Love’s Truck Stop Adding Kalamazoo Travel Center [Photos]

D Ave. is about to get more Love as the gas station is adding its eighth Michigan fuel stop and travel center. 

Love's may seem like an odd name for a gas station chain, but it's a family name. The franchise was founded by Tom & Judy Love in Oklahoma in 1964 as a convenience store with self-serve gasoline. They added an in-store deli counter to make fresh sandwiches as the company expanded across Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. They continued to add inventory for sale, food options and services for truckers and the empire has grown to more than 520 travel centers in 41 states.

Until now, the closest Love's in Southwest Michigan is the one at Exit 112 off I-94 near Marshall, just East of Battle Creek. The Kalamazoo facility is under construction now at D Ave. and US-131. They've been working for quite some time, with no official opening date announced yet. The Marshall location is also home to a Hardee's restaurant and many Love's have a fast food franchises or restaurants on the premises. There has been much speculation that the McDonald's currently in the Citgo across the street will be moving into the new Love's on the South side of D Ave. Word is that Citgo will then get a Subway sandwich shop.

Whatever happens, everyone gets another option to fuel up before heading North on 131 without the traffic on West Main.