Sheetz, the hybrid gas station, convenience store, and quick service restaurant, proposed opening a new location at the Saucon Valley Square shopping center along Route 378, one day after it received approval from the planning board in neighboring Bethlehem, according to local media outlet Saucon Source.
What Now Philadelphia reported on the Bethlehem location, slated to open at 1720 E 4th St, back in October. However, at the time, Sheetz PR manager, Nick Ruffner, said, “We can confirm that Sheetz is planning a store location along East Fourth Street in Bethlehem, PA. However, it is still too early in the process to be able to provide additional details.”
A representative of Sheetz did not immediately return a request for comment on the Saucon Valley proposal.
If approved, the brand new 6,390 square foot building would be built from the ground up and require the demolition of a Fulton Bank that currently sits on the property, in order to make way for six two-sided gas pumps, as well as a drive-thru, reports Saucon Source.
Sheetz began as a dairy store in Altoona, PA that founder Bob Sheetz purchased from his father in 1952. Over the next 11 years, Bob brought his brother Steve on – first as a part-time employee at that initial store and later as a general manager – while growing the business to 14 locations. In 1973, the brand introduced its now ubiquitous gas pumps and a mere decade later, had expanded its portfolio to a whopping 100 stores.
Today, the company is still family owned and operated, with Bob’s nephew Travis Sheetz stepping up as president and CEO earlier this year.
For more than 60 years, our mission at Sheetz has been to meet the needs of customers on the go,” the company writes on its official website. “Of course, things have changed over those 60+ years. Life is faster and busier, and customers expect us to be there when they need us most. One thing that hasn’t changed is our commitment to our customers, our employees, and the communities in which we operate.”
