Starbucks, New Convenience Store Planned For Hwy 29, Hwy 97 In Molino

November 28, 2017

UPDATED STORY: Diamond Gasoline now says their new store will not include a Starbucks; click here to find out why.

A new convenience store and Starbucks are in the works at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino.

Escambia County Development Services records shows Diamond Gasoline of Atmore has submitted initial planning documents for the convenience store on 8.22 acres at the northwest corner of the intersection, across Highway 97 and north of the current Tom Thumb store.

According to a letter from the construction company, the new convenience store/gas station will be constructed “with a Starbucks attached to the side”.  The letter also states the owners wish to have two fueling station canopies — one for regular gasoline and the second for diesel and commercial vehicle operations.

The Escambia County Development Review Committee will hold a pre-application meeeting on store plans this Thursday afternoon. Before construction could begin,the plans must go through several more steps in the county approval process. At the pre-application stage, there is no assurance that plans will ever reach the construction stage or that the facility will have the currently outlined layout, according to a county official.

Diamond Gasoline is a family-owned and operated business that has operated convenience stores and a wholesale gasoline distribution service in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi for the past 50 years, according to the company website.

Pictured top: Plans are in the works for new convenience store and Starbucks just north of Tom Thumb in Molino. NorthEscambia.com graphic. Pictured below: Preliminary site plans.

Comments

31 Responses to “Starbucks, New Convenience Store Planned For Hwy 29, Hwy 97 In Molino”

  1. A on November 28th, 2017 11:48 pm

    I want someone to spend millions of dollars to build a place that is convenient for me so that I can maybe go there once a year or so. And they better be nice to me too. I expect a dollars worth of service for my nickel.

  2. Mike on November 28th, 2017 10:34 pm

    I will not buy from Starbucks period, we need a grocery store and a Hardee’s, and a Navy Federal credit Union branch!

  3. molino jim on November 28th, 2017 9:13 pm

    It’s odd so many people would like a grocery store. Except for fresh produce the dollar store has a full line and the Thump has fresh fruit. The prices at the dollar are in line with most stores and is sure close than Cantonment. Look around some times at what they have.

  4. Amazing!! on November 28th, 2017 7:37 pm

    I don’t understand why people flock to Starbucks they are so extremely overpriced! Bought a small drink there a week ago for 4 bucks. I guess if you can sell em for that no need to lower the price.

  5. James Broel on November 28th, 2017 6:55 pm

    Tom Thumb is owned by Kroger so there are great opportunities for diversity there. I for one am proud of more open minded organizations. Starbucks would complement the choices. Too bad we can’t get a grocery store but it could be worse. Maybe this will help increase additional businesses in the area. Yay Starbucks! !

  6. Just some girl on November 28th, 2017 6:13 pm

    It would great if some local business could open there instead. No more chains!

  7. A on November 28th, 2017 5:29 pm

    It seems to me that ingress and egress from that corner would be a lot safer in terms of traffic flow at that intersection. We all know how accident prone that area has become. The Tom Thumb business has grown exponentially since it first appeared there years ago and I’m sure no one anticipated the congestion it would eventually cause by being on that inside corner. I’m referring to the 29N/97N split, of course. Competition is good for everybody. Growth is good for everybody. I wouldn’t try to fight it.

  8. CW on November 28th, 2017 5:19 pm

    Younger people will support Starbucks without letting all of that region stuff get in their way. I don’t care for the views of Chick-fil-A’s founders, but if I want one of their chicken sandwiches I’m going to buy it.

  9. wharf rat on November 28th, 2017 4:33 pm

    If my memory serves me right, Starbucks is an enemy of the 2nd Amendment, and is indeed a left-wing supporting company. Any info to the contrary would be appreciated.

  10. Ponderosa hill on November 28th, 2017 3:43 pm

    Don’t think sewers are available in that location……maybe have to create their
    own system. Natural gas might be available and water so the 8 acres might
    provide room enough for several other type business . But, if it’s going to be
    primarily a Truck Stop ( don’t know ) then that’ll be it. They’ll have to solve the
    traffic accident problem but that can be done. I’m kinda liking this and if it would
    Include a What-a-burger and a Dunkin Doughnuts then we’d be good.

