Love's Travel Stop Opens with Brisk Business

The new Love's Travel Stop and Country Store opened in Lake Wales Thursday, Aug. 29 to brisk business, some driven by customers wanting to fill up on gasoline and other supplies in preparation for the potential arrival of Hurricane Dorian.

"We are continuing to monitor Hurricane Dorian's path as it nears landfall," said Love's Media Relations Specialist Caitlin Campbell. "We're taking safety precautions as well as increasing fuel and food deliveries to stay stocked as people are preparing for the storm. Love's teams are prepared to care for customers as long as possible and will remain open as long as weather doesn't force closure."

The store at the northeast intersection of U.S. 27 and Hunt Brothers Road brings with it 70 new jobs and a 24-hour operation that offers hot showers and 68 parking spaces for weary truckers or other travelers. Love's operates three food establishments - Chester's Chicken, Godfather's Pizza and Subway – along with traditional convenience store choices from hot dogs, salads, sandwiches, fruit, snacks, candy and beverages plus a coffee bar with many options.

Someone realizing they need to pick up a quick gift can find an impressive array of electronics, toys and glass trinkets. The Love's also offers truck maintenance and tire services. The store also has a fenced grassy area that serves as a dog park.

In addition to the Lake Wales Store, Love's opened a travel stop Thursday in Commerce, Georgia.

"We're excited to expand our footprint in Florida and Georgia," said Tom Love, executive chairman and founder of Love's. "We want to place Love's in locations that are convenient for professional and four-wheel drivers and both of these central locations will ensure that customers have access to quality products and services as they travel throughout each state."

Here are the amenities the company highlighted for the Lake Wales store:

• More than 8,000-square-feet.

• Chester's Chicken, Godfather's Pizza and Subway.

• Sixty-eight truck parking spaces.

• Seventy-one car parking spaces.

• Seven diesel bays.

• Five showers.

• Love's Truck Tire Care center.

• Laundry facilities.

• Bean to cup gourmet coffee.

• Brand-name snacks.

• Mobile to Go Zone with the latest electronics.

• CAT scale.

• Dog park.