New Convenience-Store Roundup for May 2020
New Convenience-Store Roundup for May 2020
By Greg Lindenberg on Jun. 03, 2020CHICAGO — This edition of New Convenience-Store Roundup features new c-store openings, closings and more that took place in May 2020.
New-store openings as captured by CSP's count are down considerably from typical monthly totals, likely reflecting the economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to affect retail. While c-stores, as officially designated essential businesses, remain open, the uncertainly surrounding the pandemic could be leading to a pause on store expansion. In this installment, large chains appear to be continuing some expansion despite the pandemic’s drag on overall growth.
The unscientifically gathered roundup—gleaned from company announcements, websites, email, social media and newspapers around the country, among other sources—is by no means complete, but it serves as a monthly competitive snapshot of newly opened or closed U.S. convenience stores, gas stations, truckstops and travel centers.
- Click here for new c-store roundups from previous months, along with other grand opening and new-store coverage. And click here for coverage of convenience industry mergers-and-acquisitions activity.
Many of the stores listed here are owned by independent operators, while others belong to major chains. Many are part of CSP’s Top 202 list of c-store chains by size. Some of the owners and operators are new entrepreneurs, and some are industry veterans.
Unless otherwise mentioned, the new locations offer the food, snacks, beverages, tobacco, merchandise, services and amenities found in most c-stores. Most offer fuel.
Click through for a state-by-state breakdown …
Alabama
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a location in Smith’s Station, Ala., on May 7. The more than 11,000-square-foot travel stop has 51 truck parking, 60 car parking and three RV parking spaces; six diesel bays; Chester’s Chicken and Godfather’s Pizza quick-service restaurants; a Fresh Kitchen foodservice concept; bean-to-cup coffee; six showers; laundry facilities; Mobile to Go Zone for electronics; CAT scale; and a dog park.
Net new stores*: 1
*Represents stores opened minus stores closed in this state for the month of this count only. Other c-stores not captured by this count may have opened or closed in the state.
Arkansas
Casey’s General Stores opened new c-stores in Danville, Ark., and Gravette, Ark., on May 7 and in Morrilton, Ark., on May 14.
Net new stores: 3
Georgia
Iowa
Casey’s General Stores opened a new c-store in Waterloo, Iowa, on May 7.
Kum & Go opened its first no-fuel, no-parking retail walk-up c-store—unofficially called a ‘godega’—in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, on May 28. The 3,000-square-foot store is located in the newly renovated Edna Griffin Building. The store has the same finishes, lighting and aisles as traditional Kum & Go locations. It features freshly prepared foods, a large assortment of beverages and snacks, as well as health aids, phone accessories and craft beers and wines. It also focuses on sustainability and provides recycled paper bags instead of plastic bags, compostable silverware and straws, recyclable cups and lids and post-consumer recycled food packaging. This location pays tribute to the legacy of civil rights pioneer and human rights activist Edna Griffin with an art installation by Jordan Weber, a Des Moines artist and activist whose work focuses on inner-city communities.
Net new stores: 2
Mississippi
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a location in Walnut, Miss., on May 7. The more than 7,300-square-foot travel stop has 58 truck parking, 55 car parking and two RV parking spaces; five diesel bays; Chester’s Chicken and Godfather’s Pizza quick-service restaurants; a Fresh Kitchen foodservice concept; bean-to-cup coffee; fur showers; laundry facilities; Mobile to Go Zone for electronics; CAT scale; and a dog park.
Net new stores: 1
New Jersey
QuickChek opened a new c-store in Jamesburg, N.J., on May 12. The newly designed, 5,496-square-foot store offers the chain’s Fresh to Go design with more than 50% of the store dedicated to providing freshly prepared food and market items. It features well-spaced food displays, wide aisles, mobile ordering, self-checkout and curbside pickup. The open layout features earth-tone colors, cleaner sightlines and spacious standalone food displays with consumer-friendly expansive aisles. It includes extensive displays of freshly made QuickChek grab-and-go food and a new, streamlined signature menu and a variety of healthy baked snacks and salads. The site has eight gas pumps with 16 fueling positions and 44 parking spaces.
Net new stores: 1
New York
Ohio
Casey’s General Stores opened new c-stores in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, on May 1 and Zenia, Ohio, on May 22.
Net new stores: 2
South Carolina
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a location off Interstate 95 in Summerton, S.C., on May 21. The more than 13,300-square-foot travel stop has 103 truck parking, 64 car parking and seven RV parking spaces; nine diesel bays; McDonald’s and Subway quick-service restaurants; a Fresh Kitchen foodservice concept; bean-to-cup coffee; seven showers; laundry facilities; Mobile to Go Zone for electronics; CAT scale; a dog park; and a Love’s Truck Care facility with Speedco lane.
Net new stores: 1
Texas
Toot ‘n Totum opened a new c-store on May 16 in Amarillo, Texas.
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a location in Laredo, Texas, on May 21. The more than 12,000-square-foot travel stop has 87 truck parking, 69 car parking and three RV parking spaces; eight diesel bays; Godfather’s Pizza, Chester’s Chicken and Subway quick-service restaurants; a Fresh Kitchen foodservice concept; bean-to-cup coffee; eight showers; laundry facilities; Mobile to Go Zone for electronics; CAT scale; a dog park; and a Love’s Truck Care facility.
The Bodega at Craig Ranch, a new c-store and specialty grocery store in McKinney, Texas, opened on May 26. It features fresh produce, mineral water, pastries, breakfast tacos, coffee, wine and gelato from Paciugo, as well as sundries.
A Stop N Shop Food Mart opened in Texarkana, Texas, on May 29.
Net new stores: 4
Wisconsin
Casey’s General Stores opened a new c-store in Newburg, Wis., on May 21.
Net new stores: 1
NEW STORES OPENED IN MAY 2020: 18
STORES CLOSED IN MAY 2020: 0
NET NEW STORES FOR MAY 2020: 18
TOTAL NET NEW STORES FOR 2020: 82
To be sure your locations are listed in upcoming roundups, please send new-store announcements and other news to Greg Lindenberg at glindenberg@winsightmedia.com.