“Perfect little spot with the perfect little staff. You might stop for gas and end up with pizza and sandwiches for entire the family. The location is prime considering the closest grocery store is 25 minutes away.”
“I didn’t mean to end up there. Nobody ever means to end up at a gas station at 2:17 a.m. on a Tuesday, beneath flickering lights that hum like insects and trauma. But life has a way of guiding you to strange altars. And for me, that altar was Speedway #4927, just off the interstate, wedged between a haunted car wash and a Domino’s that refuses to die. Arrival: The Omen of the Pump As I pulled in, the sign read Regular: $3.48. I took that personally. The pumps were glowing like they’d been blessed by Zeus himself, but every single screen was playing a different commercial at full volume. It was like being shouted at by capitalism in surround sound. I swiped my card, and the machine beeped with the tone of a disappointed teacher. “Remove card quickly,” it said. I did not. “Remove card quickly,” it repeated, more urgently. I panicked and ripped it out like a medieval sword. Gas began to flow. Triumph. Then, out of nowhere, a bug—maybe a moth, maybe a small bird—landed on the screen. It stared at me like it knew things. Ancient things. I saluted it. It did not salute back. The Store: A Cathedral of Chaos Inside, it was everything and nothing all at once. A symphony of fluorescent lights and unbothered souls. A man in pajama pants stood motionless in front of the beef jerky rack, whispering “original or teriyaki” like he was weighing the meaning of life. The aisles were stocked with items that shouldn’t exist in the same universe. Motor oil. Cosmic Brownies. Windshield washer fluid. Stuffed animals. One singular plunger, displayed like Excalibur. I wandered to the coffee station. The pots were labeled “Mild,” “Bold,” and “Mystery.” I chose Mystery, because I, too, have made questionable life choices. It tasted like ambition, heartbreak, and battery acid. I drank two cups. I felt alive. The Bathroom: A Journey of Faith If Dante had written The Divine Comedy in 2025, the gas station bathroom would have been at least three circles deep. The door creaked like an old ship. Someone had written “Don’t look behind you” on the mirror in dry-erase marker. Naturally, I looked behind me. The air smelled of lemon disinfectant and quiet despair. A single hand dryer wheezed like it had asthma. There was graffiti that read, “Todd owes me $20,” next to another that said, “Todd’s never paying you back.” I admired the narrative continuity. There was a sign that said “Employees must wash hands,” but no sink. Just vibes. I left spiritually cleansed, if not physically.”
“I have been coming here a long time very friendly people and answer any questions you may have about vapes or anything else i always stock up before i go to Florida and they always give me a good deal ❤️”
“Just grabbed a burger and this place actually sells angus burgers for lunch on the go . I’m a contractor and have zero time to sit at a restaurant!!!The pizza looks good too . I’m local and I’ll definitely drive past the corporate gas stations to come here !!!”
“This the Byrne Dairy in Canandaigua that you go to for excellent customer service/management (thank you Deb!), and for ice cream. They know how to make a hot fudge sundae, unlike the other Byrne Dairy.”
“The thing about the Dandy chains are that they are located perfectly in the area rural areas where you need to make a stop to grab something quick or grab a cheap meal/drink. The food isn't terrible and their prices are spot on. Friendly service with a smile.”
“Walgreens is great! I've been using them for years. 3 different locations throughout that time. Have never had a problem with anything. They are very helpful, professional, and friendly at all of their location. Highly suggest if your looking for consistentce, friendliness, and organization at a great store with a great pharmacy. It's not just a pharmacy anymore.. ;)”
“The people that work there are the nicest folks. Helpful when you need it and the place is always clean and smells clean. Its just convenient and my go to for gas and all the extras if I need.”
“Sam is the best!! She is always is great spirits and is very kind. She cares about her job and takes pride in what she does. Best part about this station by far.”
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.
Love'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.
Food service giant Sodexo plans to open nearly 100 "Food Hive" locations on campuses nationwide by 2026. The company has already started the process, aiming to launch about 30 new college convenience stores during the current 2024-25 academic year.
7-Eleven is going big on food and "frictionless shopping." The convenience store giant plans to open 500 new "food-forward" locations across the U.S. from 2025 to 2027. The expansion builds on 7-Eleven's "Evolution" store concept, first launched in Dallas in 2019. These larger-format stores feature in-store restaurants, premium products like craft beer and cigars, and an emphasis on fresh, grab-and-go meals.
Amazon has quietly opened a new type of grocery store in downtown Chicago. Called Amazon Grocery, the 3,800-square-foot store is a testing ground for Amazon's latest experiment in brick-and-mortar retail. The first Amazon Grocery location shares a building with a Whole Foods Market, which Amazon purchased in 2017.