Open Source: What is happening to the former Cheddar’s in Ontario?

ONTARIO — The property at 979 N. Lexington-Springmill Road is still set to become a gas station, albeit later than originally planned.

A detailed timeline of reporting efforts is below, but the latest update came from an email conversation April 15 with Giant Eagle Public Relations manager Jannah Drexler.

“While the GetGo business is in the process of being sold to a new ownership group, the Ontario GetGo construction project has been paused,” she said. “Once the pending sale closes, the new owner will determine the development plan for any potential future sites.”

I received this email this evening of April 11 after reaching out to the general communications line for Alimentation Couche-Tard earlier that day with lots of questions. Here’s what I wrote:

Hello,

I’m Grace McCormick, business reporter for Richland Source in Mansfield, Ohio. I’m reaching out to ask whether a Couch-Tard representative can clarify any plans for a GetGo gas station in Ontario, Ohio at 979 N. Lexington-Springmill Road (zip code 44906).

The last Richland Source published about this, it was set to become a GetGo gas station with a Giant Eagle drive-thru. However, this was before Couch-Tard announced the acquisition of GetGo locations. 

I wasn’t sure whether proposed locations were included in that acquisition or not.

Richland Source has been getting quite a few questions on this property and my editor wants to write a story trying to find answers or at least documenting a timeline of efforts to find them.

Would you be able to share any info you have available by Monday or Tuesday? I would really appreciate if your team could share whether you’re aware of this project, if Couch-Tard/ GetGo plans to build there or any contact info you might have for the current property owner Texas-based Denali Properties LLP (I haven’t found a media relations contact for them).

Thanks!

I’ve been keeping tabs on this project since it was first proposed in November 2022.

An excerpt from the Nov. 9, 2022 story:

Bohler and Giant Eagle will install 12 gas pumps and have electric vehicle charging options.

Gogolin said Giant Eagle wants to start construction on this location by summer 2023. She said the parking lot layout will stay about the same as Cheddar’s, with a drive-thru lane added.

Planning Commission Chair Susan Hellinger said the proposed gas station will need to ensure 20 feet of greenery and a fence around the north and west sides of its building. These are required in Ontario’s zoning ordinances for developments bordering residential property lines.

According to the Richland County Auditor’s Office, the property is owned by Texas-based limited liability partnership Denali Properties. 

The only contact info for a Denali Properties I could find was for Denali Commercial Properties LLC, which is a separate company. Emails I exchanged with one of those co-founders in February 2023 said, “This must be another company using the Denali name…it’s not one of our projects.”

A timeline of everything we know on the former restaurant and proposed gas station

Nov. 9, 2022: Bohler Engineering presented plans to build a GetGo gas station and Giant Eagle drive-thru. Erin Gogolin, Pittsburgh-based product manager for Bohler Engineering, said that Bohler will partner with GetGo parent company Giant Eagle to provide fresh food options.

Feb. 22, 2023: I emailed Gogolin’s listed email from paperwork filed with the city. I asked when the team would hope to begin demolition, break ground or open. I didn’t receive a response after a follow-up a few days later.

March 5, 2023: Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen closes.

October 2023: Former Ontario zoning inspector Michael Morton said the last he knew about the project, Bohler Engineering and Giant Eagle were waiting on the availability of contractors and materials to begin demolition and building work.

May 1, 2024: I submitted a customer service request to GetGo requesting an update on construction plans.

May 2, 2024: I received a response to the customer service request from ge@help.gianteagle.com that read:

“Thank you for contacting Giant Eagle regarding a GetGo location, we do appreciate your feedback. We have forwarded your comments to the appropriate management for review.”

July 11, 2024: Giant Eagle media relations responded to my request from the previous day for an update on the project.

From Dan Donovan, senior director of public relations and sports partnerships for Giant Eagle: “Thanks for reaching out. We continue to explore the best possible use for the potential GetGo site on N. Lexington-Springmill Road in Ontario, but have no confirmed plans to share at this time.”

Aug. 19, 2024: Circle K’s parent company, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., announced its acquisition of GetGo Cafe + Market Stores from Giant Eagle. The deal included 270 stores across Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia and Maryland.

Oct. 9, 2024: Service-safety director Adam Gongwer shared an update with planning commission members.

“What we don’t know is whether Circle K has fully completed the acquisition of GetGos,” he said in October 2024. “There is a small chance that we have fallen through the cracks and Circle K just doesn’t know about us — but we are in contact with them to see who owns this land and what the plans are with it.”

January 2025: I continue asking Ontario public officials about the former Cheddar’s when I see them at events. One tells me, “I don’t even have any secret information that I can’t share with you.”

Jan. 29, 2025: I emailed the then-communications manager for Darden Restaurants, which includes Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen to ask for help on tracking down what’s going on with the former Cheddar’s restaurant.

I wrote: “I’m seeing from our county auditor that Denali Properties LLP in Texas owns that property — do you know if that’s associated with Darden Restaurants at all? I’m trying to determine if GetGo’s parent company owns that property or if a company associated with Cheddar’s still does.” 

I received an out-of-office email in response and no further communication from Cheddar’s.

April 15, 2025: Giant Eagle public relations manager Jannnah Drexler informs me Giant Eagle is still handling media questions related to GetGo brands as Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. completes formal closure of the acquisition.

“Giant Eagle, Inc.  has reached an agreement to sell the GetGo convenience store business to Alimentation Couche-Tard, a global leader in the convenience store industry and fuel retail business and the operator of the Circle K brand here in the Midwest,” Drexler said. “We at Giant Eagle are currently handling all media tied to the GetGo brand as we anticipate formal closure of the sale.”