Tucsonans may soon discover what their neighbors in Phoenix already know: QuikTrip, soon to be located on East Irvington Road, is not your regular convenience store.
“QT is awesome,” Phoenix native and Pima Community College student, Jon Barlow said. “I’ve been waiting for one of those to finally open up down here.”
QuikTrip, commonly known as QT, is a convenience store known for its low prices, unparalleled customer service, wide selection of items and constant cleanliness.
Construction began in August at 2345 E. Irvington Road, where a 5,000-square-foot QuikTrip convenience store with 16 gas pumps will be the first location in Tucson, said QuikTrip spokesman Mike Thornbrugh.
The store is expected to open in mid-January with future locations in Tucson to follow.
Those familiar with QuikTrip are excited for the Tucson opening.
“I would go out of my way to find a QT in Tucson,” said Morgan Walker, a University of Arizona business student from Phoenix. “For not only the cheap gas, but variety of products they sell there.”
Alexandra Bayse, fellow Phoenix native and University of Arizona student, said there is no cleaner convenience store facility than QuikTrip or any place that has a friendlier staff.
“Some gas stations are just disgusting, but never QT,” Bayse said. “Plus, you never know who you will run into at QT because people go out of their way to go there. It’s always like a party in the parking lot.”
Thornbrugh says his company cannot be matched because of the quality they guarantee on everything.
“What distinguishes QT from others in the industry is our employees. They are bright, articulate, fast, courteous and consistent,” he said.
The Tulsa-based corporation has been ranked by Fortune Magazine for seven years in a row as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For.” In 2009, QuikTrip was ranked number 27.
QuikTrip has 530 stores in nine states and sells 1.7 percent of all gas in the United States, Thornbrugh said.
The convenience store expanded to Phoenix in 2000 and has since opened 70 stores in the area. Tucson will be the first expansion into new markets since Phoenix, Thornbrugh said.
The future QuikTrip addition to Tucson may excite Phoenicians living in Tucson, but local residents do not know what all the hype is about.
“I have never heard of QuikTrip,” said Caroline Singer, South Tucson resident. “My sister works at Subway right next door and all they told her is it is a gas station going up. I think it is an awkward place for a gas station.”
But Thornbrugh remains hopefull about the future of the convience store in the Old Pueblo.
“(Tucson) is a great city,” Thornbrugh said, “and QT believes the opportunity for us to be successful and grow, are tremendous.”
