49926 MN-6, Bigfork MN 56628
“There are places you visit… and then there are places that become part of your story. The Little Turtle Lake Store in Bigfork, Minnesota is firmly the latter. From the moment you pull in, there’s a feeling you can’t quite manufacture—equal parts Northwoods charm, lake life nostalgia, and the kind of authenticity that only comes from a place that truly belongs to its community. This isn’t just a stop along the road—it’s the stop. Inside, it’s everything you hope a great lake store will be. Cold drinks that hit just right after a long day on the water. Snacks that somehow taste better because you’re surrounded by pine trees and fresh air. The kind of food that doesn’t just fill you up—it reminds you why simple things done right will always win. But what really sets the Little Turtle Lake Store apart is the people. Friendly in that genuine, no-pretense way that makes you feel like a regular—even if it’s your first time walking through the door. Conversations come easy here. Smiles aren’t forced. It’s the kind of place where time slows down just enough to remind you what matters. And then there’s the setting. Little Turtle Lake itself feels like it was designed to frame this place perfectly—quiet, beautiful, and timeless. Whether you’re heading out on the water at sunrise or winding down as the sun dips behind the trees, this store is woven into every great moment. In a world full of places trying to be something, the Little Turtle Lake Store simply is—and that’s what makes it unforgettable. If you know, you know. And if you don’t… you owe yourself the trip.”
The Iowa retailer, the third-largest convenience store operator in the country, built its new three-year plan around three priorities: store growth, food and beverage expansion, and kitchen technology upgrades. The company plans to add 120 stores during the current fiscal year. Its previous plan, launched in 2023, delivered more than 500 new stores and earned the company a spot in the S&P 500.
Read the postLove's Travel Stops is starting 2025 with ambitious growth plans, adding 20 new stores and updating 50 current locations across the country. The truck stop company will upgrade its stores through its Strategic Remodel Initiative, which started in 2022. This includes the modernization of its recently acquired turnpike location in Stroud, Oklahoma. By 2035, over half of Love's 655 stores will be either new or updated.
Read the postTexas-born Buc-ee's is changing the way people think about gas stations and convenience stores. This chain is known for its huge stores along highways, some with over 100 fuel pumps. With its funny billboard ads, award-winning clean bathrooms, and branded items Buc-ee’s is hard to miss. The company wants people to actually plan to stop at Buc-ee's during road trips, not just go there as a last resort. And it's working - the chain has a huge fan base, with Facebook groups dedicated to Buc-ee's having hundreds of thousands of members.
Read the postSheetz Inc., the Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain, is making big moves in the Motor City. The company announced plans to open four more locations across metro Detroit, weeks before opening its first Michigan location. The first Michigan Sheetz will open its doors in late summer at 33380 Wick Road in Romulus. More locations are planned for Taylor, Warren, and Macomb Township, each employing around 30 people, mostly full-time.
Read the postLove's Travel Stops is rolling out a new system that turns work into a game for its restaurant employees. Picture this: Three big screens in each restaurant, tracking how fast workers greet customers, take orders, and hand out food. It's not just for show - early results say it's making service 11 seconds faster on average. "These monitors track key performance metrics in real-time, such as greet times, order processing times and the time it takes for food handoff," Love's explains. The system creates a more interactive environment, fostering friendly competition between stores.
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