This Year's Best-Designed C-store Chains Are...

NATIONAL REPORT — It's one thing to have an attractive store that grabs the attention of motorists driving by. It's another thing to have an attractive store that delivers an in-store experience unlike anything else consumers have ever encountered at a convenience store. The winners of the 2016 Convenience Store News Store Design Contest achieve both — with flair.

Now in its 11th year, the awards program honors new and rebuilt c-stores whose designs excel in areas such as branding, interior layout, use and effectiveness of signage and logos, and exterior property and landscaping. Construction or remodeling of eligible stores must have taken place between January 2015 and April 2016.  Winners were selected based on innovation, creativity, and the positive impact of the design and/or remodel on the retailer's overall business.

This year's honorees, spanning six categories, are:

BEST ORIGINAL DESIGN

Winner: Kum & Go LC, Johnston, Iowa
Designer: CBX & BRR Architecture

Honorable Mention: Parker's, Ridgeland, S.C.
Designer: api(+)

***

BEST INTERIOR DESIGN

Winner: Grab.n.Go Food Mart, Marshall, Texas
Designer: Paragon Solutions

***

BEST SKY'S THE LIMIT REMODEL  

Winner: All-N-1, Campti, La.
Designer: Paragon Solutions

Honorable Mention: Dirt Cheap, O'Fallon, Mo.
Designer: Paragon Solutions

***

BEST MID-BUDGET REMODEL

Winner: Tang Mart, Attalla, Ala.
Designer: Paragon Solutions

Honorable Mention: Lone Star Food Stores, Van Alstyne, Texas
Designer: Paragon Solutions

***

BEST TRAVEL CENTER DESIGN

Winner: Kwik Stop, Peosta, Iowa
Designer: Hussmann

Honorable Mention: Kings Mahwah, Mahwah, N.J.
Designer: Bolla Oil Corp.

***

BEST INTERNATIONAL DESIGN

Winner: ZOOM, Dubai, United Arab Emeritus
Designer: Emirates National Oil Co.

Editor's note: Beginning Monday, Nov. 21, check out CSNews.com daily for a different profile and photo gallery spotlighting each winner.