A dozen N.L. Ultramar stations being converted to Irving and Circle K as part of joint venture

The gas station and convenience store at the corner of New Gower and Waldegrave Street in downtown St. John’s is one of the first former Ultramar gas bar and Corner Store’s in the province to be converted to an Irving and a Circle K as part of the joint venture between Irving Oil Ltd. and Alimentation Couche-Tard, owners of the Circle K brand. A further 11 Ultramars around the island — seven of which are on the Avalon Peninsula — will be rebranded over the next couple of months. - Joe Gibbons

Newfoundlanders will notice 12 fewer Ultramar gas stations and more 12 more Irving stations around the province over the coming months.

Last month, Irving Oil Ltd. bought 13 Ultramar stations in Atlantic Canada from Quebec-based Alimentation Couche-Tard (ACT), the operator of the Circle K convenience stores at most Irving stations. Those stores will be owned by Irving, but operated by ACT.

Only one of those stores is located in St. John’s — the downtown gas station at the corner of New Gower and Waldegrave, which has already been rebranded as an Irving station with a Circle K convenience store, replacing the Ultramar and Corner Store brand that had been there since it was built some years ago.

Irving Oil strikes deal with Couche-Tard to acquire and brand retail sites

A further 11 Ultramar locations in this province — which ACT acquired in a merger with American-based CST Brands in 2017 — will be owned by ACT, but branded as Irving gas stations with a Circle K integrated.

“The same local staff will be there to greet our customers and offer them the programs we are known for in Newfoundland,” explains Lisa Koenig, ACT’s North American director of communications.

The 11 locations are (from east to west):

• 279 Portugal Cove Rd., St. John’s

• 172 Freshwater Rd., St. John’s

• 52 Kenmount Rd., St. John’s

• 14 Commonwealth Ave., Mount Pearl

• 1429 Portugal Cove Rd., Portugal Cove

• 265 Conception Bay Highway, C.B.S. (Longpond)

• 695 Conception Bay Highway, C.B.S. (Kelligrews)

• 151 Conception Bay Highway, Bay Roberts

• 41 Union Street, Grand Falls-Windsor

• 95 Mt. Bernard Ave., Corner Brook

• 9 Main St., Stephenville

The company will spend over $7.5 million to rebrand and refresh the stores inside and out, which is expected to be completed by the fall.

The same work is taking place at another 25 Ultramar locations throughout the Maritmes.

As part of the expansion, select sites will receive some of ACT food concepts like its popular Polar Pop, Roller Grill, Simply Great Coffee, Froster and fresh bakery products.

“We are continuing on our journey to become the world's preferred destination for convenience and fuel, with a fresh look and feel and even better products for people on the go, always combined with fast and friendly service," Pierre Peters, Vice-President Operations, Quebec East & Atlantic region, stated in a press release.

When all the work is completed, there will be 166 Circle K sites in Atlantic Canada.

ACT’s network includes over 10,000 stores throughout North America, more than 7-Eleven.

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