“The whole goal is to take you back to the idea of a neighborhood store versus a traditional gas station,” says RaceTrac spokesperson.
RaceTrac opened a new store this week on the corner of Cherokee Street and Lake Acworth Drive in Acworth, Ga., that is set to serve as the prototype for all new RaceTrac stations, The Marietta Daily Journal reported.
At 6,000 square feet, the new store is one-third larger than the typical station. Features include free wireless Internet access, indoor and outdoor seating, expanded food and beverage offerings, a frozen yogurt bar and a walk-in beer cave. Outside, the store features stone columns and stacked-stone accents.
Construction on the station began last June.
“It’s really something you’ve never seen in a convenience store,” spokeswoman Sherri Scott, who compared it to a mini grocery store, told The Marietta Daily Journal. “The whole goal is to take you back to the idea of a neighborhood store versus a traditional gas station.”
“We’ve made our bread and butter over the years by offering people great gas at a value, and that’s never going to change,” Scott said. “But our audience has told us they want more of a convenience to them. Value is more than just a price. They want to be able to get gas, but also be able to pick-up dinner, lunch, a snack or their paper.”
RaceTrac plans to hold a grand opening event at 3 p.m. on Jan. 21, which is set to include giveaways featuring a grand prize of $2,500 in RaceTrac gift cards. Other prizes will include free frozen yogurt and free coffee for a year.
RaceTrac operates more than 300 gas stations in four states.