At noontime Tuesday, there was a line about 15 people deep — some Foster Township Police officers, service workers from local car dealerships, emergency responders, local business people.
Sheetz staff may have had an overwhelming number of orders, but they handled it with aplomb.
Tuesday marked a special occasion as dozens of people in the Bradford area received invites to try out Sheetz food at the location on the corner Bolivar Drive and East Main Street in Foster Brook. The official opening of the store is 11 a.m. Thursday.
“Order 620,” manager Joe Leschner announced Tuesday afternoon. Each person looked down at his or her receipt as if he were calling Bingo numbers. “Dang, I’m 682,” one man said.
“I don’t think they go in order,” another customer assured him.
While people waited, a Sheetz representative bustled about, handing out samples of strawberry shortcake-flavored frozen yogurt.
“I’ve been in Sheetz lots of times, but I’ve never seen a frozen yogurt machine,” said Sally Scrivo of Bradford Area Transport Service. She, and most others who tried a sample, seemed impressed.
One man debated on whether he wanted to try it or not, adding, “I live nearby. I’m sure I will be here a lot.”
There is an indoor seating area, which people were taking full advantage of with the samples Sheetz was giving out.
“I’m very excited,” said Pamela Burlingame, executive assistant at the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce, adding that she likes the indoor seating.
“And the drive-thru’s awesome. It’s very modern,” she said, as she held her order of two sliders, an iced tea and onion rings.
Compared to other Sheetz stores in the region, the store in Foster Township is about double in size, said Sheetz District Manager JoAnn Bennett. The new Sheetz has 48 parking spots, a full-service drive-thru, inside dining for 32 people and outside dining for 24 individuals. There are 10 fueling stations with regular and premium gasoline and diesel.
“We’re very excited to be here. It has been a long time coming,” she said.
At 10:45 a.m. Thursday, a grand-opening ceremony is planned, which will include a $2,500 check being given to the Special Olympics. The store will officially open to the public at 11 a.m. the same day.
Bradford City Police Assistant Chief Mike Ward said he’ll be making stops at Sheetz on an as-needed basis.
“It’s good to have this. It’ll be nice to have another 24/7 store,” Ward said as he held a sub and fries.
Barry Bacha of Foster Township, who lives on Russell Boulevard, said that between his son and himself, they’ll be making five to six trips to Sheetz a week. He’s a fan of Sheetz’ hot dogs. Bacha is the Bradford Regional Little League president and tournament director.
On his business trips, Bacha said he often visits Sheetz, adding he is glad there is one nearby.
And Bacha said the business will be good for the economy. Sheetz comes at a time when Foster Brook is booming –– the Bradford Mall is coming back to life, Foster Brook Plaza recently opened and the Shops at Foster Brook is getting a new lease on life.
Sheetz in Foster Township has 40 employees, and the company has been rated as one of the best employers in the state and the country.
The convenience store also has a presence across the region in Emporium, Port Allegany, St. Marys, Ridgway and Coudersport.
