When QuikTrip opens its next Broken Arrow store in 2008, it will mark the company's first new venture in the city this millennium.

The Tulsa-based convenience store chain's new location will occupy the southeast corner of Kenosha Street and Elm Place and officials hope to open it in April. QuikTrip Corp. operates six locations in Broken Arrow, the last one opening in 1999. "It's been several years - too many years," said Mike Thornbrugh, the company's manager of public and government affairs.

Construction on the 4,600-square-foot facility will begin once building permits are approved. "We're ready to push dirt. (The permits are) all we're waiting on," Thornbrugh said. At one time it was uncertain whether the company would expand further in the city. Company officials make no secret of their past difficulties working with Broken Arrow city officials, but with changes to city government over the last four years, those days are happily behind them, Thornbrugh said.

"Currently the city is doing a pretty good job. They are very easy to approach," he said, adding that the former problems, which involved regulatory hurdles, have been smoothed out. City officials said they are in the final stage of approving the permits for the new project. "We are reviewing final plans and working closely with their consultant. Things should take on speed at the beginning of the year," Development Services Director Michael Skates said.

QuikTrip Officials promise the new store will make an attractive fit for the corner. The company spends more than $50,000 a year at each location on landscaping and maintenance, ensuring a tidy, well-kept appearance, the company Web site says. The store will offer nine fuel pumps, accommodating up to 18 cars at the same time, officials said.

Thornbrugh said the company would continue to scout future locations in Broken Arrow and throughout the area. "We're really in expansion mode right now, primarily for our Phoenix and Dallas-Fort Worth markets. But even though we consider the Tulsa area a mature market, meaning we're well established here, there will still be many opportunities to build new stores," he said.

The company operates nearly 500 stores in eight states. Broken Arrow officials say the new store will fit well at the intersection. "With the high traffic volume at Elm and Kenosha, this is one of our city's most visible intersections," Skates said, "We are thrilled to have such a well-respected company call it home."