New Hazelwood QuikTrip Now Open

For those that have been waiting in anticipation for the new QuikTrip Generation 3 (Gen 3) store to open, this week may have had a bright spot.

The new QuikTrip is located on Howdershell Road directly across the street from the old location. The company posted countdown flier near the roadway each day last week informing residents the switch date was near.

It's a Gen 3 model, which means the new store is larger, enabling the chain to expand its fresh-food offerings. In fact, the store is about 20 percent larger than the former location, that will now be prepped to sell.

It is entering a competetive market as employees will now be able to produce made-to-order coffee drinks and ice cream services.

Hazelwood Patch Twitter follower Woodard247, a self-proclaimed QuikTrip fanatic said the new location is quite and eyeful.

"Stopped by the brand new and huge QuikTrip...it was awesome!"

Mike Thornbrugh, QuikTrip's manager Public/Gov. Affairs previously told Hazelwood Patch the company is diversifying due to a decline in sales of what was once all gas stations' most purchased products: gasoline and cigarettes.

"There are currently 60 to 65 Gen 3 stores in operation and another 40 in construction nationwide," he said last fall. "Generation 3 is where we are headed in the future, and the goal is to be more food proficient."

The new store does not offer hard liquor or wine. Thornbrugh also said there is more parking, along with  six entry and exit points into the locations to make navigating in-and-out a simpler process.

Join Hazelwood Patch for more community news or join us on Facebook and Twitter.

To read additional business articles on Hazelwood Patch see:

• 'For Sale' Sign Pops Up in Front of Howdershell BP
• Updated: St. Louis Jimmy John's Workers Go On Strike
• Lambert Airport Chosen as Touchdown for Historic Solar Impulse Flight