Ribbon Cut for New Narragansett Cumberland Farms

Cumberland Farms has a new look and new concept these days and the latest town to get a taste of the new Cumby’s, as locals call it, is right here in Narragansett.

Where people once practiced their golf swings at the former Narragansett Driving Range, people will now be snacking, slurping and pumping gas at the new Cumberland Farms at 1141 Boston Neck Road.

The new store includes a hot food items menu with pizza, chicken tenders and more. There’s bar and patio seating, ”f’real milkshakes,” and a new vibe that feels more like busy train depot concourse and less convenience store.

There is a big emphasis on hot and prepared foods. Forget about 9-hour-old franks tumbling endlessly on a hot dog warmer. The company is hoping that increasing the quality and variety of the menu (yes, a menu) will generate more sales at single-store locations. The margin for gasoline sales is slim and competition is fierce. And the typical non-redesigned store relies heavily on tobacco sales and relying too much on tobacco sales is a risky proposition as more and more smokers quit and die.

The 4,650 square-foot Narragansett store includes 26 parking spaces, four gas pumps and everything else you’d expect at a gas station or convenience store.

Ari Haseotes, CEO of Cumberland Farms, said that the company has opened or updated 249 stores with the new concept so far. At the same time, the company has donated $400,000 to community organizations. Every new store partners with a local charity for a fundraiser to coincide with the grand opening.

In Narragansett, Quest Montessori School will get 10 cents from all dispensed beverages bought at the store through the end of September.

“As we near the halfway point in our efforts, we could not be happier with the response we’ve received from the community. We’re looking forward to bringing our new stores and menu items to all of the communities where we operate, and to raising even more money for our local partners along the way,” Haseotes said.

Company officials along with Quest Montessori School families gathered at the new store on Thursday for a formal ribbon cutting.

Photos courtesy: Cumberland Farms.