DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) — A Georgia-based convenience store and gas station chain could soon begin construction on a long-awaited central Ohio location.

RaceTrac is readying to build another Ohio store along U.S. 36/State Route 37 at Davidson Lane in Delaware after the city’s planning commission recommended approval on Feb. 5 of the site’s final plat, which calls for a right-of-way extending Davidson Lane and an easement for drainage. Once completed, the location will mark RaceTrac’s second in the state after the first opened last December in Findlay.

The Delaware gas station has been in development for several years, having received unanimous approval from city council in August 2023 when it was believed the Davidson Lane store could be Ohio’s first. The planning commission joked during the Feb. 5 meeting that “RaceTrac obviously doesn’t build as fast as Sheetz,” with one member referring to the chain as “SlowTrac.”

Another Delaware official noted that RaceTrac’s engineering plans are currently under review and said the Davidson Lane store has been delayed given adjustments needed to be made to the property before construction could begin, like adding a drainage pond.

Plans call for RaceTrac’s Delaware footprint to include a 6,008 square-foot convenience store accompanied by eight traditional fueling islands, diesel fueling islands and 34 parking spaces. When the chain introduced the proposal in early 2023, a spokesperson said “RaceTrac believes [central Ohio’s] diverse population, along with the growth in commuting and mobile workplaces, is a natural fit for its stores.”

While RaceTrac has yet to announce any additional Ohio locations, Franklin County Auditor’s Office records show that the company recently purchased 16 acres at the corner or South High Street and Rathmell Road and 10 acres at Alum Creek Drive north of Rickenbacker Airport.

Headquartered in Atlanta, RaceTrac has been operating since 1934 and has grown to more than 580 locations across states like Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas. Each storefront is stocked with beverages, snacks, Swirl World frozen desserts, coffee and more.