Love's Travel Stop shared details this week about its plans to build a travel center along I-74 near Knoxville. The company told the city council the facility will include a truck tire shop, showers for truckers, and a convenience store.
Love's purchased the 22 acre site in April. Construction is expected to begin around spring of next year, with an opening by winter 2017. The estimated construction cost is $7.5 million.
The stop will employ around 40 people at the start, with the potential for expansion.
Knoxville Mayor Robert Johnson said the travel center provides the community with a lot of opportunity.
“It brings in a tax base, and these are hard times for everybody. And always like to see that we can provide more services and get more tax money without raising taxes,” Johnson said.
Kealey Dorian, communications specialist for Love's, said negotiations are underway to also bring in a hotel and a restaurant. She said the restaurant could be franchise that is new to the area.
“We do take a survey of what else is in the area. We want to be able to offer a variety and not directly compete with someone who’s maybe right next door to us in this case. So it could very well play a factor in what we select,” Dorian said.
The company’s website lists 19 restaurants that are affiliated with Love’s. Those on the list that do not have stores in the Galesburg and Knoxville area include Burger King, Denny’s, and Bojangles’.
Dorian hoped the travel stop site will be annexed into the city of Knoxville.
“We won’t be annexed in until we close on all the property. Right now, we’re under contract for the property. And so as soon as we close on that, we can start the annexation process,” Dorian said.
Johnson said annexing the property would give Love’s lower sewer and water rates.
Love’s operates more than 340 travel stops in 40 states in the country.
