Ohio now has 99 Sheetz stores, including the newest one just outside of Massillon

PERRY TWP. – The new Sheetz store hosted its first customers Thursday morning at 3544 Erie Ave. SW, which is across the road from a recently opened Dairy Queen restaurant , Aldi grocery store and Massillon Menard's.

Biz moves: Massillon getting new Dairy Queen, Sheetz station along Route 21 near Menard's

Massillon resident Tonia Gusbar was driving with her daughter and grandson early Thursday when the trio decided to stop by.

"It's a nice place. The people are so friendly," she said. "I like the selection, and there are places to sit and eat.

Shoot, what more can you ask for?"

The 6,879 square-foot Sheetz has a prototype building with a 24-hour food and beverage drive-thru and fuel canopy, as well as multiple diesel pumps for truck filling.

The new store along state Route 21 south of Route 30 is the 99th in Ohio, according to Codie Rodland, a Sheetz events and marketing specialist. All stores are open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

"We try to be the one-stop shop for everyone," said Rodland. "Whether it's for coffee, a turkey sandwich, pizza or snacks. Our drive-thru caters to that."

New spicy mozzarella sticks and seasonal Red Bull refresher drinks are among Sheetz's most popular items, Rodland said.

The Erie Avenue Sheetz has about 30 full-time and part-time workers combined, said Rodland.

Food, gas, gift card giveaways highlights of Sheetz's opening

Multiple fuel and food giveaways were part of Sheetz's grand opening on Thursday. The high prize was a $2,500 gift card that was to be awarded by late morning.

Free self-serve drinks were available to customers through midnight.

Also part of the opening was a $2,500 donation by Sheetz to the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank , which provides food and other essential items to partners within its network.

Stark County has a handful of Sheetz stations, with one in Perry Township at 5057 Tuscarawas St. W, and others in Alliance, Hartville, Jackson Township and North Canton.

Ted Herncane, Massillon's development director , called Erie Avenue SW a prime location for a Sheetz store and fueling center.

"They're basically right off of (state) Route 21 and close to Route 30, which has plenty of vehicle and (freight) traffic," he said.

Sheetz stores in six U.S. states, including Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. The company, which has 729 stores nationwide, was started in 1952 and is headquartered in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com . On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Ohio now has 99 Sheetz stores, including the newest one just outside of Massillon