Roberts and Hatchett Properties expands holdings in Kilgore

The company that owns Gateway Travel Plaza on Hwy. 42 at I-20 has expanded its holdings with the recent acquisition of the Exxon gas station and mini-mart across the street.

Dr. Jerry Ted Roberts, one of the owners of Roberts and Hatchett Properties, said the acquisition of the 5-acre property, located at 4312 Hwy. 42 North, occurred on Oct. 15.

“We had been talking to Holly Mart, Inc., owners of the property, earlier in the year,” said Roberts. “This was a good business decision for both parties.”

Roberts said Holly Mart owns a number of storage facilities in Longview and the owners are not from this area.

“For us it was the idea of being able to transfer their customers just across the street to our new truck plaza and our Denny’s restaurant,” said Roberts. “We are not totally sure of what the building will become, but we would like to lease it, possibly to an oilfield company.”

He said the building could easily be renovated and it includes a full kitchen which could be left intact or the equipment could be sold.

Roberts said the main reason for the acquisition of the property is to accommodate overflow truck parking from Gateway Travel Plaza and for the Denny’s that is presently under construction.

“We have room to expand in the back of the truck plaza, but this takes care of the problem,” said Roberts. “At night, right now, our truck parking is full.”

An RV park is also being considered by Roberts as an addition to the truck plaza.

“Originally I was hoping Denny’s would be open by the end of the year, but with all the rain it looks like the restaurant will be open toward the middle of January,” said Roberts.