Sheetz open house in Fraser draws in residents

FRASER — Fraser residents flowed through the Fraser Lions Club hall to get more information about a potential Sheetz location at the former State Bank of Fraser.

Sheetz is a family-owned convenience store and gas station chain that started up in 1952. Locations are open 24 hours for 365 days of the year. It’s new to Michigan with the first location in Romulus breaking ground March 14.

In January, the Fraser Planning Commission denied Sheetz’s request to rezone the site.

Sheetz Public Relations Manager Nick Ruffner said the April 25 open house was an opportunity for the company to provide information about a proposed development and answer questions.

“It’s great to have back-and-forth dialogue about this project,” Ruffner said. “It’s something we’ve done in a lot of other communities where we have stores.”

Tables were set up throughout the hall with representatives fielding questions. At each table, residents could get information about everything from the proposed site plan to hearing from Sheetz employees. Attendees could pick up free coffee, snacks and a gift bag on the way out.

“It’s been pretty pleasant,” Ruffner said about the initial response to the event.

Resident Lori Kusmierz said, while she has nothing against the chain, she didn’t think it’s a good location.

“I know the residents of Fraser are very emotionally attached to the bank,” Kusmierz said. “I think that’s a lot of the problem here. If that bank wasn’t there and it was a vacant lot, I do believe there wouldn’t be the pushback there is right now.”

There are two gas stations, a Mobil and a Speedway, at the intersection of 14 Mile and Utica roads, near where the Sheetz would go.

“I just don’t see the need for a third gas station,” resident Daniel Northey said.

Sheetz Regional Director of Real Estate Justin Mandel said the business would offer gas pumps, food and convenience items.

Resident Donald Olszewski has been to other Sheetz locations throughout the country. He’s in favor of the business coming to Fraser.

“Sheetz are clean, spacious, new and well-maintained,” Olszewski said. “I have nothing bad to say about them.”

The building is currently owned by 32981 Utica Road LLC, according to a previous story in the Fraser-Clinton Township Chronicle. It has been vacant since 2019. Mandel said Sheetz would be under contract as a lessee.

Plans shown at the open house did not show a development utilizing the existing structure. Instead, there would be a new 6,139-square-foot building. It would feature 16 fueling stations, a picnic area and a detention pond.

Resident Morgan Northey said she had concerns about traffic and light pollution, but mainly wanted to see the building preserved.

“I would rather see somebody entrepreneurial come in and do something pretty with that bank,” Northey said. “That bank is beautiful. It could be something great.”

Ruffner said he hoped the one-stop-shop appeal for travelers would help sell the chain to the community.

“Our goal when we pursue a storefront like this is to be the best neighbor we can be in every community where we operate,” Ruffner said.

Fraser City Councilwoman Patrice Schornak said she had no problem with Sheetz but didn’t like the location they chose. She’s worried about how the store could impact existing businesses in the surrounding area of downtown Fraser.

“We have to be mindful of the businesses that have been here in this community,” Schornak said. “If they wanted to pick a different location, as a company, I would be 100% on board with them.”

Fraser Mayor Michael Lesich attended the meeting to get more information about the proposed Sheetz. He said they brought knowledgeable people to speak to the benefits. He also gauged public opinion.

“I didn’t hear anyone who came out and said, ‘OK, this changed my mind,’” Lesich said.

The next step for Sheetz is to try to get a proposed development approved by the City Council for a conditional rezoning agreement. Lesich said the earliest this could happen is June. He said Sheetz has presented plans to the Fraser Building Department for review to see if the plans fit the city’s ordinances.