If all goes according to plan construction on the roughly 10,000 square foot Love’s Travel Stop could begin in June at the Tower Road Exit off of I-84 near Boardman, and is expected to be opened for business by Spring 2016.
“All of our conditional use permits are complete,” said Kealey Dorian, communication specialist for Love’s Travel Stops. “Where a location fits in with our existing stores is one of the things we look at,” said Dorian. “We have teams of people that look for where there is a need, what type of freight traffic there is, as well as tourism.”
Once complete, the Tower Road Love’s would add at least 50 jobs and as many as 75 to Morrow County.
The project has not been without opposition and has faced zoning challenges as well as legal appeals from another firm worried about the ramifications of having a national chain to compete with.
“This has been in the process for a very long time; 7 years,” said Morrow County Commissioner Leann Rea. “Our suspicion is that it will be appealed again. This is a very large project to go on the tax rolls. I think competition is a good thing, it is what made this country great.”
Love’s was founded in 1964 when Tom Love opened his first store in Watonga, Oklahoma. They now have 340 locations in 40 states, with three in Oregon including Roseburg, Troutdale and Ontario. Tom is still active in the business.
Love’s Travel Stops have snacks, gifts and electronics. The Tower Road Love’s will include a Carl’s Jr. restaurant and a tire shop for commercial trucks.
