A new Sheetz under construction in Plum is tentatively scheduled to open in May, a spokesman for the Altoona-based convenience store chain said.
When the new convenience store and gas station on Golden Mile Highway at Presque Isle Drive opens, the existing smaller store nearby at Pine Valley Drive will close, spokesman Nick Ruffner said.
The new store is being built in Presque Isle Plaza, part of which was torn down to make way for it. A portion of the plaza remains standing with four businesses occupying it.
A Kings restaurant in the plaza closed in September 2022 and also was torn down.
“Sheetz is excited to be offering our loyal customers in Plum a new store design which will include a restaurant-style experience with self-service kiosks and additional seating both inside and outside the store,” Ruffner said.
The store will have two access points. From Golden Mile Highway, customers will only be able to turn right into the store and right out of the store. From Presque Isle Drive, full access is available from both directions.
The existing store, open since December 1991, is about a mile away from the new site. Employees there have been offered jobs at the new location, Ruffner said.
“Sheetz does not own the property where the existing store is located and is not aware of the owner’s plans,” he said.
The owner of that property, Toro Development Co., could not immediately be reached for comment.
In 2021, Plum Council approved the transfer of a liquor license to the existing Sheetz.
Council is expected to vote on amending that approval to move the license to the new store during its Feb 12 meeting, after which it would be sent to the state Liquor Control Board for final approval, according to borough Manager David Soboslay.
