Oneida Nation's New C-store Banner Focuses on Fresh Food

ONEIDA, N.Y. — Central New York-based Oneida Nation plans to introduce Maple Leaf Market, its newest convenience store brand that focuses on fresh, made-to-order food.

The next-gen c-stores will emphasize healthier grab-and-go meal and snack offerings made with fresh ingredients and freshly brewed gourmet coffee.

The Oneida Nation plans to open five Maple Leaf Market locations within the next two to three years with construction on the first store, located on Route 5 and Sherrill Road in Sherrill, N.Y., set to begin at the end of May with a grand opening planned for the fall.

"We are constantly evolving our businesses as the needs and lifestyles of our guests change," said Ray Halbritter, Oneida Nation representative and Oneida Nation Enterprises CEO. "Combining a convenient one-stop-shop experience with fresh made-to-order food, Maple Leaf Market will fulfill the needs for our always-on-the-go guests moving forward."

Maple Leaf Market's menu of fresh sandwiches, soups, salads, pastas and more will be developed by the culinary team from the Nation's Turning Stone Resort Casino. Snacks will include fresh-cut fruits and vegetables with freshly brewed gourmet coffee.  Additionally, Maple Leaf Market will offer grocery and essential items, competitively priced gasoline, and a variety of imported and domestic beers.

The c-store chain will be designed with a rustic-contemporary Adirondack-style as a tribute to Upstate New York and symbolic of the Nation's regional pride by SixteenFifty Creative Intelligence, the same creative team behind the design of several of Oneida Nation's restaurants including TS Steakhouse, Upstate Tavern, Tin Rooster and Pino Bianco.

With Oneida Nation's TS Rewards loyalty program, guests can earn and use points on all Maple Leaf Market purchases, as well as purchases at all Oneida Nation Enterprise businesses, including Turning Stone Casino, Yellow Brick Road Casino, the golf courses, restaurants, spas, hotels, and entertainment and nightlife venues.

The expansion and daily operations of the new Maple Leaf Market will be overseen by John Boucouvalas, director of SāvOn and Maple Leaf Market operations, who has more than 25 years of leadership experience in smany U.S. convenience store brands, including 13 years with Wawa Inc.

The Oneida Indian Nation is a federally recognized Indian nation in Central New York. The Oneida Nation Enterprises provides employment and benefits for more than 4,700 workers, making it the largest employer in the region. Revenues are also shared with New York State and 10 counties in the region, and last year amounted to more than $62 million.