Pride C-store Chain Kicks Off 100th Anniversary Celebration

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Massachusetts native Pride convenience stores is marking a milestone: celebrating 100 years in the convenience and fuel retailing industry.

The Springfield-based chain will celebrate by raffling off 100 prizes monthly now through November. Prizes range from free gas to free food items. Every time a customer swipes their rewards card, they will be automatically entered into the raffle, reported WWLP-22News.

Pride CEO Robert Bolduc attributes the store’s success largely to its employees and the company’s ability to be adaptable.

The Pride story began in 1917 with Bolduc’s grandfather, whose business focused on servicing horses and carriages. The business transitioned to vehicle repairs and fuel sales, with the company's first self-serve station opening in 1976. Six years later in 1982, Pride opened the doors to its first c-store in Springfield. 

Today, Pride remains family- and locally owned with 30 c-stores throughout western Massachusetts. According to Bolduc, the c-store chain is hoping to make its mark with foodservice. 

"We’re taking the next big step, and that is into more food stores," the executive stated. "So our goal now is that you will think of Pride not as a gas station that sells food, but a food store that sells gas."