It's been more than a decade since Mark Whitehead built a new U-Stop convenience store in a new location.
That one, at 21st and K streets, was highly controversial and took years to get approved, even surviving a mayoral veto.
The fight over that store, which opened in 2009, didn't necessarily sour him on more stores in Lincoln; he just hadn't seen the right opportunity since then.
Come early January, U-Stop will open a store at 6930 S. 73rd St., in a new development just east of the Home Depot store at 70th Street and Nebraska 2.
"It's an area of town that we think is suitable for a new location," said Whitehead, who owns Whitehead Oil Co., the parent company of U-Stop.
The site is nearly a mile away from any other convenience store, with the closest ones being near 87th Street and Nebraska 2 and 56th Street and Old Cheney Road.
The new location will be Whitehead's largest U-Stop store, not counting the location in Hickman, which is actually a small grocery store. It's also going to be "far and away the nicest store we have done," he said.
In addition to the typical convenience store products and services, the store will have a restaurant -- called Jeannie's Kitchen (named after Whitehead's mom) -- and a tunnel car wash.
"Our goal here is to have this be a U-Stop that would be the best option for anyone looking for a convenience store in the market," he said.
The new, larger design is a concept that he believes can be duplicated for future stores, two of which are tentatively planned.
Whitehead said he has plans to put a modern, larger store near the 56th Street exit on Interstate 80 and another U-Stop near West Denton Road and U.S. 77, although he did not provide a timetable for those plans.
For now, though, he'll concentrate on opening the new U-Stop, which will be the first business to open at the development.
Two others are coming later: a Taco Bell and a new location for the Nebraska Pain Institute.
Dr. C. Weston Whitten of the Nebraska Pain Institute said plans are to start construction as soon as the ground thaws.
Construction should take about 14 months.
"We picked this location for ease of access for our patients. As our practice continues to grow, we continue to serve people further and further away," Whitten said. Nebraska Pain Institute is currently based near 84th Street and Pioneers Boulevard.
Taco Bell filed a building permit for the new location last month.
Top Journal Star photos for November
Top Journal Star photos for November
Maison Burnley of the Slim Chickens softball team gets in a session of batting practice in preparation for a spring league season on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in the late afternoon at Holmes Lake Park. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for November
Gustavo Torres, a worker with Pronto Turf, pours gravy on his Thanksgiving meal during a lunch break at Northeast High School, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. Torres and six other workers from western states have been working over Thanksgiving to prepare the artificial turf at the high school practice field, and an anonymous donor catered the dinner as a surprise gift. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Alex Andrade (left) of Billy's Restaurant works swiftly to add items to their to-go Thanksgiving meals on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020. Andrade said they will be preparing over 200 to-go meals over the next two days for families to enjoy. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
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Nebraska takes on McNeese State without fans on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
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Cathy Goldman (left), a paraeducator at Elliott Elementary, looks on as her mother Margaret Elley prepares dinner, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Goldman previously contracted COVID-19 and now keeps a distance whenever she is in a room with her elderly parents. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Nebraska State Capitol is seen lit in blue for "Public Health Thank You Day" on Nov. 23
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November
Jerry McDonald uses a leaf blower to clear derbies from his rental property on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
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Lauren Brown walks her dogs - two golden retrievers and a Collie, along the shore of Holmes Lake on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020. The sun will stay with Lincoln for most of the week, with temperature forecasted to reach 70 degrees on Thursday, according to National Weather Service. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Chairs for the public at the City Council meeting are seen wrapped up in plastic bags to encourage social distancing on Nov. 23 at the County-City Building.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November
Hay bales are seen in this photo taken on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020, near Benedict, Neb. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Tyrus Whittle (left) prepares to touch tackle Harlem McGinnis during a late afternoon game of football with their friends on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020, at Peter Pan Park. Tuesday's moderate temperatures made for perfect fall sports weather and it continues for the next few days. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
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=DeEtta Mayrose (right) greeted employees arriving for an evening shift of Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, during a Thank-You event for health care workers at Bryan Medical Center - West Campus. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for November
Scott Nash of Lincoln executes a "no-foot, layback air" during an unseasonably warm day on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, at Peter Pan Park. Today was the day to be out-and about as temperatures are forecasted to be much lower in the week to come. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
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A pass to Omaha Westside's Koby Bretz (25) is defended by Elkhorn South's Trevor Winterstein (1) in the first quarter on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, during a Class A state final playoff game at Omaha Westside High School. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
