Stop’n Go Exits Industry, Sells to TravelCenters

WESTLAKE and MEDINA, Ohio — Stop’n Go has become the latest convenience store chain to sell its business and exit the industry. All 10 Stop’n Go stores in Ohio were acquired by TravelCenters of America LLC, which announced Wednesday the completion of the previously disclosed acquisition.

TravelCenters, based in Westlake, Ohio, said the Stop’n Go stores will be rebranded as Minit Mart convenience stores and undergo improvements in the coming months. TravelCenters currently conducts business in 43 states and Canada, principally under the TA and Petro Stopping Centers travel center brands and the Minit Mart convenience store brand.

Founded in 1963, Medina-based Stop’n Go was originally operated by Carl and Ruth Abell to provide milk distribution for the family-owned Elm Farm Dairy. In 1987, daughter Becky Shotwell and husband Frank became the next generation to take the helm of Stop’n Go. Expanded foodservice, Subway restaurants, ATMs and car washes were added to meet customer needs.

Through the years, Stop’n Go has always maintained a strong commitment to the communities in which the chain's stores are located.

Becky and Frank Shotwell stated in a news release that they have enjoyed the convenience store business and “will miss the many employees and customers who helped them grow the Stop’n Go chain to what it is today.”

Terry Monroe of American Business Brokers & Advisors, based in Effingham, Ill., and Bill Fecht of W.J.F. Services Inc. based in Normal, Ill., provided merger and acquisition advisory services to Stop’n Go.