New Sheetz opens in Seville

SEVILLE — Free coffee and soft drinks as well as Sheetz gift cards ranging in value from $250 to $2,500 were given away to customers as part of a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday for the new Sheetz store in Seville. Sheetz is a nationwide chain of convenience stores and gas stations with more than 60 locations in Ohio. The Seville store is at 360 Center St. Nick Ruffner, public relations manager for Sheetz, said the Seville store is a little bit larger than the typical new stores that have been built, but it still has a lot of the same features, such as made-to-order food and a large gas station. As part of the celebration, $2,500 was donated to both Special Olympics Ohio and the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank. Ruffner said an opening ceremony like the one held Wednesday with lots of people, prizes, speeches and donations is typical for all locations across the country. "We're really happy with Seville coming out to support the new store, and hopefully it's a sign of good things to come, and the store will be super busy all the time," he said. Ashtabula resident Evelyn Pierce-Ruhland decided to go to the event after she stopped by her brother's house and her nephew told her about it. "I said, 'Oh come, I'll take you out. Let's go together,'" she said. "We came out and had a doughnut, coffee and I bought him lunch." Seville Mayor Carol Carter said she is thankful for Sheetz opening in the village. "A lot of people have been to Sheetz. I never did until it came here, and it is unbelievable," she said. "The staff is friendly. I've never seen so many people in one spot with smiles all over their faces as they're waiting to get their food." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.