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
Food Fast Convenience Store, located at 511 W. Panola Street and owned by parent company CEFCO Convenience Stores, closed Dec. 9 after many years of business in Carthage, Texas, according to a report by the Longview News Journal.

A call to CEFCO confirmed the store was closing because it wasn’t earning enough income. Of the store’s six employees, two are being offered positions at other store locations, according to a Food Fast employee.

Love’s Travel Stops
Love’s Travel Stops opened four new travel stops: on I-20, at Exit 42 in Pecos, Texas; St. Louis, on I-70, at Exit 246A; Lexington, S.C., on I-20, at Exit 51; and on I-75, at 2217 S. Edwin C Moses Blvd. in Dayton, Ohio.

The Love’s in Pecos features Chester’s International, McDonald’s and Subway restaurants, and 116 truck parking spaces. The St. Louis location offers McDonald’s and Subway restaurants and 97 truck parking spaces. The Lexington store has Chester’s International and McDonald’s restaurants and offers 86 truck parking spaces. The Dayton Love’s features 98 truck parking spaces and a Hardee’s restaurant.

All new locations are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and feature gourmet coffee, name-brand snacks, fresh fruit, gift merchandise and more. Love’s Truck Tire Care centers will be on site at all stores.

Bulk diesel exhaust fluid will be available at the pump at all diesel lanes, along with RFID cardless fueling technology, CAT scales, showers and other amenities to serve professional drivers.

Mid Pac Petroleum
Mid Pac Petroleum opened its first new gas station in Hawaii under the Chevron brand in Kailua-Kona on Dec. 1.

The new gas station is built on land leased from Tom Stevenson, owner of Kona International Market, and sells Chevron-branded fuel, West Hawaii Today reported. Additionally, Chevron closed its other Kailua-Kona gas station at the corner of Palani Road and Kuakini Highway in 2003. Mid Pac Petroleum officials said the new station will be the company's first new venture with Chevron in Hawaii, and an onsite Wikiwiki Mart convenience store will employ 10 people.

Parker’s Corp.
Parker’s opened two new state-of-the-art locations in Metter, Ga., and Bluffton, S.C. The Metter store, located at 300 S.W. Broad St., is the first Parker’s in Candler County. The Bluffton store, located at 6200 Jennifer Court, is the fifth Parker’s in Beaufort County.

Both Parker’s locations feature discounted gasoline and fountain drinks with the company’s signature Chewy Ice; fresh-brewed ice tea; gourmet coffee blends; frozen drink flavors; 28-degree beer and more. Parker’s currently employs more than 400 people throughout Georgia and South Carolina.

Speedway LLC
Speedway LLC opened its first McKeesport, Pa.-area convenience store. Local officials said the Marathon Petroleum Corp. subsidiary is considering three other locations, including proposed stores in Dravosburg, North Versailles Township and White Oak, which are within five miles of the 3,900-square-foot store that opened along E. Fifth Avenue and Elm Street.

“It will feature consumer fueling lanes, a complete convenience store and Speedway's latest evolution in food, a Speedy Café,” company spokesman Eugene L. Freeman told Tribelive.com. “Speedy Café is a fast-casual, full-serve restaurant where customers place their orders at a self-serve kiosk.”

The menu is similar to the those found at Sheetz and GetGo stores, with paninis, submarine sandwiches, specialty dogs, pizzas, breakfast sandwiches, sides, and beverages, including lattes, mochas and smoothies.