East Deer Sheetz to permanently close Thursday, Oct. 1

After more than 34 years in business, the Sheetz in East Deer will permanently close at 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1.

The gas station and convenience store is located at 899 Freeport Road in the township’s Creighton neighborhood. Sheetz announced the closure on Wednesday.

Spokesman Nick Ruffner said the company constantly evaluates all of its locations to make sure that they are delivering the best experience to customers.

Ruffner said the Creighton location was no longer meeting the company’s expectations, and could not be expanded to offer amenities that newer store locations provide.

It opened in April 1986.

“While we are disappointed to announce this closure, we remain committed to the community and are in a great position to reallocate resources in the area, as all store employees are being offered jobs at other stores in this area,” Ruffner said. “The decision was not made lightly and we apologize for any inconvenience caused to Sheetz’s customers.”

East Deer Commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani said he found out about the closure from East Deer police Chief John Manchini. He never received any official word from Sheetz.

He said he was disappointed to hear the news.

“I’m a little bit puzzled about it,” Taliani said. “It seems to be a very busy location. I really don’t know. We haven’t been told anything.”

The store closed earlier this year after en employee who had been at the store tested positive for the coronavirus. Because of the positive test, the store closed immediately. It reopened after being cleaned and sanitized.

Taliani said he’s hopeful another business will take over the location.

“I’m sure they’ll be busy. That place is busy,” Taliani said.

The company operates over 580 store locations throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina.

There are several Sheetz locations in the Alle-Kiski Valley, including Harrison, Buffalo Township, Lower Burrell, New Kensington, Cheswick, Harmar and Plum. None of those locations are closing.

“We have no other permanent closures at this time,” Ruffner said.