Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/549489
www.HartfordBusiness.com August 3, 2015 • Hartford Business Journal 3 Hartford's newest retail rest stop to revive spent truckers, fuel tanks By Gregory Seay gseay@HartfordBusiness.com S pringfield convenience-store opera- tor Pride Convenience Inc. has chosen I-91 northbound in Hartford's North End for its first large Connecticut retail and refueling rest stop for motorists and truckers. State transportation and private-trucking officials say the facility would be a much- needed, welcome solution to a statewide shortage of trucker rest areas. Pride founder Robert "Bob" Bolduc said his company has purchased several land par- cels from the city and private landowners, totaling about 6 ½ acres at the northeast cor- ner of Jennings Road, at the I-91 interchange in the city's North Meadows. With the pulling of city building permits and state and federal environmental clearanc- es to install underground fuel storage tanks underway, construction of the 16-pump travel center could begin sometime in September, Bolduc said. Opening is set for Independence Day 2016, staffed with 45 full- and part-time workers, mostly from Hartford, he said. Thomas E. Deller, the city's economic development chief, confirmed the sale in recent months of several city-owned parcels to Pride. The parcels' size and sales price were not immediately available. Bolduc said the closely held company he launched from a single Springfield location in 1972 is investing several million dollars to open the first Pride location of that size in Connecticut. Pride has three other neighbor- hood convenience store locations in Windsor Locks and Simsbury. Altogether, Pride has 32 convenience stores in western Massachusetts and northern Con- necticut, of which three are travel centers. Pride has two convenience store-gas stations in Sims- bury and a third in Windsor Locks. Hartford will be its first Connecticut travel center, Bolduc said. Outside, the Hartford travel center will have 16 pump islands dispensing gasoline and diesel fuel, with ample parking and apron space for tractor-trailers, Bolduc said. Also provided will be a free "Park & Ride'' com- muter lot for about two dozen vehicles, and a 1,000-square-foot outdoor pet park for curb- ing four-legged passengers. Inside, the travel center will feature the usual array of convenience-store consumables and sundries. In addition, Pride will operate its own café-bakery, alongside independently GREEN SOLUTIONS…ONE SOURCE Only one company can build, power, protect, and maintain the critical systems in virtually every type of facility. Our clients trust us to provide sustainable, more productive, greener facilities. We are experts in: Energy Systems & Incentives Building Automation Technologies Sustainable Design & Operation 860.871.1111 Toll Free: 800.741.6367 nemsi.com License #'s: E1-104939 • S1-302974 • P1-203519 • F1-10498 • SM1-192 • MC-1134 MECHANICAL • ELECTRICAL • PLUMBING • SHEET METAL • BUILDING AUTOMATION • FACILITIES SERVICES R E N D E R I N G | C O N T R I B U T E D Artist's view of Pride Convenience Inc.'s proposed Hartford travel center off I-91 northbound and Jennings Road, in the city's North Meadows. Bristling with retail amenities and services, it also will provide ample parking for trucks and cars. Continued This site at the northeast corner of Jennings and Leibert roads in Hartford's North Meadow is proposed for a Pride Travel Center retail rest stop. H B J P H O T O | G R E G O R Y S E A Y