First Sheetz store in Michigan set to open Tuesday with free coffee, pop, prizes

If curiosity isn’t enough to entice you, Sheetz — the family-owned gas station and convenience store chain opening its first location in Michigan on Tuesday — is promising free coffee and pop, gift cards and "free Sheetz for a year."

The store, at 33380 Wick Road, is set to open at 8 a.m. with the grand opening celebration scheduled from 9-11 a.m. outside the store, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony and remarks by CEO Travis Sheetz and local dignitaries at 10:45 a.m.

Since it announced its expansion into Michigan, Sheetz has been saying it aims to become a retailer Michiganders are familiar with by opening 50 or more stores in the state in the next few years, and likely more stores as it expands across the state.

But some metro Detroit communities have rejected the company's proposal to open stores, and, as a clue — at least in its recent announcement of its opening — that Sheetz is still familiarizing itself with the state, the company referred to the carbonated sweet drinks as "soda" instead of "pop."

Based in Altoona, Pennsylvania, which is near the center of that state, the company bills itself as a fast-growing company that is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with more than 26,000 employees and more than 740 stores in a handful of states, including Ohio.

More: Sheetz CEO visits to Romulus, learns about Michigan left, Detroit pizza and hand maps

On Tuesday, in addition to the free drinks, $250 gift cards and "free Sheetz for a year," which the company estimates to be worth about $2,500, it also plans to give $5,000 to Forgotten Harvest, a nonprofit group that focuses on feeding people, as part of its aim to "fight hunger."

Sheetz said it also plans to give away thermal bags to folks who brings a nonperishable food item to donate to Forgotten Harvest, and it plans to give $5,000 to the Romulus Parks and Recreation department, and another $5,000 to the Special Olympics of Michigan.

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: First Sheetz store in Michigan set to open Tuesday with free coffee, pop, prizes