Dive Brief:
- InConvenience Inc., parent company of the Gas Spot and Goods Spot convenience store chains, has remodeled and opened three more locations in Missouri after arriving in the small town of Pattonsburg last fall, the company announced this week.
- The stores operate under the Gas Spot banner and are located in Fairfax, Tarkio and Alma. As with many of InConvenience’s locations to date, these stores were formerly owned by SQRL, which ceased operations last year amid multiple bankruptcy filings and legal battles with its landlords.
- Although InConvenience’s leaders have said they plan to grow slowly to avoid the operational pitfalls SQRL faced, the company still has several more locations across Iowa and its debut in Arkansas on the way.
Dive Insight:
InConvenience launched the Gas Spot banner in late 2023 when its sister company, InCommercial Property Group, suddenly found itself with several shuttered convenience stores in the wake of Mountain Express Oil’s demise.
More than a year later, InConvenience has refurbished 15 of these stores in Iowa and four locations in Missouri. A fifth Missouri store is on the way in Burlington Junction, according to the company’s website.
Each remodeled store includes new sales fixtures, casework for checkout and coffee counters, updated restrooms and renovated kitchens, according to the company’s latest announcement. Some stores moving forward will feature pizza and chicken from branded QSR chain Wingman, a division of foodservice supplier PFSbrands.
InConvenience CEO Tiffany Fraley said that its latest Missouri stores still have “hurdles to overcome” in getting up to speed, such as addressing neglected fuel tanks and equipment. She added that InConvenience is targeting former SQRL and Mountain Express sites in small towns across the Midwest.
“By revitalizing these spaces, we’re not only supporting local economics but also fostering a sense of community,” Fraley said. “These stores aim to bring convenience and opportunities for residents, creating a vibrant atmosphere where everyone can benefit.”
