Work on former Swansea CVS conversion nears summer opening. Here’s the latest
Construction continues at the former CVS Pharmacy at 1803 N. Illinois St. in Swansea, where owner Didi Patel is converting the building into a gas station, convenience store, gaming area and restaurant.
Royals Market is now targeting a July opening after months of progress on plumbing, exterior work and interior buildout.
Here are key takeaways:
- The development will include a gas station, Royals Market convenience store, video gaming and an on-site restaurant called The Taco Spot, which has locations in Missouri, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Utah and West Virginia.
- Owner Didi Patel said the exterior is finished and interior work is in full swing, with coolers installed and kitchen equipment still pending for a hoped-for July opening at the former CVS site.
- Underground fuel tanks were planned as a 10-foot by 38-foot, 22,000-gallon split tank holding 12,000 gallons of regular unleaded, 5,000 gallons of premium and 5,000 gallons of diesel, according to state fire marshal records.
- The canopy above the gas pumps is up and Phillips-66 signage has been installed.
- Didi Patel and business partner Keyur Patel operate multiple businesses across Illinois and Missouri, including Royals Liquor convenience stores, and have three Royals Market gas stations in the works.
- As of late April, underground plumbing installation was underway, according to a progress report from Swansea Building and Zoning Director Dan Thomas.
- An earlier proposal by Patel for a similar gas station and convenience store at 847 N. Green Mount Road in Shiloh was withdrawn after resident opposition, and Patel said the Shiloh project is no longer being pursued.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
Jennifer Green
Belleville News-Democrat