11910 Leesville Road, Evington VA 24550
“This mart is in a great location, especially since the next place to get gas is at least 5 miles in either direction. They also have propane tanks. The staff is friendly and multicultural. There's an ATM and a select variety of beverages and snack items. There is a grill also, even has a counter to dine on. There is a restroom and it was clean. They have lottery and gaming machines for entertainment. They also have a picnic table outside in a cozy, shaded location. There are social distancing protocols on the door, but I do not feel like they are enforced, the average of customers wearing masks was consistent, though, not everyone feels that they must abide. This spot is super handy, if they stay open, so far, so good!”
4892 Wards Rd, Evington VA 24550
“Probably the nicest bunch of complete strangers that I've ever encountered. Southern hospitality isn't dead - it resides at Kelley's. I was traveling home from NJ with my 3 daughters (girl's trip!) when my 2 year old started screaming "I WANT OUT!" which was immediately followed by my 6 year old proclaiming that the baby had "pooped and it stinks bad." So here I am scanning the places to stop when I see Kelley's and think "looks clean enough." We came through the door with the force of an overtired wildebeest and must have looked noticeably confused when the voice of an angel said "Are you looking for the bathroomh? It's right over here." And she smiled. Man, what a difference from the shopkeepers in Jersey who cut their eyes at you and begin to assemble the assault rifle under the register all because you reached a little too quickly for that pack of spearmint Extra. The ladies room was surprisingly chic, charming and CLEAN! It is a masterpiece that I will think about while I hang up the old shredded towels on my racks that are hanging out of the wall from when a previous version of my 10 year old son declared himself a monkey. I am a purveyor of supporting mom and pop establishments so when I saw the lunch counter I was overjoyed. The fare is standard American (hot dogs, burgers, egg salad, etc.) and the prices are nostalgically low. The lady behind the counter was super sweet and accommodating and helped me with seating my girls who were acting very silly after the long car ride. She served our food which was delicious (I recommend the sausage dog. Tasty and HUGE!). When it was time to go the lunch counter lady (God, I wish I had gotten her name) helped me out to the car with our drinks. My kids took to her immediately. While I strapped in my youngest she strapped in my toddler. Talk about service! It's these little things that make you remember a place and want to return. Kelley's is a diamond in the rough and has impressed me very much. It has earned a permanent spot on my GPS and will be patronized whenever I head up north. I only wish it were closer so I could give them more business. My husband thinks I've lost it because I walked in the door talking about how I enjoyed my visit with the people of Kelley's. They actually lightened my load if only for a hour and improved this tired mom's day.”
5868 Wards Road, Evington VA 24550
“Exxon is always a safe and clean place for a quick stop. Typical convenience store, with the additional benefit of almost always being clean. A little pricey, but well worth the cost for the sense of security with the added benefit of knowing the fuel is also top notch.”
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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