A&A Truck Stop transformed into TA Travel Center
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(Left computer/top phone) The former A&A Truck Stop, located about five miles east of Jackson off U.S. Route 35 in Bloomfield Township, has been purchased by the Las Vegas-based LV Petroleum Co., which has converted the business into a TA Travel Center of America location.(Center computer or middle phone): Miss J’s Café General Manager Leon Bunnell has a solid background in restaurant management. He was recently the general manager of the Chillicothe Olive Garden location. (Right computer ot bottom phone. (The new banners are up and the new large road sign will be soon,. (Telegram Photos by Red Thompson, Jr.)
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Red Thompson, Jr.
Telegram Staff Writer |
The Las Vegas-based LV Petroleum Company has purchased the A&A Truck Stop and has transformed it into a TA Travel Center of America with the popular restaurant still intact but with a different name. The business is located about five miles east of Jackson off U.S. Route 35 at the Dixon Run Road intersection. It was built, then opened in March 1991, by the duo of the late Alfred Daniels and the late Fred Trepanier. Most recently, Fred’s son, Steve Trepanier, was the active owner/operator. In addition to becoming a busy stop for truckers, the sit-down restaurant has long been a popular eatery with locals from all over Jackson County.
The new owner has been transforming the former A&A Truck Stop into a TA Travel Center of America location with the restaurant portion becoming Miss J’s Café. There are about 250 TAs in the U.S. which are either corporate-owned or other franchise-owned.
LV Petroleum Senior Vice President Jeanette Davis told The Telegram that the company is happy to bring the nationally known TA brand to Jackson County. She spoke of the staff, the changes, what is being kept, and the chain’s national prominence.
Leon Bunnell, who is originally from Wellston and now lives in Jackson, is the general manager of Miss J’s Café. He has a solid background in restaurant management and was recently the general manager of the Olive Garden restaurant in Chillicothe.
Davis says Bunnell filled the bill when they were looking for a general manager, both from a business and community standpoint.
“Leon has the credentials and experience we were looking for,” Davis stated. “He brings a lot to the table and is also highly matched up to the community. Being involved in local communities is what LV Petroleum is about.” Bunnell will be assisted by Jessica Cook (right), who brings strong management experience gained at the Bob Evans restaurant in Jackson.
Davis explained about the scope of the company.
“We are the biggest franchisee of TAs in America as we presently have 40 and hope to have 60 by the end of the year,” she stated. “We are trying to connect the dots across the United States and spread across the country. We go from Las Vegas and Arizona, all the way over to Lake Springs, Virginia. We are up in New York, Pennsylvania and in the Dakotas. We have several more locations in our pipeline.”
TA has just entered the Buckeye State market with purchases in Jackson and Napoleon. Davis noted the company does not own the TA in Jeffersonville or any Ohio location.
Davis explained the company is undertaking a long process and significant remodeling at the new Jackson property with much work already done. The dining room, kitchen, convenience store, bathroom, showers, and lounges have all been upgraded but the menu will stay the same. She also offered clarity on the common misconception of why the restaurant’s name is not Country Pride, which is associated with many TA locations.
“Country Pride is proprietary to the corporate locations,” Davis noted. “So, I cannot run a full-service diner under the Country Pride name.”She also pointed out that “Even if LV buys a corporate store with a Country Pride diner in that facility, I do have to change the name. So that way, franchise sites are not confused with corporate sites.”The company is adding Miss J’s Pizza Bar, where individual slices and 16-inch pizzas will be sold. She explained that for now, the Travel Center — every part of the building but the dining room — will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
For now, the dining room hours will range from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily, but could be expanded if business warrants. Davis stated the garage operation will also remain open and improvements will be made as needed. Davis also noted the big Travel America sign is not up yet but it will be soon and will serve as a final touch of the new owner’s entry into the Jackson County and Southern Ohio market.
The new owner has been transforming the former A&A Truck Stop into a TA Travel Center of America location with the restaurant portion becoming Miss J’s Café. There are about 250 TAs in the U.S. which are either corporate-owned or other franchise-owned.
LV Petroleum Senior Vice President Jeanette Davis told The Telegram that the company is happy to bring the nationally known TA brand to Jackson County. She spoke of the staff, the changes, what is being kept, and the chain’s national prominence.
Leon Bunnell, who is originally from Wellston and now lives in Jackson, is the general manager of Miss J’s Café. He has a solid background in restaurant management and was recently the general manager of the Olive Garden restaurant in Chillicothe.
Davis says Bunnell filled the bill when they were looking for a general manager, both from a business and community standpoint.
“Leon has the credentials and experience we were looking for,” Davis stated. “He brings a lot to the table and is also highly matched up to the community. Being involved in local communities is what LV Petroleum is about.” Bunnell will be assisted by Jessica Cook (right), who brings strong management experience gained at the Bob Evans restaurant in Jackson.
Davis explained about the scope of the company.
“We are the biggest franchisee of TAs in America as we presently have 40 and hope to have 60 by the end of the year,” she stated. “We are trying to connect the dots across the United States and spread across the country. We go from Las Vegas and Arizona, all the way over to Lake Springs, Virginia. We are up in New York, Pennsylvania and in the Dakotas. We have several more locations in our pipeline.”
TA has just entered the Buckeye State market with purchases in Jackson and Napoleon. Davis noted the company does not own the TA in Jeffersonville or any Ohio location.
Davis explained the company is undertaking a long process and significant remodeling at the new Jackson property with much work already done. The dining room, kitchen, convenience store, bathroom, showers, and lounges have all been upgraded but the menu will stay the same. She also offered clarity on the common misconception of why the restaurant’s name is not Country Pride, which is associated with many TA locations.
“Country Pride is proprietary to the corporate locations,” Davis noted. “So, I cannot run a full-service diner under the Country Pride name.”She also pointed out that “Even if LV buys a corporate store with a Country Pride diner in that facility, I do have to change the name. So that way, franchise sites are not confused with corporate sites.”The company is adding Miss J’s Pizza Bar, where individual slices and 16-inch pizzas will be sold. She explained that for now, the Travel Center — every part of the building but the dining room — will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
For now, the dining room hours will range from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily, but could be expanded if business warrants. Davis stated the garage operation will also remain open and improvements will be made as needed. Davis also noted the big Travel America sign is not up yet but it will be soon and will serve as a final touch of the new owner’s entry into the Jackson County and Southern Ohio market.
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- (Below Photo): Longtime A&A Truck Stop waitress Michelle Tucker (pictured) has worked at the restaurant for 33 years and will be a familiar face to customers at new Miss J’s Café. (Telegram Photo by Red Thompson, Jr.)
