New Convenience-Store Roundup for March 2021

CHICAGO — This edition of New Convenience-Store Roundup features new-to-industry c-store openings and closings that took place in March 2021.

Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores opened three new stores. Many of the other major convenience-retail chains opened new locations in March, including MAPCO, Cumberland Farms, CEFCO, Maverik, Casey's, Kwik Trip, Wawa, Rutter's, Parker's, Toot'n Totum and Sheetz. Meanwhile, Foxtrot opened two new c-stores in Washington, D.C., and Buc-ee’s opened its second store in Florida.

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. c-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. Some are part of CSP’s Top 202 ranking of c-store chains by size (click here for the Top 40 update for 2021; the full 2021 list will appear in the June issue of CSP magazine). 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 …

MAPCO opened a new c-store in Hoover, Ala., in the Birmingham market in late March. The more than 5,000-square-foot location features a modern store design, Wi-Fi, fresh food and grocery items, smoothies, bean-to-cup coffee, a beer cave and 20 fuel pumps.

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.

7-Eleven opened a new c-store in Buena Park, Calif., on March 1. It closed a c-store in San Francisco on March 4. Employees said the store closed because of a rent increase, and the property manager overseeing the location also said the store failed to get a tobacco permit. 

Net new stores: 0

Cumberland Farms opened a new c-store in East Granby, Conn., on March 12, featuring the company’s new design, equipment and food offerings meant to enhance the customer experience and compete with limited-service, fast-casual restaurants. Spanning more than 4,400 square feet, the location offers eight fueling pumps for gas, 30 parking spots and three patio tables for outdoor seating. It also offers curbside pickup and order-ahead capabilities. Among an extensive variety of food and beverage items, this location features the Farmhouse Fresh To Go concept, which includes fresh, handcrafted espresso beverages and a selection of breakfast and lunch sandwiches made daily in its own kitchen. Private-label brands of baked goods, ice cream and snacks will also be available.

Net new stores: 1

CEFCO Convenience Stores opened a new location in DeFuniak Springs, Fla., on March 18, on 2 acres. It is the chain’s first ground-up build in 2021. The 6,054-square-foot store includes Fresh Yo! self-service frozen yogurt, CEFCO Kitchen made-to-order burritos, fried chicken, pizza, and other CEFCO Kitchen food offerings. It features 10 multipump dispensers, which include ethanol free fuel as well as diesel.

Buc-ee’s opened a new c-store in Daytona Beach, Fla., on March 22. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who attended the grand opening, described it as the “Shangri-La of gas stations,” referring to its status as a paradise-like destination for travelers. The 53,000-square-foot location offers 104 fueling positions with thousands of snack, meal and drink options, including Texas barbeque, fudge, kolaches, Beaver nuggets, jerky and pastries.

Net new stores: 2

Maverik opened a new c-store is in Pocatello, Idaho, on March 30. Made-to-order food, such as gourmet burritos, tacos, quesadillas and salads, is a new feature.

Net new stores: 1

Casey’s General Stores opened a new c-store in Des Moines, Iowa, on March 18.

Kwik Trip opened a new Kwik Star c-store in Le Mars, Iowa, on March 25.

Net new stores: 2

Delaware North opened two checkout-free, frictionless MRKT c-stores in Boston at TD Garden arena using Amazon’s “just-walk-out” technology. The exteriors of the stores are framed by glass walls, allowing customers to see what is in stock and how many other shoppers are inside. The entrances are outfitted with electronic gates where customers can insert their credit card to access the store and the merchandise. TD Garden associates serve as greeters and provide in-store assistance. The stores stock various food, snack, beverage and other retail items.

Net new stores: 2

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Kansas City, Mo., off of Highway 210 on March 11. The more than 12,000-square-foot store has 115 truck- , 86 car- and seven RV parking spaces; eight diesel bays; a McDonald’s restaurant, the Fresh Kitchen proprietary foodservice concept and bean-to-cup coffee; seven showers; laundry facilities; Mobile to Go Zone for electronics; CAT scale; a Speedco facility; and a dog park.

