Canter’s Deli Operator Plans High-End Gas Station On Santa Monica Boulevard

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — The fourth-generation operator behind Canter’s Deli is turning his attention from pastrami sandwiches to gas pumps.

Alex Canter, whose family has operated the Los Angeles deli institution since 1931, is planning Maggie’s Refuel, a high-end gas station and convenience store concept expected to open its first location in the Los Angeles area, according to reports.

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The first Maggie's location is planned for Beverly Hills and is set to open within the next year, according to the California Post.

The location is likely the iconic 76 station at Santa Monica Boulevard and Crescent Drive. Maggie's posted a photo of the historic Googie-style station in Instagram last week, noting that its first location would open "soon-ish."

The concept is named after Canter’s French bulldog mix and has raised $2 million in pre-seed funding from Matchstick Ventures, Mucker Capital and Everywhere Ventures, according to the publication Finally Offline.

Maggie’s will convert existing gas stations rather than build from scratch, with stores expected to run about 2,000 square feet. The company plans to pair convenience store staples such as Diet Coke, Peanut M&M’s and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos with locally sourced pastries, elevated soft-serve and electric vehicle chargers, the Post reported.

Canter told CSP Daily News that he sees an opportunity to make convenience stores feel more like places customers want to explore.

“We see an opportunity to create something that’s very exciting, and something that people will want to go in and discover new treats and treat themselves,” Canter told the publication. “Hospitality is in my blood. I’m a big foodie.”

Canter previously co-founded the virtual restaurant company Nextbite, which he sold to hospitality investor Sam Nazarian in 2023. Maggie’s advisors include Jim Keyes, former president and CEO of 7-Eleven, and Meredith Sandland, a former Starbucks executive vice president and chief development officer, according to Finally Offline.

The concept draws inspiration from Japan’s 7-Eleven culture, Italy’s Autogrill and the now-closed Foxtrot Market, the Post reported.