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3 Bears Alaska begins work on another gas station, grocery store

A crew of Three Bears workers and contractors began work last week at the site of a gas station/convenience store in Delta formerly known as Buffalo Center Service. Initial tasks included site work and affixing new signage for Shell, the oil company that provides fuel for Three Bears gas stations.
Tim Ellis/KUAC
A crew of Three Bears workers and contractors began work last week at the site of a gas station/convenience store in Delta formerly known as Buffalo Service. Initial tasks included site work and affixing new signage for Shell, the oil company that provides fuel for Three Bears gas stations.

Delta Junction project is Wasilla-based company’s 22nd business; work resumes on North Pole retail complex

Three Bears Alaska has begun work at the site of its latest acquisition: The Wasilla-based retail chain is now planning to build a grocery store in Delta Junction.

A Three Bears crew began working last week on the 3.5-acre site in downtown Delta where the Buffalo Center Service gas station/convenience store was located.

Three Bears Vice President for Business Development Joan Travostino says the company intends to demolish a building on the east side of the property this summer and begin work on a 28,000 square foot grocery store there.

Travostino said in an interview Monday that the company also plans to tear down another building on the site that houses the convenience store and garage. Workers also will relocate fuel tanks and gas pumps over to the south side of the property.

She said the company is still developing its plans, so the project timeframe is not yet firm.

When the work is completed, the Three Bears store in Delta will be the company’s 22nd retail outlet. All but one are located in Alaska; that one is in Butte, Montana.

Three Bears has been acquiring new properties around the state ever since the company entered into a deal two years ago with a Seattle-based private-equity firm that provided capital for investment. Last year, Three Bears opened gas station/convenience stores last year in Ester and North Pole.

Meanwhile, the company continues developing a retail complex with a full-service grocery store and other retail outlets off Buzby Drive on the south side of North Pole.

Tim Ellis has been working as a KUAC reporter/producer since 2010. He has more than 30 years experience in broadcast, print and online journalism.