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The Warrior Express Texaco station near the intersection of Alabama 119 and Thompson Road stands ready to greet customers on the morning of Jan. 9. (Reporter Photo/Neal Wagner)

By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Alabaster’s newest gas station and market was set to open its doors on Alabama 119 on Jan. 9, marking one of the first businesses built along the corridor since the city enacted its 119 overlay district.

The Warrior Express Texaco station was making final preparations for opening on the morning of Jan. 9 before officially opening to customers later the same day.

“I wanted to build something the community can be proud of,” said Alabaster Shane Jones, who owns the store along with his wife, Debra. “We live here. We’re Alabaster residents, so we’ve taken a lot of pride in this.”

The Warrior Express is next to the Hardee’s restaurant near the intersection of Alabama 119 and Thompson Road, and features many design elements to adhere to the overlay district guidelines, such as liberal use of brick and stone façade, decorative landscaping and more. The Texaco gas station includes five dual-sided pumps angled in a manner conducive to the location’s traffic flow, and each pump includes regular, mid-grade, premium, ethanol-free and diesel fuel.

Inside, the market features a Bean River coffee bar including coffees such as dark roast, breakfast blend, Columbian, decaf, southern pecan and house blend, flavored shots for all the coffees, a soda fountain, sweet and unsweet tea and a frozen drink machine under three large flat-screen televisions.

In addition to snacks, automotive supplies and a limited grocery selection, the market also includes an array of bottled drinks, ice and ice cream, a large wine and beer selection – including many craft beers – and refrigerated coffee drinks.

The store also offers wings and Hunt Brothers Pizza, both of which can be delivered to customers through the Waitr service, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, a tobacco selection and more. Jones said the store can accommodate large or small pizza and wing orders, as the location has four ovens on-site.

“You go to so many stores, and the selection is small because they just don’t have the room,” Jones said, noting the Warrior Express building is slightly less than 4,500 square feet. “We reached out to the local breweries and told them ‘You bring what you want to sell, and we will stock it for you.’”

As of Jan. 9, crews were finalizing painting the gas station’s awning, and the store was still awaiting delivery of its Texaco sign – Neither of which Jones would delay the business’s opening.

Because the business was one of the first constructed under the new overlay district guidelines, Jones said the Warrior Express’ construction was a learning experience for everyone involved.

“But I really want to say this: The city has been really helpful,” Jones said. “This is new to everyone in this area, but they did a great job of walking us through everything.”

After opening, the Warrior Express will be open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. To contact the business, call 621-8108.

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