Sulphur, Louisiana - After a four-year closure following hurricane damage, a familiar Sulphur convenience store location is getting a second life under new branding.
The former Shop Rite convenience store at the intersection of East Napoleon Street and Beglis Parkway in Sulphur is preparing to reopen as Gator Fuel Stop, according to a liquor license application filed with the City of Sulphur.
The original Shop Rite location had been shuttered since 2020 when Hurricanes Laura and Delta caused significant damage to the building. Prior to closing, the location had operated as a 24-hour convenience store for much of its history, featuring a full-service deli that offered fried foods, burgers, breakfast sandwiches and other short-order items around the clock.
In its final years of operation as Shop Rite, both the store and deli had reduced their hours, with food service primarily available during daytime hours.
While specific details about the reopening timeline and whether the location will continue to offer deli service were unavailable at the time this was published, visible renovation work on the building and the recent liquor license application suggest the opening may be approaching.
The revival of this corner store location represents a small but notable recovery milestone for Sulphur's business community following the devastating 2020 hurricane season.