North Corbin Pilot Travel Center cuts ribbon after major renovation

Corbin Independent Schools received a $20,000 grant check during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday morning to celebrate completion of a remodel project of Pilot in north Corbin, which was the company’s first-ever travel center.

Corbin Mayor Suzie Razmus, Corbin Superintendent Dave Cox and other local dignitaries were on hand for a ribbon cutting Friday to celebration the renovation of Pilot.

Corbin Superintendent Dave Cox said that the funding would go towards the Corbin Career Center, which will open next month and provide vocational classes in carpentry and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC).

“We had been in conversations for a good bit. It was the easiest (grant) process that I have been through,” Cox said. “The grant actually doubled. When we applied for the grant it was a $10,000 reward. Then I received a phone call from Pilot and they decided to up the grant to $20,000.”

The remodel is part of Pilot’s nationwide ‘New Horizons’ initiative, which is a $1 billion, three-year project to fully remodel more than 400 Pilot and Flying J travel centers and marks the company’s most significant investment in store modernization to date.

“Given the historical significance of this location and our long-time presence in the community, it is especially exciting to celebrate the renovation of this Pilot travel center with the people of Corbin and the travelers we serve every day,” said Allison Cornish, vice-president of store modernization. “These improvements are made with both our team members and guests in mind, incorporating their feedback to introduce new food options and improve the overall store experience.” 

Shannon Stone, a senior manager for store modernization, said that Pilot took feedback from gas customers, professional drivers and team members and incorporated that in the upgrades.

The store, which is located at 249 West Cumberland Gap Parkway, received an overhaul from curb to counter.

It features an upgraded deli with additional grab-and-go items, like sandwiches, salads and fresh cut fruit, an expanded beverage selection and four new self-checkouts for a quicker shopping experience.

“Also, we still have cashiers up here to help guests. It is all based on how fast they want their visit to be,” Stone said. “We have a lot of enhanced technology here.”

Stone noted that perhaps the biggest changes guests will notice are the improved new restrooms and shower facilities.

Burrito Junction

One major change for the store is that the Subway restaurant, which had been located inside store for 40 years, has been replaced with a new quick-serve restaurant, Burrito Junction, which offers customizable ‘make it your way’ burritos, tacos and salad bowl meals, kid’s meals and even breakfast.

Jamie King, senior director for food and beverage for Pilot Flying J, noted that Burrito Junction is an original restaurant that Pilot developed for its travel centers.

King said that the company has spent the last 25 months working on this Tex-Mex concept.

Over the course of talking to store workers and guests, King noted that the company learned that guests want other options besides just cold sandwiches.

“Burrito Junction inspired us to kind of think about burritos, tacos and bowls. It is really easy with a lot of flair. Whether you want a shredded beef brisket or a ground beef taco or a smoked chicken bowl, you have a lot of variety here and the ability to customize it and make it your own,” King added.

Chamber plaque presented

Also, during Friday’s ribbon cutting ceremony, Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce President Bruce Carpenter presented Pilot with its chamber membership plaque.

Corbin Mayor Suzie Razmus added that it exciting to have Pilot as part of the community.

“You all have been here a long time and have been a great asset to our community and all of the people that get off this interstate. We so appreciate you all and look forward to a bright future,” Razmus noted. “Thank you for the investment in our community. We so appreciate it.”