"I’m starving! Can we get a snack from Bricks? I’m thirsty! Can we get a slushy from Bricks? Are we gonna stop at Bricks? Can we please, please puh-lease go to Bricks?!” The endless begging and pleading ensue until the car approaches the intersection at 44th and 8th Avenue in Grandville, Michigan. With 20 slushy flavors to choose from, who could blame them.
Locally owned and operated in West Michigan, Bricks Fuel and Market offers on-the-go service, with a fresh daily menu, friendly staff, Marathon gasoline and diesel and three convenient locations (Alto, Campau and Georgetown) for all your stop-and-go essentials.
Not so typical
As their website states, “Bricks was founded by Brad Yonker and Nick Fischer in Alto, MI. Together, Brad and Nick wanted to create a brand of their own with the freedom to sell their favorite foods, and give customers a fresh, convenient, and friendly experience they wanted but were not getting from a typical ‘gas station.’ Being in the industry for years they knew what the public perception was of a ‘convenience store’ or ‘gas station’ and wanted to change that.”
“Taking a suggestion to combine their names, the ‘Bricks’ brand was born, along with a commitment to improve the industry standard by implementing their brand through all areas of business."
Ample elbow room
We all know that feeling. You pull into a small gas station parking lot and, before you know it, you’re stuck in a corner. And the only way out is to make what feels like a ten-point turn—only to leave frustrated, without getting what you originally came for. Not at your local Georgetown Bricks. Your positive experience actually begins as you enter their parking lot. There are spacious parking spots and ample room to pull into a gas pump without feeling crammed.
Need air in or out of your tires? Drive right up to their fully automated air tower and let the machine do the work. By pushing the plus or minus button, the tower can be conveniently set to a designated pressure. No more over or under filling. The tower accepts quarters or, conveniently, even a credit card.
Thoughtful details
The interior of Bricks is open, clean and inviting. White subway tile lines the back walls and black canister pendant lighting hangs down from the tall ceiling—far from your average convenient store that can often be overwhelming, cluttered and sometimes even dirty, messy or smelly.
As you open the tall, glass, black, mullion-framed doors, you’ll find yourself under a gold-framed chandelier suspended just above the entrance. Quite the unexpected detail when buying windshield wiper fluid.
Cozy corner
If you work remotely, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see they have a corner spot designed for their customers to either work from or to stay and chat with others. With plenty of seating options, you can find a cozy spot to sit near their built-in fireplace, perch up at their window ledge to enjoy the natural lighting, or head up to one of their cocktail-height tables. No need to worry about that dreaded “low battery” message popping up on one of your devices either. With plenty of electrical outlets you can recharge at any time. This thoughtful space is a nice balance of form and function.
Built to order your way
When breakfast, lunch or dinner calls, their food selection is made fast but is far from fast food. Bricks Pizza & Mexican is served at both of their Alto and Georgetown locations. Pizzas, tacos, burritos, taco salads, breakfast pizzas, breakfast sandwiches and many other items are fresh and can be made to your liking. You can place your order the old-fashioned way, face to face with one of their employees, or order from one of their self-serve kiosks.
Crém de la Crema
Do they have a personal barista fast talking into the mic on their headset while taking your order? Nope. But their self-serve, full coffee bar does not disappoint. When visiting Bricks, one will be happy to see they have different coffee flavors brewed fresh, right on the spot, via their automated machines. No more settling for that “House Blend” that is burning on a warmer at your average gas station. The flavors to choose from rotate daily and range from Caramel Toffee Nut, Hazelnut Creme, Michigan Sweet Cherry, Big Wave Blend, French Roast Blend and more.
To begin brewing, place your cup under the spout and follow the on-screen instructions—reminiscent to a “choose your own adventure” type book. The touchscreen options allow you to choose the flavor of your beverage, hot or iced, the size of your cup (small medium or large), as well as the option to leave room for cream. Making your way through the prompts, the final message reads, “Meet Crema. It’s the Holy Grail of coffee! Don’t mistake it for cream though. It not only indicates a well-made, high-quality coffee, but also helps to give the beverage a fuller flavor and longer taste. Enjoy!”
As the last few dollops of rich crema froth on top, a plethora of different creamers and syrup flavors await—Peppermint Mocha, Rice Krispie Treats®, Sweet Cream, Hazelnut, Caramel Macchiato creamers to Almond, Toffee Nut, Dark Chocolate, Caramel, Hazelnut and Vanilla syrups. Add in an assortment of bakery goods and your morning just got even sweeter.
Lasting impression
The Bricks obsession doesn’t just stem from snacks, frozen drinks or coffee—other convenient stores have that. It’s because of the positive brand experience that leaves a lasting impression when you step into Bricks. Brad and Nick elevated what is typically the “corner gas station and convenience store” and turned it into a clean, modern fuel and mini market that is thoughtful and well designed.
Bricks is a classy space the whole family will now beg to go to.
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