  11. BillWelch on November 28th, 2017 3:37 pm

    Been saying for years that Tom Thumb needed to use some of their profits to buy up the opposing corners, also Starbucks is a little to left leaning for Molino and the North end, plus it’s way over priced

  12. Mamat1946 on November 28th, 2017 2:46 pm

    What we really need is a grocery store. Not Starbucks.

  13. waterman on November 28th, 2017 2:44 pm

    Can’t have any new restaurants without having city sewer. Jimmy’s, and Tom Thumb are grandfathered in.

  14. Elmo on November 28th, 2017 1:41 pm

    Competition is always a good thing for the consumers. I just hate the idea of Diamond Oil, a FAMILY owned business, is partnering up with the worst of the anti-christian businesses….. Starbucks! I can already see many local commuters refusing to spend their money simply because of Starbucks being at the location. I guess this is kinda good news for Tomb Thumb?

  15. Foooddddddd! on November 28th, 2017 12:54 pm

    I think it’s a waste to put another gas station. We have one and it’s a small area. We don’t need another. Starbucks is a waste, I’d rather have Chik Fil A or Taco Bell, or any food option.

  16. Angie B on November 28th, 2017 12:29 pm

    Why another gas station? Why not a fast food chain?
    Chick-fil-A would be great!!!!!
    Or a WAFFLE HOUSE!!!
    They have the best coffee anyway.

  17. Teresa on November 28th, 2017 11:15 am

    Why another gas station for one? And why at the worst intersection in Molino which happens to already have a gas station there number two? How about move down the road a few ways and build us a small grocery store and stick your Starbucks on the end of that.

  18. Mary on November 28th, 2017 11:13 am

    The intersection is not that bad. The stop light helps a lot. Accidents happen because people do not pay attention and drive too fast. I like the idea of another gas station close by. Keeps things competitive. As for the Starbucks, I would rather see a Wendy’s or a Subway! ;)

  19. My2Cents on November 28th, 2017 11:04 am

    I hate to see all of the trees coming down for Starbucks and yet another gas station. Why?

  20. Make it stop on November 28th, 2017 11:00 am

    Stop ruining our small towns. Boycott!!

  21. anne 1of2 on November 28th, 2017 10:57 am

    Yeah, this should add to all the excitement at that intersection.

  22. Red on November 28th, 2017 10:12 am

    Nobody up here wants a Starbucks are y’all stupid!!? This is the country, we support locals like lava java. If u want to run a competition with the Tom Thumb go for it. But atleast put a food established chain, not a Starbucks. A Hardee’s would be nice. Hell a chic filet would be the shiznet

  23. Becky on November 28th, 2017 9:42 am

    Yay!!!! There have been many times I have just wanted a decent iced coffee. :)

  24. Becky on November 28th, 2017 9:34 am

    Finally! I am excited!

  25. Dudley Herrington on November 28th, 2017 9:10 am

    This is Great News !!!! You can’t hardly get waited on in the Tom Thumb. I am glad to see that Someone is stepping up to Compete with Tom Thumb, as they have been Charging Just What ever they want !!!
    I Can’t Wait !!

  26. local on November 28th, 2017 8:58 am

    It could work… just call it ‘StarBubbas’ instead. Home of the Bubba Mocha Latte’, and the Chocolate Deer Croissant.

  27. Leslie on November 28th, 2017 8:28 am

    Just what we need……more congestion right there.

  28. Skeptic on November 28th, 2017 8:21 am

    Really? Starbucks? In Molino? Ummmm…. Genius.

  29. Michelle on November 28th, 2017 6:43 am

    So they want to build a gas station, right by a gas station on an intersection that is famous for so many accidents?
    This needs more planning and not another gas station. Look how many are in Cantonment alone?
    I don’t think it is needed.

  30. Tracy A Smith on November 28th, 2017 6:10 am

    They need to fix the Hwy 97 and Crabtree Church Road intersection before this happens by putting in turn lanes or else there is going to be more back ups in this area. This area is still a mess.

  31. Mary on November 28th, 2017 6:07 am

    Starbucks in Molino?…..the End is Near!