HELLERTOWN, Pa. – A popular chain offering gas, made-to-order food and drinks and various convenience items is expanding its footprint in the Lehigh Valley.
Sheetz, the Blair County-based chain with more than 750 locations across six states, is planning to open its ninth Lehigh Valley location next year at Main Street (Route 412) and Kichline Ave. in Hellertown.
The gas station and convenience store will operate across from the Interstate 78 East on- and off-ramps at Route 412.
A new Sheetz location is coming soon to Main Street (Route 412) and Kichline Ave. in Hellertown.
Ryan Kneller
The site was previously home to Star Pre-owned of Hellertown, a car dealership that was demolished a few months ago.
Sheetz had originally hoped to open its new Hellertown location by the end of 2025, but the company now targets early 2026.
“While weather and other factors can impact the exact timing of our store openings, we expect our store along Main Street in Hellertown to open in early 2026,” said Nick Ruffner, public affairs managers for Sheetz, in a written statement.
Sheetz, founded by Bob Sheetz in 1952 in Altoona, Blair County, aims to offer “kicked-up convenience while being more than just a convenience store,” according to a company description.
The company is known for its made-to-order food, including burgers, chicken sandwiches, burritos and appetizers, and specialty drinks such as cold-brew coffee, lattes, smoothies and milkshakes.
Sheetz operates more than 750 locations across Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland and Michigan, with all locations open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
The new Hellertown location will be Sheetz’s ninth Lehigh Valley location, supplementing other locations on Lehigh Street in Allentown, East Fourth Street in Bethlehem, Schoenersville Road in Bethlehem, MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township, Trexlertown Road in Upper Macungie Township, Nazareth Road in Palmer Township, Trolley Line Drive in Palmer Township and Golden Key Road in Weisenberg Township.
It will operate less than two miles from the 1.5-year-old location on East Fourth Street in south Bethlehem.
A Sheetz location operates 1780 E. Fourth St., just west of Emery Street, in south Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
Another local Sheetz location is planned for the Saucon Valley Square shopping center on Route 378 in Lower Saucon Township.
The new Hellertown location will operate next to a new Lehigh Valley Health Network neighborhood hospital, which is expected to open next year on the site of the former Champion spark plug factory.
The LVHN project is a three-story, 90,000-square-foot building, with the hospital occupying the first floor and medical offices on the two upper floors, according to a release by LVHN.