Stewart's Shops Slates Remodel of First Store

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. — Stewart's Shops Corp. plans to give its very first convenience store a modern makeover, according to a Daily Gazette report. Located at the corner of Church Avenue and Thomas Street in Ballston, the store occupies the site where Don Stewart once ran a commercial dairy with a storefront.

"This is bittersweet," stated Stewart's spokeswoman Maria D'Amelia. "This was our first location,"

The original store burned down in 1984 and was replaced the following year. Today, the store is smaller than most modern c-stores and only has one set of gas pumps.

The proposed remodel will occupy 3,000 square feet and feature more gas pumps, a to-go counter, pizza service and a beer cave.

"It's similar to a lot of other projects we have done with existing stores, demolishing them and rebuilding to make it larger and more convenient for our customers," said D'Amelia.

If Stewart's is granted approval by the Ballston Planning Board, it hopes to open the new store by this fall.

Saratoga Springs-based Stewart's Shops operates 333 convenience stores in upstate New York and Vermont.