worth, Texas, and Plano, Texas, on Sept. 14.
Net new stores: 4
Virginia
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Talleysville, Va., on Sept. 21. The 24/7 facility features an Arby’s restaurant, seven showers, 86 truck parking spaces, a game room, public laundry facilities, Love’s Truck Tire Care center and more.
Sheetz opened a new c-store in Bristow, Va., on Sept. 26.
Net new stores: 2
West Virginia
A new ROCS Local Market opened in Hedgesville, W.Va., on Sept. 7.
Net new stores: 1
TOTAL NEW STORES FOR SEPTEMBER 2017: 21
TOTAL NEW STORES FOR 2017: 258
- To be sure your locations are listed in this roundup, please send new-store announcements to Greg Lindenberg at glindenberg@winsightmedia.com.