Blaine becoming a (fast) food mecca

Ben’s Markets, an Eastern Washington state-based convenience store and gas station operator will be opening a combo truck stop/Tesla supercharging site/convenience store and fast-food outlets on Boblett Street on the old Blaine airport site. The company’s website shows a store opening count-down clock with an estimated opening date of December 1.

In November 2021, Ben’s Markets bought four Yorky’s gas stations from the Yorkston Oil Company in Blaine and Bellingham. Yorkston also owned Boblett Properties located on the airport land which the city of Blaine held a Right of First Purchase (RFP) agreement if Yorkston wanted to sell it to another party. Under the RFP, the city could buy the property at a pre-determined price. The city saw the new owners as interested in actively developing the land, and were better positioned to do so sooner, then-city manager Michael Jones said in a phone interview with The Northern Light.

The new Ben’s Market Travel America truck stop will open across the street from the old Yorky’s station and will include a Carl’s Jr burger joint, a Cinnabon, a Jamba Juice and a Pizza Hut.

Other than the five in Blaine and Bellingham, Ben’s Markets owns 12 other outlets in Cle Elum, Ellensburg, Quincy, Ephrata, Coulee Dam and Grand Coulee. The company prides itself on its technical prowess, clean facilities, and “a seamless and efficient experience for all [its] customers.” The company is owned by Ben Yoshi. Ben’s Truck Stop received its certificate of formation from the Washington State Secretary of State on October 7.

The four new food outlets join McDonalds, Taco Bell, Burger King, Subway, Westside Pizza and Teriyaki Secrets all in the immediate area.