Oct. 5, 2018
Hall of Fame travels to Greenville, S.C. this year to induct Stewart Spinks
Although James Taylor sang "going to Carolina in my mind" back in 1968, many convenience store chains lately have become equally attracted to the two southern states.
There are almost 10,000 convenience stores in North and South Carolina, among the highest concentrations in the country. North Carolina is home to the second largest company-operated c-store chain in the country, The Pantry. Meanwhile, Altoona, Penn.-based Sheetz has called North Carolina its No. 1 market for growth.
The action isn't limited to North Carolina. Savannah, Ga.-based Parker's plans to add two stores to its Bluffton, S.C., trade area, and Tulsa, Okla.-based QuikTrip plans to more than double the number of new locations it will open in Anderson County, S.C.
Newcomers to the Carolinas will have to contend with one of the most innovative and customer-friendly convenience store chains in the country.
With close to 70 stores in North and South Carolina, Greenville, S.C.-based Spinx Co. has been a longtime industry leader in technology and product mix. Its stores represent some of the best examples of modern c-store retailing.
So, it is with great pleasure that we congratulate Spinx's founder and CEO Stewart Spinks on his election into the Convenience Industry Hall of Fame this year. This year's Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place Nov. 14 in Greenville.
Launched in 1987 by Convenience Store News with the induction of Chester Cadieux of QuikTrip, the Hall of Fame has recognized convenience store industry pioneers and innovators from companies of all sizes, including James Keyes of 7-Eleven, Carl Bolch Jr. of RaceTrac, and Dick Wood of Wawa.
Since opening his first store in 1972, Spinks has always strived to "Give Customers What They Want — Faster and Easier!" His stores today offer safe, clean environments and multiple "fueling" products, from gasoline to value merchandise to fresh foodservice.
And whether it involves community events such as Spinx Run Fest or store fundraisers for the American Cancer Society, Spinks' philosophy of "giving back" has always been a big part of the Spinx culture.
Sharing the spotlight with Spinks this year will be Pat Cordle of BIC, who was selected for induction into the supplier wing of the CSNews Hall of Fame by the same 40-member Blue Ribbon panel of industry peers and past inductees.
A past chairman and current executive committee member of the NACS Supplier Board, Cordle began his career at BIC in 1986 and has served in several sales and sales management positions over the past 25 years. He currently serves as vice president of field sales, responsible for sales and sales operations. Cordle has served on the NACS Supplier Board since 2000. He is also a member of the American Wholesale Marketers Association board and serves on the Convention and Expo Committee.
