Texarkana, Texas, will soon be home to two new Road Runner locations.
The two current ones as well as all remaining Road Runner stores, are under the ownership of Coulson Oil. Road Runner, a brand that used to number in the hundreds of stores mostly in the southwestern United States, has dwindled to a handful of stores. That number will increase by two in September in Texarkana.
"The Road Runner brand last was owned by Truman Arnold Co.," said John Harris, president and chief executive officer of Coulson Oil. "We bought the brand four years ago from TAC."
Harris, who went to work for Coulson Oil 10 years ago and became president/CEO four years ago, made the decision to buy Road Runner from TAC about the same time he took charge of the company.
"Road Runner was started in Texarkana," said Harris. "This is the brand's original home. I'm also originally from this area, so to bring back the brand is a bit personal for me."
Road Runner right now is 11 stores in Arkansas and three in Texas. Texarkana will be the starting point of the brand's rebirth and new expansion. The coming interstate intersections here are also a key part of why Texarkana is the launching point of Road Runner's new beginning.
"The Texarkana expansion was always in the back of our minds," said Harris. "The brand was acquired by Coulson Oil to give us a recognized brand through which to compete in the retail environment."
Coulson Oil is a multifaceted enterprise, with 43 different companies operating under it. They specialize in transportation equipment, fuel and related products that involve transportation and logistics. Their major presence is in Arkansas and their corporate headquarters is in North Little Rock.
"We needed an outlet for our products," Harris said. He adds the Road Runner move was also spurred on by some out-of- state companies with similar business angles that were starting to make inroads into Arkansas.
The new Texarkana Road Runner stores will both be located on the Texas side, at 1632 Richmond Road and 4603 W. Seventh St. respectively. Mayor Bob Bruggeman confirmed that the City Council approved of the site plans for Road Runner construction at this past Monday's city meeting.
Ground will be broken in May and the stores will open for business in September.
"I would certainly say the city has been gracious to work with," Harris said. "They've been receptive and welcoming. The area is growing. I'm from this area and I want to do what I can to help see it grow."