*Kalamazoo* — A QuikTrip gas station and convenience store could become one of the first locations of the Oklahoma-based convenience store giant in Michigan, with city officials reviewing the proposal for a site near the I-94 interchange.

During the Kalamazoo Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday night, commissioners will consider granting a special use permit to project managers of a QuikTrip gas station looking to build a 16 pump gas station and 5,312 square-foot convenience store at 3810 E. Cork St.

The lot is currently home to an abandoned building, and the property was formerly occupied by The Crew Family Restaurant and Bakery, which now operates on Portage Road.

QuikTrip is currently in 22 states and looking to expand into Michigan where they currently do not have any sites

The project management team for the Cork Street location provided planning staff with a traffic study conducted by CESO, Inc., anticipating the station to generate 4,114 trips per day on a typical weekday.

City Planner Christina Anderson recommended that planning commissioners vote yes to approve QuikTrip's request based on a series of evaluations including possible adverse effects, traffic patterns and environmental impacts.

The land is zoned for community commercial for medium to large commercial and mixed use development. A special use permit is needed for builds that may have a greater propensity to adversely affect surrounding uses in a zone district.

Future land use maps support commercial development at the Cork Street location, and CC zoning allows for a wide range of retail, service, and office uses.

About QuikTrip

Founded in 1958, QuikTrip operates in 22 states with more than 31,000 employees. The privately held company is valued at more than $11 billion and ranks No. 9 on CSP's 2025 Top 202 ranking of U.S. convenience store chains by store count.

QuikTrip recently began construction in Missouri on a store featuring the chain's fourth-generation format, including an updated layout and design. The 6,400-square-foot store will be located in Crestwood, Missouri, on a stand-alone, 2-acre lot.

The company is expanding its Midwest presence, with Missouri being the most recent addition to its footprint.

Michigan Expansion Targets

While Kalamazoo is being considered for the first Michigan location, QuikTrip has also presented plans for locations in other Michigan communities:

  • Scio Township, near Ann Arbor, Michigan, received plans in August 2025
  • Howell, Michigan, has a proposed site at 1291 South Michigan Ave

Documents filed with the City of Howell describe the proposed development as including an 8,296-square-foot store with a full-service kitchen, 32 fueling stations for passenger vehicles, 12 diesel fueling stations for commercial vehicles, 40 parking spaces and seven commercial truck parking stalls.

The Kalamazoo site would be smaller at 5,312 square feet, with 16 pumps and no diesel fueling stations mentioned in the available documentation.

Planning Commission Review Process

City Planner Christina Anderson's recommendation came after a thorough review of the proposal including traffic studies, environmental impact assessments and community compatibility evaluations.

The planning commission will vote on whether to recommend approval of the special use permit to the city council for final consideration.

Sources

  • WWMT — https://wwmt.com/news/local/quiktrip-gas-station-convenience-store-proposal-build-3810-e-cork-st-project-managers-commercial-development-traffic-study-public-hearing-city-commission-planning-zoning-kalamazoo-western-michigan
  • CSP Daily News — https://www.cspdailynews.com/company-news/quiktrip-eyes-michigan