Wilmington, N.C.-based VPS Convenience Store Group, has acquired 22 Appco locations in Bristols, Johnson City and Kingsport, TriCities.com reported.
The stores have been closed for the past six months, due to bankruptcy of the former owners, but will re-open under the Scotchman brand in the next few weeks.
“We are very excited to bring the Scotchman store brand to the Tri-Cities region,” VPS Chairman and CEO Jeff Turpin said. “The additional Appco locations will increase the total VPS store count to more than 400 convenience stores with operations in seven states and we look forward to continued growth in the Tennessee and Virginia markets.”
The company plans to hire about 150 people to staff the locations. Improvements already have been made at some facilities and additional upgrades are planned. Each facility is set to offer fuel and a broad selection of grocery, deli and bakery items.
“This area has been named one of the best local areas for business by Forbes, so we know our stores will be welcomed by the people here and we’ll be successful,” Turpin told TriCities.com.
The new owners are an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners Inc. and operate more than 400 convenience stores in the southeast and Midwest under the names Scotchman, Village Pantry, Li’l Cricket, Young’s and Next Door Stores.
