Michigan's 1st Sheetz store opens in Romulus: Why people are excited

Michigan's first Sheetz store opened for business Tuesday near Detroit Metro Airport, attracting large crowds of customers who packed the new Romulus location and overfilled its parking lot.

Some of the first customers inside at 8 a.m. described themselves as devoted Sheetz fans who fell in love with the brand and its 24-hour stores — including around-the-clock kitchens and fuel pumps — while driving through the other six states where the family-owned and Altoona, Pennsylvania-based company has more than 740 locations.

President and CEO Travis Sheetz flew in for the grand opening and said he was impressed by the size of the turnout. Sheetz could ultimately open 50 to 60 locations in metro Detroit, he said, plus more in other parts of Michigan.

The Romulus store is on a former vacant lot at 33380 Wick Road, off of Interstate 94 and next to the newly built Romulus Trade Center.

More: Here are the features that make Sheetz stores so popular

"We felt like there was a void in the market for our type of offer, because it is unique with gas and food and everything else," Travis Sheetz said. "And we like that it’s a community-based area, because that’s how we are. We’re very attached to our community — we’ve been since the beginning — and we want to go to an area that resonates in that way.”

The first customer in line was Robert Pawlowski, 19, of Southgate, who said he was so excited for Sheetz's debut that he began waiting outside the store at 2:30 a.m. in his Chevrolet Sonic.

"I was unsure what it was going to look like crowd-wise," he explained, "and as you can see, it is a madhouse in here. I’ve been a Sheetz fan for as long as I can remember. Going down with my family to South Carolina each year in the summer, we would always stop at Sheetz."

He added, "They've got anything you want, from Mexican food to chicken sandwiches to breakfast at any point in time in the day."

Some of the most enthusiastic customers on Tuesday self-identified as "Sheetz Freakz."

That included Mickayla Selembo, 27, who said she grew fond of Sheetz stores while growing up in Pennsylvania. She moved three years ago to Holt, Michigan, just outside of Lansing, and made the hour-plus drive to Romulus on Tuesday morning to celebrate the company's arrival.

“I’m so glad that Michiganders can now enjoy Sheetz and hopefully love it as much as I do," Selembo said, "because it’s not overhyped and it’s more than a gas station.”

What makes Sheetz different

Here are some of the attractions to be found at Michigan's first Sheetz.

• A made-to-order kitchen that is open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. Customers can order on touch screens from a large menu featuring breakfast sandwiches, traditional sandwiches, pizza, burritos, "burgerz" and more. There also are tables to sit down and eat.

• A 24/7 coffee house called SBC or Sheetz Brothers Coffee.
• A drive-through for the Sheetz kitchen.

• 12 vehicle gas pumps and four diesel truck gas pumps.

• Slushy machines with multiple flavors including cherry, watermelon and "ultra raspberry."

• A milkshake machine offering flavors such as Oreo, Snickers, Reese's Peanut Butter and mint chocolate chip.

• A selection of pops, ice teas and energy drinks that is larger than the typical convenience store.
• Pre-packaged salads, sandwiches, fruit cups and more for those in a rush to grab and go.
• A basic foods aisle with staples such as loafed bread, pancake mix, Rice-A-Roni and boxed sugar.
• An outdoor "Pet Potty Area."

Jamil Griffith, general manager of the new Romulus Sheetz, said the store will be staffed and open 24/7 every day of the year, including Christmas. Starting pay is $16 an hour, with those working overnight shifts earning $1 more per hour. Supervisor pay starts at $20 an hour. The store is expected to eventually have about 40 employees.

“We usually offer free coffee on Christmas — so please do come in on Christmas," he said.

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

Sheetz is making preparations to open additional stores in several metro Detroit cities, including in Taylor, Warren, Macomb Township and Eastpointe.

Some proposed stores have encountered pushback at public meetings, often from neighbors who fear the traffic and commotion, and from owners of nearby existing businesses such as gas stations.

Travis Sheetz said Tuesday that this type of opposition isn't unusual in states like Michigan, where Sheetz is entirely new and many people may not yet be familiar with the stores and the brand.

“It’s par for the course," he said. "I started in real estate 30 years ago in the company and I would go to the meetings and people aren’t sure what you’re all about; they don’t know you."

"So that is what today’s about," he continued. "They are going to get to know us — and I think that will ease up."

Contact JC Reindl: 313-378-5460 or jcreindl@freepress.com . Follow him on X @ jcreindl

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan's 1st Sheetz store opens in Romulus: Why people are excited