What's In Store: Love's, Parker's & Rocket Oil

4/3/2017

NATIONAL REPORT — The convenience store industry landscape is constantly changing as chains open and close stores each week. On a regular basis, Convenience Store News highlights these comings and goings in this special roundup.

Cumberland Farms

Cumberland Farms opened a new store in Cocoa, Fla., with a celebration on April 6. The 4,996-square-foot location boasts an interior high-top bar counter, outdoor patio seating, four fuel pumps and 24 parking spaces.

Kum & Go LC

Kum & Go LC's latest convenience store began ringing up customers on March 23 in Springfield, Mo. The more than 6,200-square-foot store features the retailer's new Marketplace design — including the expanded and open food preparation area.

Other location features include:

Elevated food experience with Kum & Go's "Go Fresh Market"
Open kitchen layout, clear aisles and easy-to-navigate zones
Seating inside with heated patio seating outside
Complimentary Wi-Fi and charging stations for customers
Designed for LEED-certified status, using energy efficient and sustainable design practice

Kum & Go operates 46 stores in the Springfield area, and more than 70 in the state of Missouri.

Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores

Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores opened two travel stops on Feb. 23, one in Brigham City, Utah, and the other in Greenup, Ill. The Brigham City travel stop is located at Interstate 15 and Forest Street. The Greenup facility is located at Interstate 70 and State Route 30.

"Both of these will be great locations that provide services to professional drivers in areas of need," said Greg Love, co-CEO of Love's. "The Brigham City, Utah, facility will be a great location for drivers going to and from Salt Lake City, and the Greenup, Ill., location is along Interstate 70 connecting Indianapolis and St. Louis. We look forward to providing drivers in new parts of Utah and Illinois with the 'Clean Places, Friendly Faces' Love's is known for."

The Brigham City travel stop offers Subway and Carl's Jr. restaurants, 94 truck-parking spaces and seven showers. The Greenup location features a game room, Chester's Chicken and IHOP Express restaurants, 92 truck-parking spaces and seven showers.

The Oklahoma City-based retailer also welcomed customers at its second Maryland location on March 9. The new travel stop in Hagerstown, at Interstate 81 and Showalter Road, adds 84 truck-parking spaces to the area.

The Hagerstown Love's features Subway and Wendy's restaurants, seven showers, eight diesel pumps, CAT scales, a Love's Truck Tire Care center and other driver services. Love's first location in Maryland opened in 2015 in Cumberland at Interstate 68, Exit 46/47.

In addition, the retailer expanded further in Florida, opening its 14th travel stop in the state on March 23. The Love's Travel Stop in Moore Haven adds 77 truck parking spaces to the area along U.S. Highway 27 and State Road 78.

The location features an Arby's restaurant, five showers, six diesel pumps, a game room, CAT scales and other driver services.

Parker's

Parker's has added to its Georgia portfolio with a new convenience store in Pooler, a move aimed at meeting "strong customer demand," according to President and CEO Greg Parker.

The new store features a hot deli serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, including popular Parker's offerings prepared fresh on-site. Highlights include a full breakfast bar with egg casserole, bacon, sausage, cheese grits and biscuits, as well as all-natural Southern fried chicken tenders, homemade mac 'n' cheese, vegetables and daily specials.

The Pooler store sells Parker's gas as well as the company's signature Chewy Ice, fountain drinks, freshly brewed tea and lemonade, gourmet coffee, fruit, salads, 28-degree beer, vape products, and cell phone accessories.

Customers can choose the Parker's Cash Card or PumpPal Card, both of which offer savings at the pump.

Rocket Oil Co.

Ideal Market, Rocket Oil Co.'s c-store chain in Kentucky, opened a new location in Hanson. The 20th Ideal Market location is the second in Hanson.

"We're excited to announce the opening of the newest location in our growing Ideal Market chain. Our mission has always been to serve and grow the communities we're rooted in and we can't wait to continue doing the same for Hanson," said Tom Eveland, vice president of the Rocket Oil Co. "We're looking forward to growing our relationship with the Hanson community and providing them with the brightest, cleanest and friendliest markets in town."

The location features top tier Marathon fuels and a Subway restaurant. Since the store's opening on Jan. 31, location management has hired more than 20 employees from the Hanson community.

7-Eleven Hawaii

7-Eleven Hawaii will cut the ribbon in its second convenience store in Downtown Honolulu later this year. The new 1,600-square-foot store will employ up to 15 people and will occupy space in Pioneer Plaza.

The retailer recently opened a new c-store with gas in Haleiwa on Oahu's North Shore that also has a gas station. The company also plans to open a location in Pearl City in Central Oahu in the second quarter.