A crew working on the Sheetz fuel center and convenience store in Fraser this week installed a facade that was preserved from a historic bank on the property where the project is being built.

The facade was part of the former State Bank of Fraser, which stood for decades at the southwest corner of Utica and 14 Mile roads. The long-vacant building was demolished in 2025 to make way for an $8 million Sheetz, which is nearing completion.

Officials with the Altoona, Pa.-based company agreed to preserve the facade as a way to honor the history of the bank site while building something that serves the community’s future.

“The State Bank of Fraser building holds a special place in this community’s history, and we wanted to honor that,” Sheetz public affairs manager Nick Ruffner told the Macomb Daily in an email.

“We made a deliberate decision to preserve the original bank facade as part of our development, along with a sizable amount of green space and landscaping to further enhance the surrounding area. We feel these touches make our Fraser location something truly unique.”

A construction crew works on a driveway leading into the Sheetz fuel center in Fraser. Company officials expect the store to open later this month. (MITCH HOTTS -- THE MACOMB DAILY)
A construction crew works on a driveway leading into the Sheetz fuel center in Fraser. Company officials expect the store to open later this month. (MITCH HOTTS — THE MACOMB DAILY)

As part of its commitment to working closely with the city of Fraser and its residents, Sheetz has made a number of enhancements to the project, including incorporating part of the former State Bank of Fraser building into the facade, additional landscaping, and a traffic-calming median at the site entrance.

Sheetz agreed to build a 3,000-square-foot public park overlooking a detention pond and add a historical pedestrian plaza that will include a monument to commemorate the bank. The park will include picnic tables, trash receptacles, shade trees, and ornamental planting.

Additionally, Sheetz will contribute $50,000 to the city for road improvement efforts.

A man watching the construction earlier this week said he agreed with Sheetz’s decision to honor the bank’s past.

“That’s a great thing to do,” said the man, who said he used to work in construction but declined to identify himself. “I think it will look pretty nice when the facade is finished. They still have to put a new top on it.”

Records show the 11,500-square-foot building was initially constructed in 1910 and underwent a remodeling in 1975. Over the years it was occupied by the State Bank of Fraser, PNC Bank and others.

Ruffner said he anticipates ongoing construction of the Fraser Sheetz will be finished later this month, when a grand opening will be announced.

Company representatives said the Fraser store is part of Sheetz’s larger plan to open 50-60 stores across southeast Michigan, including seven in Macomb County. The Macomb locations include Eastpointe, Macomb Township, Shelby Township, and Warren.

Each store is expected to employ at least 30 people, many of which are full-time, creating more than 400 new jobs across the region.