Dive Brief:
- Rutter’s will debut a new prototype in Milton, Pennsylvania, later this year that will “introduce a brand-new look and game-changing features,” according to an emailed announcement from the company.
- The York, Pennsylvania-based convenience retailer has already broken ground on the site, which will have an updated interior and exterior, “including materials, finishes, lighting, and more,” a Rutter’s spokesperson said via email.
- The 13,500-square-foot store will include Rutter’s made-to-order foodservice, a beer cave and wine selection, video gaming terminals and more.
Dive Insight:
This is the latest step Rutter’s is taking toward upsizing its already larger-than-average stores. Last year, the company said it was building new sites that would be 10,000 to 12,000 square feet, up from the 8,000 to 10,000 square foot sites it previously focused on.
This new prototype is more than four times the size of an average convenience store, according to Statista data.
“Between our beer caves, which are larger than most in the industry, our large food service area, our gaming rooms, and all the other items that we have in our stores to meet the needs of our customers, we feel that building these larger locations has been great,” Chris Hartman, vice president of fuels, advertising and development for Rutter’s and president of the company’s real estate arm, said in an interview last year.
The new exterior uses wood, metal and glass in place of the more traditional brick facade. More details about the new features at the site will be shared in the coming months, the spokesperson said.
The store, which is going to be built at the Industrial Park Road exit of Pennsylvania route 147 in Milton, is expected to open toward the end of this year. It is expected to employ 50 workers and include 12 fueling positions and five diesel lanes, all of which are on par with other recent Rutter’s openings.
Rutter’s currently operates 87 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia, with plans to expand into Delaware and Virginia for the first time in the next few years. In addition to its convenience stores, Rutter’s also has a dairy and beverage company and a real estate company.
