1599 Farm to Market Rd 136, Bayside TX 78340
2021 W Market St, Rockport TX 78382
“The two new ladies that started working there are very refreshing. It's nice to walk into place and see a smiling , happy face. They are very nice and pleasant. Good job on hiring those two!? A couple of gems.”
1802 W Market St, Rockport TX 78382
“Really like this store... Great location; plenty of room for parking, tho you might have to park on the sides of the store when it's busy. Place is well lit at night and it's location is an easy on / off 35 Bi-Pass at Market. Pumps are state of the art; offering 5 different fuel choices including Non-Ethanol Premium. Whoa.... What the heck is "Non-Ethanol Premium" you ask? Well, simply put, it's pure gas; used long before Ethanol-based gas was mandated by Congress in 1990 (Clean Air Act). Since then, Ethanol blending tax credits/subsidies have created a profit motive to over-blend Ethanol above 10%. Some stores are now selling 15%. (Note that Valero currently sells 10% at this location). Okay... Sooo.. What's wrong with Ethanol? On it's face, Ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel that is distilled from plant materials, namely sugar and corn. The biggest problem is it attracts and absorbs moisture, leading to water contamination. 10% Ethanol (E10) gas will "phase separate" which is very damaging to automotive engines. Basically the ethanol / water goes to the bottom leaving sub par octane on top; the very definition of "bad gas" that causes all kinds of engine problems / failure. Small engines (lawn mowers, chainsaws, boat motors) that sit for long periods of time where the fuel may not get used up and replenished on a timely basis should never use Ethanol blended fuels. Even the EPA has stated that the large-scale production of corn and soybeans to produce ethanol-based gasoline harms the environment. They found that Ethanol made from corn has the highest emissions output compared to ethanol gas made from other sources. Since most Ethanol plants in the United States are powered by coal, greenhouse gas emissions derived from Ethanol production contribute negatively to the environment. Additionally, the EPA stated that Ethanol production can adversely affect ecosystems, bodies of water, and accelerate the loss of organic matter and nutrients found in certain soils. Ethanol is a strong solvent, cleanser and degreaser, and highly corrosive. It wreaks havoc on rubber gaskets and causes rust inside your engine. It can also lead to overheating your engine (increased oxygen levels). Opposite side of the coin... States like Iowa for instance have seen a huge boon in their agriculture industry. Ethanol remains one of the top exports in the United States; nearly 30 million barrels of Ethanol were exported out of the country in 2011 alone, with about 20 million barrels being exported consistently per year since 2014. In 2020, U.S. Ethanol exports totaled 1.3 Billion gallons. Overall, the US relies on Ethanol exports for nearly $7 billion to the economy and over 47,000 jobs for citizens. So now you know... The debate rages on. Using pure gas (Non-Ethanol) gives better gas mileage, less harm to your engine, longer shelf life, less dependence on Ethanol crops and more. Gas mileage will vary; a 4-banger Camry with Non-Ethanol won't offer the same results you'd see in an 8 cylinder RAM Hemi, yet in our experience we got better gas mileage no matter what vehicle we tested.”
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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