QuikTrip closing Des Moines store; 4 more metro locations being sold

QuikTrip is closing its doors at 2221 East Euclid Ave. and is expected to sell four more of its locations in the Des Moines metro.

"We go through and evaluate every single store all the time," said Mike Thornbrugh, spokesperson for QuikTrip corporate. "Sometimes, you get to the point that some don’t make economic sense for us anymore."

The convenience store and gas station chain based out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, operates 24 stores in the Des Moines metro.

Its stores are known for larger interiors and a wide selection of hot foods, ranging from prepared hot dogs and roller foods to made-to-order pizza and pretzels. Its stores are primarily in the Midwest and southern states and the chain recently expanded to Denver, Colorado.

QuikTrip's Des Moines' store is closing following the opening of another location nearby at 1424 East Euclid Ave., Thornbrugh said.

The chain is selling its Clive store at 11925 University Ave., its Urbandale store at 9915 Douglas Ave., its Johnston store at 5169 Merle Hay Road, and its Windsor Heights store at 7220 Hickman Road. It is unknown yet whether those sales have finalized.

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While many in the retail industry are dealing with unprecedented challenges, convenience stores like QuikTrip are seeing profits grow, particularly with in-store food sales and the growth of product offerings. Walmart and Hy-Vee are growing their convenience store trail as more brands target consumers looking for fast and easy options.

For the 16th year in a row, in-store sales have increased for convenience stores, according to CNBC.

There is no date set for when the other stores will be sold.