Net new stores: 1

On March 4, Wawa opened two new c-stores in New Jersey, one in Cranford and one in Randolph.

Net new stores: 2

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Bath, N.Y., off of Interstate 86 on March 4. The more than 12,000-square-foot store has 56 truck- , 85 car- and nine RV parking spaces; seven diesel bays; a Wendy’s restaurant, the Fresh Kitchen proprietary foodservice concept and bean-to-cup coffee; seven showers; laundry facilities; Mobile to Go Zone for electronics; CAT scale; and a dog park.

Net new stores: 1

Casey’s General Stores opened a new c-store in Broken Arrow, Okla., on March 25.

Net new stores: 1

Rutter’s opened a new, 10,200-square-foot c-store in Gap, Pa., on March 16. It offers 14 fueling positions and five high-speed diesel fueling lanes with diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). Customers have a variety of Top Tier certified auto fueling options to choose from, including Unleaded 15 and ethanol-free gasoline, along with regular, mid-grade and premium gasoline. the store will also offer auto diesel, off-road diesel, and kerosene. The location also has large restrooms.

Net new stores: 1

Parker’s opened a new Parker’s Kitchen c-store in Ladson, S.C., on March 24. It offers a full menu of fresh, made-from-scratch Southern food, freshly brewed sweet tea, Parker’s Fancy Lemonade, bean-to-cup gourmet coffee, 28-degree beer and fountain drinks with Chewy Ice.

Net new stores: 1

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores opened a new location in Hillsborough, Tenn., off of Highway 210 on March 25. The more than 12,000-square-foot store has 88 truck- , 69 car- and three RV parking spaces; seven diesel bays; a Hardee’s restaurant, the Fresh Kitchen proprietary foodservice concept and bean-to-cup coffee; seven showers; laundry facilities; Mobile to Go Zone for electronics; CAT scale; a Love’s Truck Care facility; and a dog park.

Net new stores: 1

Eskimo Hut opened a new c-store in Deer Park, Texas, on March 10. In addition to snacks and convenience goods, the location offers customizable alcoholic beverages such as daiquiris, jello shots and alcohol-infused gummies. Select handcrafted drink combinations include the Fuzzy Memory, Tiger Blood, Bluebonnet and Cactus Juice.

Toot’n Totum opened a new, 16,018-square-foot travel center in Amarillo, Texas, off of I-40 on March 16. It includes showers, laundry, a drivers lounge and overnight parking. There are also 24 fueling locations for cars, four RV fueling positions, 10 diesel lanes as well as capacity for future electric car charging stations.

Net new stores: 2

Sheetz opened a new c-store in Leesburg, Va., on March 25. The location includes CAT scales and a BonFire Grill.

Net new stores: 1

Foxtrot opened new c-stores in Washington, D.C., one in the Georgetown neighborhood on March 1 and one in the Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood on March 22. The stores feature a high-performance coffee bar, an extensive selection of beer and wine curated by Foxtrot’s in-house sommelier, and an all-day cafe offering seasonal chef-prepared foods, including a mapo tofu bowl and pork and chili tacos created exclusively for Washington, D.C., stores by locally celebrated chef Erik Bruner-Yang. Chef-prepared meals, including fresh salads made daily, are available for grab-and-go purchase. Foxtrot curates its products and brands, with a focus on local. Customers can find area products such as Ice Cream Jubilee, Vigilante Coffee, Mason Dixie, Pluma by Bluebird Bakery and Anxo Cider. The store has an expansive floor plan and an outdoor patio.

Net new stores: 2

NEW STORES OPENED IN MARCH 2021: 21

STORES CLOSED IN MARCH 2021: 1

NET NEW STORES IN MARCH 2021: 20

TOTAL NET NEW STORES FOR 2021: 65

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.