Love’s adds new store, 63 parking spots in Louisiana

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Love’s Travel Stops is adding more services in Louisiana with the opening of a new location in New Iberia, just south of Lafayette off Highway 90, according to a March 20 press release.

The company’s 656th travel stop has 63 total truck parking spaces, six diesel bays, five showers, laundry facilities and a CAT scale. Its 85 employees will staff Love’s Fresh Kitchen concept, Godfather’s Pizza and Dunkin’ in addition to store retail operations. 

If there’s demand, Love’s said the new site also has space allocated for EV chargers, noting it will partner with local utilities to install chargers. Notably, the Oklahoma City-based company was awarded $83 million for the construction of chargers in 13 states in 2024, and it’s installing fast chargers in eight states this year. 

With its latest expansion, Love’s now has 10 travel stops in Louisiana, according to its website. New Iberia is the company’s second location to open in 2025, following the opening of a travel stop in Elliston, Virginia, in January.

“This year, we’re excited to introduce new and updated locations, innovative food and drinks and continued improvement of the services and amenities we offer,” said Shane Wharton, president of Love’s, in a January press release. “With our continued focus on the evolving needs of customers, we’re confident we’ll provide an even better experience across our network in 2025.”

In total, Love’s expects to construct 20 new stores and remodel 50 others as part of its Strategic Remodel Initiative in 2025, adding 1,000 new truck parking spaces to its network in the process. By 2035, the company anticipates that half of its nationwide locations will be newly constructed or remodeled — based on foot traffic, sales and store age — as it invests $1 billion in the effort.

“Being strategic with how we update existing locations — and keeping them open during the process — strengthens Love’s commitment to getting customers back on the road quickly,” said Randy Swain, director of construction and remodels for Love’s, in a 2023 release

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