EXCLUSIVE: QuikTrip Planning Gas-less Location in Midtown

First of its kind planned for midtown Atlanta.

Tulsa, Oklahoma-based QuikTrip plans to open a new location on Peachtree Street in midtown Atlanta. Unlike any of its other metro locations where both gas and convenience store items are available, this location will be a convenience store (C-Store) only.  

The new QuikTrip will occupy just over 3,500 square feet in the street level retail space of the Viewpoint condo building. The space, located at the corner of Peachtree and 6th Streets was previously home to a Sprint store. 

Blueprints for the upcoming convenience store 

According to Mike Thornbrugh, manager public / government affairs for QuikTrip, the store will be the first for the company in nearly 30 years.  QuikTrip reportedly tested a similar concept in Tulsa nearly three decades ago but never expanded the test.  

Today, with more and more people moving back to intown markets, QuikTrip is hoping to find success in non-traditional locations within intown cores.  

The new store will be slightly more than half the size of a typical "Gen 3" QuikTrip location where the company has doubled down on their food and beverage offerings. Atlanta-area Gen 3 locations include those on Buford Highway in Doraville, Clairmont & Briarcliff Roads nears Sagamore Hills and Chamblee Tucker Road in Chamblee.  

Gen 3 QuikTrip locations offer fresh made-to-order items, prepared foods (many made locally at the company's commissary in Ellenwood) assorted canned and bottled beverages, gourmet beverages such as premium coffees and milkshakes, as well as the typical assortment of convenience store items.  The premium food and beverage offerings are offered via the company's "QT Kitchens" counter, considered a mini restaurant by some .   

With a lease signed and construction underway, plans call for the location to open "late spring," perhaps as soon as late May or early June.  

There is an existing CVS Pharmacy across the street from the upcoming QT and a Starbucks nearby.  

Starbucks Coffee, currently located in the street level of Viewpoint, will soon move to a newly constructed space in the Seventh Midtown property, at the corner of Peachtree & 7th Streets.  The Starbucks was previously located in a freestanding building where the new condo building now sits. The nine-story condo building includes just 20 "spacious residences." The Starbucks location will be branded "Starbucks Reserve," and is expected to open April 24th.  The new location will feature the Clover Press and Black Eagle coffee machines, assorted baked goods and will provide a more "upscale" experience than its predecessor(s).  

The new QT would seem to be well positioned for success given the company's C-store experience and value offerings. With the Starbucks going more "up market" and CVS, while smaller than a Kroger, still larger than a convenience store, QT may be able to capture a significant number of busy midtown consumers.  

Although run very differently than QuikTrip, Dallas, Texas-based 7-Eleven is the world leader in C-stores, yet (currently) has zero presence in Georgia, according to its website.  "7‑Eleven is the world’s largest convenience store chain operating, franchising and licensing stores in 18 countries." 

It's no secret that the revenue brought in from the sale of gas is often marginal to gas station operators: the real money is generally in the convenience store items offered inside the store.  With this in mind, I would not be surprised to see QT test this concept in other markets if proven successful although there are no currently no immediate plans to do so.  

What are your thoughts on this midtown development?  Are you excited to see a QT opening in such a unique location?  What products would you purchase most often from QT?

Please share your thoughts below.