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Ord's Kelen Meyer (2) gets a celebratory hug from teammate Quinton Ries (6) after winning the Class C-2 state football championship at Heedum Field on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, in Fremont. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
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BDS's Dalton Kleinschmidt makes a catch next to Sandhills/Thedford's Reece Zutavern (24) during Class D-2 state championship game on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November
BDS's Easton Weber fights for yardage as he is tackled by Sandhills/Thedford's Reed McFadden (left) in the Class D-2 state championship game on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November
Sandhills/Thedford fans line the field to watch the Class D-2 state championship game against BDS on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November
A lone University of Nebraska-Lincoln prepares for a final with a start time of 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, at Henzlik Hall. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for November
The WWII section in Veterans Memorial Memorial Garden on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
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Lincoln East High School Principal Sue Cassata (center) talks with students Samantha Knuth (left) and McKenna Grass, on Nov. 9, 2020.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star file photo
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Vehicles cross the railroad tracks on South 84th Street south of Nebraska 2 on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November
Governor Pete Ricketts appears via television screen to deliver his coronavirus briefing on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. The governor and his wife are currently in quarantine after coming in close contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
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Cyclists make use of the bike trails that which run through Van Dorn Park on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for November
Jadon Kroeten prepares a pizza for takeout at Yia Yia's on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers out onto a nearly empty stadium before taking on Penn State on Nov. 14 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Top Journal Star photos for November
Husker fan cutouts fill the North Stadium stands before the team takes on Penn State on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for November
Kathryn Goertzen and Kurt Goertzen watch the television screen on the northwest side of Memorial Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November
Nebraska inside linebacker Luke Reimer celebrates beating Penn State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November
Wahoo's Elle Glock (left) holds aloft the championship trophy with teammate Taylor Luben after they defeated St. Paul in five sets during the final of the Class C-1 state volleyball tournament on Saturday, Nov. 7 2020, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for November
Hold Fast Kat (left), ridden by Tara Hynes, battles for position against Final Affair, ridden by Jake Olesiak, on final day of live horse racing at the Lincoln Race Course on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November
With flags supporting President Donald Trump and a loud speaker on his backpack, Wyatt McGinty, 15, circles his bicycle in front of a group of Joe Biden supporters rallying on North Sixth Street, Monday, Nov. 2, 2020. About a dozen Biden supporters gathered to support the Democratic presidential candidate, with slightly more supporters of President Donald Trump circled the street with Trump flags by their cars and trucks. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Voters wait in line at Humann Elementary School to check in and fill out their ballots in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November
Molly Dickinson, who traveled to the polling place at "J" Township Town Hall on her horse Earl, leaves after voting, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry speaks during Lancaster County Republican election watch party, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, at Embassy Suites. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November
Mitch Sweeney sprays the seats during cleaning in between state volleyball tournament games on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November
Shy, a 2-year-old rescue dog, looks on as Deb DeFruiter of Lincoln (center left) and Carol Wheeler of Auburn (center right) gather at an animal welfare protest outside Nebraska State Office Building, Friday, Nov. 6, 2020. Organizers rallied to support Rick Herchenbach, a state employee who claimed the Nebraska Department of Agriculture has failed to regulate cat and dog breeders and rescue facilities. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November
Park goers are seen on the new hiker-biker bridge between the Rock Island and Jamaica North trails, Friday, Nov. 6, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November
Lincoln Southeast's Taveon Thompson tackles Elkhorn South's Dilan Krause in the first half during Class A state football quarterfinals, Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, at Seacrest Field. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November
After losing his shoe, Omaha Westside's Koby Bretz dives into the end zone to score a touchdown against Lincoln East during the Class A quaterfinals match on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, at Omaha Westside.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November
CWC's Morgan Ramsey wipes her eyes as she waits to receive runner up medals with her team during the Class D-2 state championship match on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November
Wahoo's Elle Glock (right) leads her teammates as they celebrate their five-set win over St. Paul's during the final of the Class C-1 state volleyball tournament on Saturday, Nov. 7 2020, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for November
Omaha Skutt's Lindsay Krause (27) dives for a kill by Norris' Ella Waters in the third set during the final of the Class B state volleyball tournament on Saturday, Nov. 7 2020, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com .
On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz.
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