CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Popular convenience retailer Sheetz has officially broken ground on its second Michigan store, continuing its ambitious expansion into the Great Lakes State after years of building a loyal following elsewhere in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic.

The new store, located on 23 Mile Road just east of Interstate 94, will bring Sheetz’s signature mix of fuel services and made-to-order food to Chesterfield Township, a fast-growing community northeast of Detroit.

According to company representatives, the 6,100-square-foot store will feature eight fueling islands, including pumps for standard vehicles as well as a high-flow diesel option for trucks — a service that Sheetz says sets it apart from other fuel retailers in the area. The store is expected to open to the public in late summer or early fall 2025.

Local planning records show that the Chesterfield Township Planning Commission first approved Sheetz’s proposal to build on 1.66 acres at 29050 23 Mile Rd. in New Baltimore back in March 2024. This week, workers began the first steps of construction by removing the canopy of an older building that previously occupied the site.

The new Chesterfield store follows Sheetz’s debut in Romulus, where its first Michigan location opened in August 2024 to big crowds and eager customers who had long awaited the chain’s arrival in the state.

Since then, Sheetz has continued to pitch plans in cities and townships across southeast Michigan — receiving enthusiastic support in some communities but also facing questions or pushback in others over traffic, zoning, and competition with local businesses.

Despite these challenges, Sheetz says its expansion plans remain full speed ahead. More than a dozen new stores are expected to break ground in Metro Detroit this year and into 2026. Over the next five to six years, the Pennsylvania-based chain projects it will open 50–60 stores across southeast Michigan, marking a significant investment in the region’s retail and food service market.

“We’ve listened to Detroit residents and support for Sheetz in their communities is undeniable,” said Travis Sheetz, President and CEO of Sheetz, in a company news release. “In conversations at our first Romulus location, positive social media posts and comments at public hearings, we know people are ready for more convenience and restaurant options.”

Once complete, the Chesterfield Township store is expected to employ 30 to 35 workers, with most positions expected to be full-time roles that include benefits. As with all Sheetz locations, the new site will offer indoor and outdoor seating, a drive-thru, and made-to-order food and beverages — from breakfast sandwiches to custom coffees — that have helped Sheetz build a loyal customer base far beyond its fuel pumps.

As Sheetz works to grow in Michigan, its signature blend of convenience retail, fresh food, and 24/7 service aims to carve out new market share in a region that has long been dominated by other national and regional gas station brands.

If all goes according to plan, Chesterfield Township residents will soon join Romulus and the dozens of other communities across Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina where Sheetz has become a familiar stop for fuel, snacks, and quick meals — any time of day or night.

Originally reported by CStoredecisions.