Stewart’s puts $45M into 17 stores
Money invested in 7 new and 10 rebuilt shops in 2020
When the new Stewart’s Shops opens by the end of the month on Columbia Turnpike next door to the Schodack police station, the regional company will have invested $45 million in 17 new or rebuilt stores in 2020, ending a five-year, $245-million construction program.
Stewart’s will launch into 2021 with its next round of 16 stores that will be built to fit the demands for its expanding takeout business, from sandwiches to pizza, and carrying on its traditional ice cream and milk sales for which it’s known.
Stewart’s planned to spend $75 million on building new and rebuild
ing old stores to mark its 75th anniversary, but the pandemic cut into that.
“2020 was a complicated year with
many obstacles as we faced COVID and many regulatory layers and obstacles, but it proved to be a pivotal year
for growth at Stewart’s Shops,” said Gary Dake, president of the 338-store chain.
Even with a nearly quarter-billion-dollar investment in new stores plus an additional $60 million expanding its plant in Greenfield in Saratoga County, Stewart’s is still seen by its core Capital Region customers as a neighborhood spot to grab a coffee or buy an ice cream cone.
“Our investments and expansion continue to create new jobs, increase tax revenue and provide essential goods and services for the people in the communities we serve. We look forward to growth in 2021 and thank all of our partners for their dedication and hard work during these unprecedented times,” Dake said.
This year Stewart’s has built seven new stores and rebuilt 10 stores. The new stores are about 3,975 square feet compared to the original store design, now called a legacy store, of 2,500 square feet. In some instances, mostly in the North Country where Stewarts has become the local grocery store, the new buildings are 4,100 square feet, said Erica Komoroske, director of public affairs for Stewart’s.
“We are expanding our shops and also building grand new shops and new market areas to meet the growing needs of our customer and also different communities,” Komoroske said.
Stewart’s is selling fresh produce in northern towns like North Creek, Chestertown and Port Henry, fulfilling more than a
convenience store role, Komoroske said
Stewart’s continuing reinvestment comes as competitors such as Cumberland Farms have built new stores and the 7-Eleven convenience store chain is entering the market through a purchase of Speedway locations.
Stewart’s is now into its annual Holiday Match program where customers donate their change and cash that Stewart’s matches to donate to local charities. Customers had contributed $320,700 as of Sunday, making the total $641,400 with the match.