VERC Enterprises (http://vercenterprises.com), a leading convenience store and Mobil/Gulf gasoline operator with locations throughout Eastern and Central Massachusetts and New Hampshire, has added three locations to date in 2019, bringing the total number of stores under the VERC banner to 31. Their latest locations are in Pembroke, MA, Westminster, MA and Salem, NH.
Pembroke, MA
VERC Enterprises earlier this year added the Gulf station located at 226 Church Street (Route 139), Pembroke, to the family. The location has been operating and serving the region for 40 years. Presently, it includes a very small convenience store with MA Inspection Station.
Leo Vercollone, Chief Executive Officer of VERC Enterprises, said that the location will remain as a Gulf station, and that their future plans are to expand the convenience store portion of the business and build a complete store similar to their other locations, subject to town approval. For the present, the store will continue as it has for the last four decades. This is the second location in Pembroke for VERC Enterprises, which owns and operates a Mobil station less than a quarter mile east of their newest Pembroke store.
Westminster, MA
Recently, VERC Enterprises announced the acquisition of an Irving station, located at 21 Village Inn Road (off Route 2) in Westminster. Megan Newcomb will serve as Team Leader. All employees of the former Irving station will remain under the new ownership and are “welcomed to the VERC family,” said Vercollone. This addition strengthens the company’s presence in Central MA, with locations also in Fitchburg, Marlborough, and Bellingham. With this acquisition, VERC did not buy the real estate but took over the business operation.
Salem, NH
And for VERC customers who travel across the state line on Route 93, the latest acquisition will make you feel like you’re not too far from home. VERC recently added the Gulf station, located at 135 South Broadway in Salem, New Hampshire, to its family of stores. Mike Phaneuf will serve as Team Lead. All employees at the station will remain under the new ownership, and the company plans an expanded product line at the location. Hours of operation at the VERC Salem Gulf are Monday to Thursday, 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Friday, 5:00 a.m. to midnight; Saturday, 6:00 a.m. to midnight; and Sunday, 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The Salem store is VERC’s third New Hampshire location, the company operates stores in Manchester and Nashua as well.
The future?
“We’re far from done with expansion plans,” said Vercollone, adding, “2019 has been a strong year of growth for us. It’s the most expansion we’ve done at any period in our history.” He continued, “We are always on the lookout for good, strategic locations that we believe will serve our customers.” He said that he anticipates another addition (or two) before the end of the year.
In reflecting on the firm’s rapid growth (VERC Enterprises is frequently listed in the Boston Business Journal’s list of “Fastest Growing Businesses,” he attributed it to a variety of factors, including a strong and committed workforce. “We are a people first organization, and for an organization to grow and thrive it must have the right workforce. We do! And it’s reflected in our very low turnover rate for our industry,” he said. “We have a 28% turnover in an industry where the average is 118%. We support and empower our team, promote from within, and work with a number of area organizations to fulfill our mission of having at least 20% of our workforce come from the IDD (Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled) community.”
About VERC Enterprises
VERC Enterprises is a leading, independent chain of convenience stores and gasoline stations, with locations throughout Eastern Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The company began 50 years ago with a single car wash in Marshfield, MA. The original business was founded by Eugene Vercollone. Today, the business remains under family ownership, with Mr. Vercollone’s sons Leo and Paul serving as CEO and Senior Vice President, respectively. Longtime VERC team member Jim Fitzgerald serves as the company’s President. With more than 350 employees, VERC is a leader in hiring individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and has more than 20 % of its workforces comprised of IDD (Intellectually/
VERC Enterprises Awards and Recognitions
- Boston Business Journal Book of Lists, Area’s Largest Family Owned Businesses, multiple years
- Exemplary Employer, Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (2017)
- Employer of the Year, ARC (2017)
- Operator of the Year (single location), New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association (2017)
- Leo Vercollone, keynote speaker (2016), Diversity in Workforce, Family Business Association
- Franciscan Leadership Award, Cardinal Cushing Centers (2015)
- Employer of the Year, MAPSE (Massachusetts Association of People Supporting Employment First), 2013
- Central Middlesex Area Department of Developmental Services recognition for work with IDD (2013)
- MetroWest Work Opportunities Coalition, Accommodation Award (2013)
- Grand Spirit Award, Convenience Store Decisions Magazine, for social media
- Grand Spirit Award, Convenience Store News,
- Distinguished Citizen Award, ARC (2010)
