Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: A new, larger, prototype Circle K is being built in east Safford.
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – After more than two years in the works, the long-awaited mega Circle K in east Safford may open its doors next month.
The business’ opening got one step closer after the Safford City Council’s Sept. 10 meeting, in which the council unanimously recommended Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control approve the requested liquor license transfer from the Circle K store just to the east of the new building. The old Circle K store will close after the new one opens.
The new prototype store at 1542 E. U.S. Highway 70 dwarfs other area Circle K stores and boasts 5,881 square feet of retail space. The store also has 20 parking spaces and a 4,704-square-foot fuel canopy area with eight gas pump stations, with pumps on each side.
In addition to sporting a large variety of fountain drinks, gourmet coffee and fresh food offerings, including breakfast burritos, sandwiches, and salads, the larger store will also offer limited seating for those who wish to dine at the business.
Safford annexed the land for the store in August 2016, after Dan Cisiewski, Principal partner of Land Development Consultants LLC, gave a presentation to the council regarding the proposed store.
“You get so much traveling public on these interstate locations; everybody’s in a hurry now – getting to work, picking up kids – so the focus needs to be on readily consumable, good-quality food,” Cisiewski said in 2016. “It’s just a whole different environment in terms of servicing the customers’ needs.”
The store will benefit the growing Copper Canyon subdivision as well as mine traffic from Safford to Morenci and highway traffic.
