New Piinu Nuuchi Travel Center to undergo renovations
Ignacio’s iconic Thriftway gas station and mini mart has already begun to take on a newer, more modern look in recent weeks. Aging fuel pumps have already been replaced with state-of-the-art touchscreens and the familiar green and white Sinclair branding. This is just one facet of a $2 million overhaul of the entire facility that will take place over the course of the four to five months, including a full renovation of the existing building and paved parking areas.
“The Tribe negotiated a new long-term lease and Thriftway did put forth the proposal to invest in the facility in exchange for a longer lease,” said Colton Black, the Tribe’s Economic Development Manager for the Permanent Fund. “[The Tribe negotiated for a] 1.8-million-dollar renovation of the interior, basically the whole store is getting gutted and remodeled.”
The initiative came from the Tribe’s Economic Development office who worked closely with Mead Harbison, Business Development Specialist from the Southern Ute Growth Fund, Senior Tribal Attorney, James Washinawatok with the Tribe’s Legal Department and Bob Moss, President of Thriftway.
“They [Thriftway] originally pitched it as a Dino Mart, but the Tribe wanted a more culturally representative look to the facility – we asked them for a few design options, which were then vetted through Culture,” Black said. The Tribe’s Cultural Preservation Department also requested that the gas station now be named the Piinu Nuuchi Travel Center, with a more traditional spelling of Pino Nuche.
“For the most part Thriftway has moved most of their marketing to Sinclair – nationwide,” Black said.
“There may be some closures, including interior closures,” he said referring to the construction and paving, which will be completed in phases to continue offering services to customers throughout the renovation project.
Some of the new amenities include: Larger modern multi-stall restrooms, a walk-in beer cave, improved food offerings, and new seating areas. The modern fuel pumps feature full length (Tamper proof) touch screen displays with added security. Parking areas will be completely repaved, following the installation of new underground fuel tanks in the spring, which will be the final step.
The Sinclair, situated on tribal property, is just one of two fueling stations in the Town of Ignacio and immediate vicinity. Fuel pricing at this location will remain tied to the market price, based on regional trends. The renovation project was approved by Southern Ute Tribal Council via resolution on July 25, 2023.