Stop & Shop opens 91st gas station

Stop & Shop opens 91st gas station

Pete Fontaine for Johnston Sun Rise

Stop & Shop opened their 91st fueling station in Johnston yesterday morning at 11 Commerce Way off Atwood Avenue.

“We’re just thrilled to be here in Johnston,” said Paula Besso, Stop & Shop’s New England Division District Director.

The new fueling station is located on the property owned by Carpionato Group that once housed Newport Creamery.

Besso explained that Stop & Shop Supermarkets, which employ 63,000 associates and operate more than 400 stores throughout New England, New York and New Jersey, began opening gas stations in 2008 as an added benefit to customers.

“[It] helps our customers save money,” she said. “In some cases they could receive as much as 10 cents off per gallon through a points program. Since the rewards program began, our customers have saved millions of dollars.”

The district director, who oversees 14 stores, explained how Stop & Shop’s gasoline program operates. For every $100 spent in stores, customers receive 100 points. Every 100 points equals 10 cents off per gallon at the pump. Gas rewards points expire after 30 days after issuance and may be redeemed at any Stop & Shop gas station. There is a 2,200-point limit and 35-gallon maximum fuel up per visit.

Besso introduced Kelly Coates, the senior vice president of Carpionato Group LLC, who brought greetings from his company.

“We appreciate the investment that Stop & Shop has made here in Johnston. This is phase two of the facelift Stop & Shop will make to this store,” he said.

Coates hinted that other upgrades at the store are forthcoming in the near future. He said working in Johnston has been a pleasure for Carpionato.

“This was all made possible by a lot of work by the mayor. He’s pro-business and pro-taxpayer; if Mayor [Joseph] Polisena thinks a project is good for the Town of Johnston, he goes right after it,” he said.

Polisena says the feeling is mutual.

“I want to thank someone who’s not here today: that’s Mr. [Alfred] Carpionato for believing in our town and enhancing this property…and for bringing something to town that is good for our residents,” he said.

Polisena, who was accompanied at the ribbon cutting by Johnston Town Council members Eileen Fuoco and David Santilli, said he is pleased to have a vacant lot filled.

“I’ve always said that if you don’t see much traffic on the road, there’s a problem. That will not be the case here; this is a great location and asset,” he said.

Polisena was assisted in the ribbon cutting ceremony by Besso and Cheryl Rezendes, the general manager at Stop & Shop’s Johnston supermarket, who made a special bow in the chain’s official colors of purple and yellow.

Also taking part in yesterday’s ceremony were Nicole Merrill, Stop & Shop’s Construction Program Manager; Ken Silvia, Fuel Specialist; Earl Morrison, Operations Manager for Fuel; Teresa Edington, Event Communication Specialist; and Leo St. Onge and Jimmy Pitocco, fueling station attendants.

The Stop & Shop Fueling Station will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Yesterday’s price per gallon of regular gasoline was $3.39.

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Media Inquires

For media inquiries please contact:
Sheryl A. Carpionato
Vice President of Marketing
SCarpionato@carpionatogroup.com
401-273-6800