CRESTVIEW — Temple, Texas-based CEFCO Convenience Stores, founded in 1976, is branching into Florida, opening its first Sunshine State stores in Crestview and Niceville.
Construction work has been underway for several weeks on the store’s site on the corner of State Road 85 and Stillwell Boulevard. The site encompasses a former BP gas station and part of the former Okaloosa Grain plant nursery.
CEFCO currently operates more than 225 locations across Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. The Crestview CEFCO site is across the highway from a Tom Thumb that is backed by the local chain’s corporate offices.
“It’s going to be good-sized,” city engineer Fred Cook said.
In addition to gas pumps and a convenience store, the new CEFCO will have a car wash. Many CEFCO stations also feature a Fresh Eats Café, the chain’s signature deli.
Though in Okaloosa County jurisdiction, Crestview will provide utilities, Administrative Services Director Teresa Gaillard said. However, the store will not be annexed to the city “because it would create an enclave,” she said.
Another CEFCO station is under construction in Niceville. It is scheduled to open at the end of next month.
Crestview's store is set to open in June, if construction goes well, a CEFCO spokesperson said.
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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: This gas station is making its Florida debut in Crestview