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:
CEFCO Convenience Stores opened a newly acquired store in Overton, Texas, on June 12. Prior to the opening, the company completed a major facelift of the site, including adding new color schemes and food offerings that mirror its state-of-the-art prototype locations.
Temple, Texas-based CEFCO is the 30th largest company-operated chain in the convenience retailing industry, operating more than 250 stores in Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Louisiana.
Newark, N.J.-based realty firm Hanini Group and Millburn, N.J.-based Fidelco Realty Group jointly signed a 15-year lease with Krauszer's Food Stores that will allow the chain to open a 2,300-square-foot space at 216 Market St. in Newark, N.J, according to a report by NJBiz.com.
The location, part of the RockPlaza Lofts apartment and retail center, will serve as Krauszer's flagship store.
The RockPlaza Lofts redevelopment is being completed in phases with a total of eight properties. It consists of approximately 34,000 square feet of retail space, as well as more than 80 loft-style apartment units within the area.
Kroger started construction on a new fuel center at its Dunbar Village grocery store in Charleston, W.V., according to a Charleston Daily Mail report. When completed in August, Kroger will hire eight people to staff the fuel center, which will offer several grades of gasoline, auto supplies, candy and tobacco products.
Kroger currently operates six fuel centers in the Charleston area.
Pilot Flying J recently opened a Pilot Travel Center in Caddo Valley, Ark., featuring full amenities for professional drivers and its third PJ Fresh Marketplace, the company’s new, fast-casual dining concept.
As part of Pilot Flying J’s commitment to making life better for America’s drivers, PJ Fresh Marketplace delivers an expanded variety of fresh, fast meal options for drivers. The first PJ Fresh Marketplace opened in March at the Pilot Travel Center in St. Marys, Ga., and the second opened in Cotulla, Texas, in May.
The company plans to open more PJ Fresh Marketplace locations in the coming months.
Located off exit 78 on Interstate 30, the Caddo Valley ravel center offers professional drivers and area residents many amenities, including eight diesel lanes and 12 gasoline lanes with high-speed pumps for quicker refueling; everyday products for quick shopping needs; premium coffee and cappuccino; and the PJ Fresh Marketplace that serves hot, hearty meals, breakfast platters, salads, sandwiches, a frozen yogurt bar, pizza, hot dogs and more.
The new facility is Pilot Flying J's ninth in Arkansas and its 663rd overall in North America. It will provide 100 local jobs and is expected to contribute more than $3.8 million annually in state and local tax revenue.
Stripes Convenience Stores, the retail arm of Susser Holdings Corp. based in Corpus Christi, Texas, broke ground on its first Temple, Texas, location with a ceremony attended by the mayor and other elected officials.
“Temple is an outstanding community. We recognize the growth of Temple and we know the values represented from our company are a perfect match for the city of Temple,” said Steve DeSutter, Stripes president and CEO, addressing the crowd on how the company will fit into the neighborhood.
DeSutter also presented a check to the McLane Children’s Scott and White Hospital during the event.
United Supermarkets, based in Lubbock, Texas, opened its newest freestanding United Express convenience store in Borger, Texas. The 2,400-square-foot store is located southwest of the company’s United Supermarkets location on Highway 136. Store hours at the c-store will mirror that of the main store: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
The Borger location marks the company’s sixth freestanding convenience store – three under the United Express banner and three still under the Taste of Market Street banner. All of the stores will be converted to the United Express brand in the coming months. A seventh location is also scheduled to open July 3.
The newest location features a drive-thru window offering specialty coffee and tea service using the company’s own Arriba brand. A full line of made-to-order coffees and teas – including lattés, smoothies and frappes – is available both inside the c-store and via the drive-thru.
The store also offers a five-pump, 10-dispenser fuel station with both gasoline and diesel. In addition to traditional convenience items, there's a wide assortment of “fresh to-go” items made inside the main store, including breakfast burritos and hot sandwiches, along with fresh fruit, f’real milkshakes and other frozen beverages.
The United Express store opening is the first of two major projects on the retailer's agenda for Borger this year. A “refresh” of the main store is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks.
United Supermarkets currently operates 56 stores under four distinct formats: United Supermarkets, Market Street, Amigos and United Express.