The Store Convenience Stores Ending Operations at the End of July

Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 -- 11:01 AM

(Caitlin Shuda, USA TODAY NETWORK - Wisconsin) The Store convenience stores will end operations at the end of July.

According to Caitlin Shuda, USA TODAY NETWORK - Wisconsin, the company will end the brand’s convenience store operations July 31 and will work to forge an agreement with the next operator to establish transitions for employees, according to a release from The Store.

After a USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin reporter asked for clarification on what that might mean for the convenience store locations after July, a spokesperson for The Store said future decisions are still a work in progress and was not able to clarify further.

Team Schierl Cos. announced in May 2022 it would continue operating the convenience stores after selling the buildings and properties to a real estate investment trust. Under that agreement, The Store maintained all of its operations, employees, equipment, partnerships with local vendors and all local inventory.

In June 2022, Team Schierl announced it sold The Store brand to West Hill Ranch Group, a Florida-based company that is a division of Mountain Express Oil out of Georgia.

The new owners of The Store took over later that summer. In that June announcement, Team Schierl said the new owners would provide more opportunities for employees and would take great care of the store's legacy and continue to offer gas, food and more.

According to The Store’s release Tuesday morning, Mountain Express Oil declared Chapter 7 bankruptcy in September and has since transitioned ownership of land and buildings to a property investment company.

“As of May 7, 2024, The Store has been notified that the property investment company will not be extending its current operational agreement,” the release said. In the release, The Store thanked its employees for all of their hard work and dedication to the family-owned business that operated for almost 50 years.

Team Schierl’s other businesses, including Schierl Tire & Auto Service and Subway restaurants, are not affected and will continue operating. According to The Store’s website, the brand has 25 locations in Wisconsin and Michigan, including Stevens Point, Wausau, Marshfield, Wisconsin Rapids, Plover, Marinette and Junction City. Locations in Menominee and Escanaba, Michigan, are also part of the group affected.

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