Casey's Begins Transition of Stop-n-Go Stores

ANKENY, Iowa -- Two months after purchasing the Stop-n-Go chain, Casey's General Stores Inc. has begun transitioning the 24 convenience stores acquired through the deal -- but not all will make the cut.

Twenty of the stores are located in North Dakota and the remaining four are in Minnesota. According to a report by INFORUM, three Fargo, N.D., area Stop-n-Go stores will not be making the switch to the Casey's banner, and instead will close their doors as a result of the sale.

Bill Walljasper, senior vice president and chief financial officer of Casey's, said the locations were selected for closure for a number of reasons. For example, if an existing Casey's store is in close proximity, it doesn't make sense to open another, he told the news outlet.

In addition, one of the locations in Wahpeton, N.D., is attached to a strip mall, which is not a desirable option, Walljasper said, noting that Casey's is looking for land in the town on which to build. "That's a community we'd like to be in. We want to make sure we're going to be in that community long term, and [the current location is] not a long-term solution," he said.

The Wahpeton store will close Sunday night, while the Stop-n-Go at 3216 12th Ave. N. in Fargo will close today and a location in Fergus Falls, Minn., will close at 9 a.m. May 15.

According to Walljasper, all the remaining acquired stores should be transitioned by May 15. Most, if not all, of the newly branded Casey's stores will be remodeled and have prepared food operations added that include fresh-made pizzas, made-to-order sub sandwiches and doughnuts, the news outlet reported.

Ankeny-based Casey's General Stores Inc. has an annual goal to build or acquire 70 to 105 stores. The company operates more than 1,750 convenience stores and gas stations.