Have you noticed an explosion of gas stations popping up around Baldwin County over the past year? You are not alone. Locally, the trend seemed to get a jump-start with the opening of Alabama's first …
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Have you noticed an explosion of gas stations popping up around Baldwin County over the past year?
You are not alone.
Locally, the trend seemed to get a jump-start with the opening of Alabama's first Buc-ee's in 2019. Sticking with the "being first" trend, Alabama's first Wawa opened recently in Fairhope. Wawa has plans to open additional locations around the area with a second in Fairhope, one in Robertsdale and in Mobile.
It's no secret Baldwin County is growing. Faster, in fact, than any other county in the state. More people means more vehicles and a need for more gas stations.
According to the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance's "Baldwin By The Numbers" report, 190,145 people called Baldwin County home in 2012. That number grew to 246,435 in 2022. The projection is that the growth will continue on that upward trend through 2034. The report projects a population of over 300,000 people by 2034.
On the tourism side, our beautiful beaches continue to attract visitors. In 2021, 8 million people visited Baldwin County and spent $7.3 billion. In 2022, 8.3 million people visited.
Over the past five years, we have spoken to franchise owners who and companies that have chosen to bring their brands to Baldwin County. Every time, they say they chose the area due to our growth.
In 2023, Trident Holdings LLC, which is based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, opened a Captain D's in Foley. The opening day sales blew the franchise's opening day sales record. President of Trident Holdings LLC, Chris Benner, said the area was suggested to him by a friend when the company was looking to expand on the Gulf Coast. Benner said the growth in Baldwin County was attractive and close to three locations they acquired in Pensacola.
While in the area to look for property, Benner spoke to the manager of the local Burger King to learn more about how they did in the area.
"I went into the Burger King and had lunch and started talking to a manager who was working. He indicated that Burger King location is one of the busiest in their whole franchise," Benner said. "I thought we needed to dig further and learn more about Foley and explore this more. I came back a month or two later with my business partner, and he and I drove up and down South McKenzie, and he liked the corner where we are."
Our area's rate of growth also attracted Jim 'N Nick's Community Bar-B-Q to the area. The Foley location opened Dec. 13, 2022. President Brian Lyman spoke to Gulf Coast Media during the grand opening.
"I pay attention to all the news outlets in terms of growth. When I look at the entire state of Alabama, Baldwin County, it is not lost on anybody, is the fastest growing county in the entire state," Lyman said. "We made it a priority to get down here to Foley. It was a short putt to know this was the right move for us."
The variety of gas stations and their offerings are not what we had 20 years ago.
Just like new Publix grocery stores open with Ramen bars, gas stations are following the upscale service trend. Some offer dining options and seating while others double as a place to grab gifts or last-minute, one-stop necessities.
Buc-ee's in Robertsdale features 120 fueling stations outside. On the inside, you feel like you walked into a combination of Bass Pro Shops, a Cracker Barrell gift shop and a grocery store. Visitors can pick up beach essentials like Boogie boards, fishing poles, frozen bait and Buc-ee's-themed bathing suits. Locals can shop for smokers, fire pits and grills. Hungry folks can order food from the kitchen, grab a hot brisket sandwich or visit the bakery counter. Need a restroom? They offer 26 stalls in the ladies' room and 12 stalls and 22 urinals in the men's. Best of all, they are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Cumberland Farms gas stations in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach not only offer gasoline and convenience stores but also a drive through Burger King. The interior offers visitors a food court with a Sbarro Pizza and Burger King and a seating area.
Cefco has been in the area for many years, but they have recently expanded, opening new locations in Gulf Shores and Loxley in 2023. There are currently seven Cefco locations throughout Baldwin County. The brand has followed the trend of being more than a convenience store by offering healthy grab-and-go snacks and fast-food options.
Wawa brings a new level of dining experience to the local gas station scene. Recently opened in Fairhope as the first location in Alabama, the brand not only offers freshly prepared and customized hoagies but after 4 p.m. you can take the family for dinner. Order a whole pizza or burgers and sit outside on one the many picnic tables. You won't even need to go to a second eatery for dessert because you can order everyone a milkshake.
As Baldwin County continues to grow, we are sure to see more popping up on high-traffic roads like the Foley Beach Express and Highway 59. What brands do you want to see? Email melanie@gulfcoastmedia.com.
