Duchess with Tic Tac Taco opens in New Albany International Business Park

The first Duchess prototype store featuring a Tic Tac Taco has been opened in the New Albany International Business Park.

The 5,500-square-foot store, a brand owned by Englefield Oil Inc. of Heath, is at 2135 Beech Road, just north of state Route 161.

"This is our new flagship design," said Nathan Arnold, spokesperson for Englefield Oil. "So all of our new buildings are going to look like this."

The store, the 120th in the company, has a bright, clean interior with an open format, with all of the products and amenities of a modern gas-station convenience store, plus Tic Tac Taco, where burritos, tacos, bowls and such are made fresh to order.

"We've owned the land so many years before the explosion of development around here," Arnold said "So it's worked out for us."

What's also expected to work out is the Intel microchip processing facility, where excavation already has started.

"Intel was a surprise," Arnold said. "We're excited about what it's going to do to the central Ohio market."

More: Intel not expecting immediate benefits from $52 billion CHIPS Act

A store that was opened in January 2021 at 9550 Johnstown Road, also in New Albany, is similar to the new location on Beech Street but does not have a Tic Tac Taco, Arnold said.

Duchess also has a big competition in Sheetz, nearby at 9905 Johnstown Road.

Arnold said the company is a "friendly competitor" and that there's enough business for all involved.

"We're excited to be opening our newest Duchess on Beech Road," said Ben Englefield, president of the company. "We've been happy to be a part of this community for many years. This newest location offers even more convenience to highway travelers, local businesses and our loyal customers of this community."

Duchess has billed the customer experience as a "fresh family tradition," with such grab-and-go items as toasted and cold sandwiches and subs made in-house, as well as pretzels, hot dogs, chicken tenders and buffalo poppers.

Duchess is offering locally sourced items, such as Al's Delicious Popcorn, Wishwell Farms Produce relishes and syrup, Marsha's Homemade Buckeyes and various snacks from Conn's Potato Chips Co.

The wine selection is better than average for a convenience store, according to Arnold.

He said Englefield, family-owned since 1961, has no specific growth plans for Duchess, whose only store outside Ohio is in West Virginia, but is in the midst of rebuilding or remodeling 15 to 20 stores.

Scott McAfee, chief communications and marketing officer for the city of New Albany, said employees who work in the business park would benefit from the new Duchess.

"I think it's very good in the sense that it provide another convenient access to food and gas in our business park," he said.

gseman@thisweeknews.com

@ThisWeekGary

This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Duchess with Tic Tac Taco opens in New Albany International Business Park