What's In Store: Openings & Closings

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.

Here are the latest company spotlights:

Kum & Go LC

Kum & Go, based in West Des Moines, Iowa, opened a new store in Muskogee, Okla., at 2400 E. Hancock Road, replacing an older store located at 2301 S. York St. This brings Kum & Go’s presence to eight stores in Muskogee, 58 stores throughout Oklahoma and more than 420 total for the company.

The nearly 5,000-square-foot store introduces many new features, including a center checkout area with customer-focused staff and an expanded Go Fresh Market offering fresh, made-to-order pizzas, as well as breakfast and deli sandwiches, and baked goods ― all made fresh daily in Kum & Go’s on-site kitchen.

Outside, a larger number of fueling positions and offerings, including the only E85 fuel in Muskogee, provides customers more choices and value at the pump.

Another distinguishing feature of Kum & Go’s new store design is its strong emphasis on sustainability. New stores are constructed with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification in mind, and each is submitted under the rigorous guidelines to become LEED certified. Sustainable features of this new Kum & Go store include Solatube skylights, LED lighting both inside and outside the store, low-flow water efficient fixtures and high energy-efficiency equipment.

Pilot Flying J

Pilot Flying J broke ground on a new Pilot Travel Center in Odessa, Texas, which will feature full amenities for area residents, professional drivers and the traveling public.

The Pilot Travel Center will be located just off Interstate 20 at exit 121 (Loop 338), and construction is expected to be completed by this fall.

The new facility will feature many amenities including a McDonald’s; a Pilot Flying J deli; premium coffee and cappuccino selections; and much more. More details about the facility’s offerings will be announced closer to its opening.

Shop24 Global

Shop24 Global, based in Westerville, Ohio, opened its 10th location in New York on the campus of The State University of New York (SUNY) College of Agriculture and Technology in Cobleskill, N.Y., and will serve the students that live and study in the 10 residence halls on the campus.

Shop24 is a self-contained, totally automated and refrigerated convenience store, offering more than 200 items in a well-lit, security camera-monitored environment.

"Shop24 offers an extensive array of items for students on the run, and will certainly satisfy those late night cravings. It will also serve our campus community when classes are not in session -- a time when our retail and resident dining operations are limited," Cobleskill Auxiliary Services' Executive Director Brian Marhaver stated.

TravelCenters of America LLC

TravelCenters of America, operator of the TA and Petro Stopping Centers travel center brands, opened a newly built truck service facility at the TA travel center located at Interstate 65, Exit 230, in DeMotte, Ind., offering four service bays and open 24/7. This brings the company's total number of truck service facilities to 233.

There are highly trained ASE- and TIA-certified technicians at the new location, specializing in light-duty repair, brakes, electrical, alignment, air conditioning, preventive maintenance, inspections and RoadSquad emergency road call services. The facility also includes a back-up generator to provide power when there is an electrical outage.

Additionally, the design features an outdoor patio, where drivers can relax and enjoy the outdoors while their truck maintenance is completed, as well as an indoor waiting area with televisions.

“This is the third Truck Service facility we have built and opened within the last month,” said Tom O’Brien, president and CEO of TravelCenters. “We are happy to continue to be able to build and offer more truck maintenance and repair shops to our owner-operator and fleet customers. Now, nearly all of our locations have a truck service facility." 

In other news, the company also acquired and rebranded a new TA travel center located at Interstate 40, Exit 170 (1670 U.S. Hwy 601 North) in Mocksville, N.C. The opening of this location raises the total number of travel centers in the TA and Petro Stopping Centers network to 247.

Amenities at the new TA location include 145 truck parking spaces on an expansive, well-lit parking lot; eight diesel lanes; a fully stocked travel store; seven showers; a full-service, sit-down restaurant; a TA Truck Service facility with three service bays; RoadSquad emergency roadside service; and an UltraONE Rewards Program kiosk and swiping system.

This location also offers a variety of other full-service professional driver amenities, including Wi-Fi, a weigh scale, an ATM, and check-cashing and TripPak services. Gasoline is offered at four fueling lanes.