CLAYSBURG - The Sheetz expansion continues as the Altoona-based convenience store chain will open its 426th convenience restaurant south of here near Old Route 220 and Sheetz Way with a ribbon cutting at 7:45 a.m. Thursday.
The new 6,500-square-foot store will have 40 to 45 new full- and part-time jobs and add $3.5 million taxable property value to the local and county tax base, according to company officials.
The Claysburg location will have about 30 indoor seats and five tables outside with 20 seats. All new stores and rebuilds are now called convenience restaurants, said Steve Augustine, Sheetz director of real estate.
The Claysburg location does not have a drive-thru but has a car wash and a commercial diesel fueling area, Augustine said.
The new convenience restaurant is near the Sheetz Distribution Center and Sheetz Bros. Kitchen in the Walter Business Park.
"We've had terrific local support at every store we've opened and are continuing to see strong sales," said Stan Sheetz, president and CEO in a statement. "We're kind of the exception in a tough economy."
Meanwhile, the rebuild of the McKee location on Route 36 is under construction. The new location, which will have both indoor and outdoor seating, is expected to open Sept. 13, Augustine said.
The gasoline pumps will be shut down for about six weeks once the rebuilt store opens while the gasoline area is rebuilt. The pumps are expected to reopen in November, Augustine said.
Plans are continuing on a new store across from Amelia Avenue on Frankstown Road in Logan Township.
"We still need a PennDOT HOP [highway occupancy permit] and some DEP [Department of Environmental Protection] permits," Augustine said. "We hope to begin construction in the spring."
Overall, Sheetz plans to open 32 new locations this year and 34 next year, with the majority of them in North Carolina.
"We will likely hit 500 stores in 2014 or 2015," Augustine said.
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.
