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Ribbon-cutting for Sami Quick Stop, Dunkin' Donuts will be Saturday
By EMMALEE C. TORISK
STRUTHERS
When it officially opens for business Saturday, Sami F. Rafidi’s Sami Quick Stop — a staple of the corner of East Midlothian Boulevard and Youngstown-Poland Road since 1983 — truly will be a one-stop shop.
Rafidi’s $1.8 million investment into the corner property includes not only the expansion and renovation of his convenience store but also the addition of a Dunkin’ Donuts, which had its soft opening this week.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Free slices of Giuseppe’s Pizza — the Cleveland-based pizza chain that now has a location at the store — will be available all day.
“This is a new generation of convenience store,” Rafidi said. “We’re very unlike any of our competition.”
Aside from Giuseppe’s Pizza, Sami Quick Stop boasts a full deli, including hot and cold subs; a growler station that offers fresh craft beer to go in 32- and 64-ounce sizes; and a Coca-Cola Freestyle soda fountain, which allows users to select from more than 100 drink choices.
Rafidi also added to the property a double drive-thru, Valero gas pumps and a minipark, complete with benches, a flagpole and a “Welcome to Struthers” sign.
“This is our contribution to the city,” Rafidi said, noting that he has appreciated the years of support from the loyal, committed people of Struthers. He added that the response so far to the changes has “been phenomenal.”
Combined, Sami Quick Stop and Dunkin’ Donuts are bringing 50 jobs to the city. Rafidi said he’s hard-pressed to think of a larger retail development in Struthers — something its mayor, Terry Stocker, echoed.
Stocker said Sami Quick Stop long has been an anchor on that corner and that Rafidi has done a great job of developing the business into what it is today.
He’d long been looking for more franchise restaurants to come into the city and said Dunkin’ Donuts is a good addition to the Youngstown-Poland Road strip — a mix of new and old businesses.
He’s hopeful that Rafidi’s investing in the city will spur others to do so, as well.
“It’s a lot of money, a lot of investment, and, I think, a lot of happy people,” Stocker said. “I’m happy.”