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The C-Store Landscape

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by Mike Cummings, Sr. Principal

March, ## 2023

Convenience stores serve a variety of needs and continue to evolve.   Full disclosure – I am a fan of C-stores, both in my daily life and when I am on the road going to jobsites.  There are more than 150,000 C-stores in the US, and it is a half-trillion-dollar annual industry.  They may or may not sell fuel.  C-stores are evolving from the traditional “cokes and smokes” to becoming a destination and not just a place for gas and a cup of coffee.  C-stores come in all kinds of sizes from small walk-up non-fueling locations to the biggest in the world like Buc-ee’s. 

Most convenience stores fulfill a variety of needs so they can be difficult to categorize.  Among the primary needs that C-stores can fulfill:

Travel centers are generally large facilities with convenient auto and diesel fueling, large restrooms and lots of drinks and snacks.  Many have a restaurant incorporated.  Travel centers offer a welcome stop on road trips to stretch your legs and refuel. Other amenities that you might find at a travel center include:

  • dedicated truck and RV parking areas
  • Pet relief area (I had no idea so many truckers travel with a pet)
  • Expanded food choices.

Fueling convenience stores

The primary function of some C-stores is to sell fuel, with an assortment of snacks and beverages.  Many times, these may be the only fueling option in town or within miles. 

Grocery convenience stores

The primary function of some C-stores is to be the local grocery store; these may be the only grocery option within miles. These stores will also have an assortment of snacks and beverages, and other convenience items, and may also sell fuel.  Grocery is now the third most common category purchased at convenience stores, falling just below snacks and candy, according to data from NRS.

Urban convenience stores

These small, non-fuel locations are normally seen on an active, pedestrian street and cater to people living or working nearby.  I was quite surprised to encounter these types of C-stores while traveling internationally. One in Beijing on the ground floor of a high-rise office building features a steam table serving lunch to workers in the office building.

As I said, most convenience stores fulfill a variety of needs and fit within multiple categories.  The good news is that there are still many opportunities for new locations within all types of C-Stores. And for new types of stores.  Will the “lessons learned” during the Covid pandemic lead to evolution of C-stores or even new types of C-Stores? 

Stay tuned.

Mike Cummings, Sr. Principal

Reflection and Recap

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by Theresa English, Principal

February, 20 2023

For TK Architects, the gift of 2022 was growth.  After two very difficult years, we saw our efforts pay off with work from new clients.  We added a new Principal, Trevor Ruhnke, which is very exciting.  Leading the next generation of owners will be an architect, a Structural Engineer and a MEP Engineer.  We also doubled our staff including  some fantastic interns.  The talent that has joined us is so exciting and fresh.  We are seeing their growth daily. 

Cinema projects have started to reappear on our drawing boards (okay, monitors but that isn’t quite as elegant of an image).  Entertainment is showing growth too.  Renovation to update and augment amenities is widespread and growing.

Our F& B clients are kicking off national growth programs and expanding their franchisee rosters.  We’ve been working with them to develop their prototypes to allow this growth to be efficient and cost effective while offering the best guest experience.  I was able to attend the Food Service Equipment and Design Thought Leadership Summit conference in Chicago for the first time.  It was great to spend a couple days thinking about what the customer experience of the future restaurant will be.

We have further expanded our project types to include convenience stores.  These clients growth was being hampered by not being able to roll out drawings fast enough.  We were able to help them accelerate and increase their growth and surpass their desired location count by end of this year.

We are happy to leave the early 2020’s in the past.  In 2023, we look forward to adding new clients and more staff to help them achieve their goals.  Stay tuned for further developments!

Theresa English, Principal

Chiefs Superbowl Parade!

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February 16, 2023

The Chiefs have reached the pinnacle of their sport and are once again Superbowl Chamions! The parade was yesterday, Tuesday February 15th, and the entire KC Metro area showed up to celebrate.

The parade was electric, with red flooding the streets of Downtown KC.

Workload and the Workplace

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by Jack Muffoletto, Sr. Principal

October 10, 2022

We have been seeing a rise in demand for renovation and conversion work.  There is a fair amount of new construction work but the discussions about re-thinking existing buildings and spaces represents a sizable share of our current workload.  New construction is getting more expensive every day, and lead times for material and equipment are causing scheduling nightmares.  Most challenging about schedules is that they are stretched out causing more expense and a longer wait time for revenue to start

Additionally, it is no secret that a lot of existing real estate is being repositioned due to the rise of remote work.  With more people settling in and figuring out how to work from home, it is natural to deduct that there is less demand for office space.  The lingering impact on getting people to return to workplaces is being driven by new thinking.  In our entertainment field of design, we are seeing a trend toward massive mixed-use expansion including office, retail, restaurant, entertainment, gym, parking, residential and outdoor space.  Mixes of these components based on market and demographics can give top to bottom new life to existing buildings, spaces and developments.  The savings from material re-use and the need for less supplies is desirable when you start a project with an exterior shell and a site that is already developed.  Part of the concept is to have less closed off or separated and individual uses and more openness and free flowing circulation between uses.  Revenue generating specialty nodes help to connect and transition between spaces.  Bars and cafes create energy, and seating areas allow people to use Wi-Fi and socialize.  Then add in retail pop-ups, cultural programming like art and entertainment components like micro cinema, duck pin bowling, axe throwing or arcade.  As I think about the workplace there needs to be amenities, technology and a way to optimize collaboration which promotes culture and a sense of belonging.

Office becomes more valuable when it is a mixed-use component and everything is in the same building.  Mixed-use as a building category has evolved with more of a lifestyle/entertainment emphasis.  Our workload has progressed to creating ‘human experience centers’.

As designers it is exciting to be involved in rethinking the future and how we live, work and play together.  Stay tuned, big things are coming your way soon!

Real Men Wear PINK!

Breast cancer affects everyone – it doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman.  I have been, and will wear pink everyday of October to raise awareness for and money for breast cancer. By raising money and awareness through Real Men Wear Pink, I’m helping to save more lives from breast cancer.

Every day, the American Cancer Society is saving more lives from breast cancer than ever before. They’re helping people take steps to reduce their risk of breast cancer or find it early, when it’s easier to treat. They provide free information and services when and where people need it, fund groundbreaking research and they’re working to ensure access to exams and treatment for those who need them.

What I Promise to do

Wear something pink everyday in October, and love it! Follow my fund raising progress and click to donate at the Real men Wear Pink website. My goal is $2,500.

Have more questions, want to share your pink outfit? Share it with us on our socials! Or email me at jmuffoletto@tkarch.com .

Jack Muffoletto, Sr. Principal