New Town Pump set for mid-September opening

The new Town Pump convenience store and gas station on the south end of Whitefish is on pace to open in mid-September.

The 13,100-square-foot building has been designed using brick, stone, steel and lap-board siding. Once completed, the store at the corner of Montana 40 and U.S. 93 will include 28 fueling stations and five electric vehicle charging stations.

Bill McGladdery, director of corporate communications for Town Pump, said the building design keeps in mind "it’s at the gateway to Whitefish.”

“This is going to be a gorgeous building,” he said on a recent tour of the construction site. “This design is specific for this location.”

The main floor is about 10,000 square feet and is planned to include 41 cooler doors, including the typical convenience store items, but also expanded offerings. The store will include snacks, soft drinks, beer and wine, along with groceries such as bread and milk.

The store will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Whitefish store will be the first Town Pump to include electric vehicle charging stations. McGladdery said Town Pump wants to be prepared as more drivers begin using electric vehicles.

“We’re looking to the future and the transitioning to electric vehicles,” he said. “We’re building our new stores to include it and we’re retrofitting our old stores to include it. We’re excited about that transition and serving customers who are conscious about their carbon footprint.”

Noting that charging an electric vehicle can take 20 minus or more, McGladdery said the store’s deli will offer an opportunity for customers to spend some time.

“We’re about creating the extra amenities for the traveler,” he said.

The deli will offer coffee, cappuccino, soft drinks, a selection of hot and cold food items prepared fresh at the store, and a selection of healthy eating options.

ENERGY-EFFICIENT LED lighting is being used both inside and outside the new building. Skylights in the store will allow for daylight harvesting, which adjusts the lighting levels based on the natural lighting levels saving energy.

Once the building is completed, landscaping will be done on the site.

The removal of mature trees on the site last year drew the ire of several folks in town, resulting in an apology from Town Pump and creation of an agreement with the City of Whitefish to replace the trees.

McGladdery said the trees were taken down by a subcontractor on the project without permission and Town Pump will honor its commitment to replace the trees. The trees will be 15 feet in height and the species will be approved by the city, he noted.

“We are replacing the trees at a two-to-one ratio for what was lost,” he said. “There were 11 trees cut down and we are adding 22 trees. Having landscaping and curb appeal is important.”

The current Town Pump on Spokane Avenue closer to the center of Whitefish has been operating for roughly the last 30 years and will remain there. McGladdery said at some point a remodel of the store is planned, though a timeline hasn’t been set.

The new Town Pump is expected to employ 35 people and applications are being taken for positions. For more information, visit https://jobs.townpump.com/.