As this growing convenience store chain expanded with a brand-new location, they had a unique advantage: the opportunity to design their refrigerated merchandising space from the ground up. Rather than working around an existing footprint, every square foot could be optimized to improve product visibility, customer flow, and merchandising opportunities.
Working alongside the project team, Leer designed a custom L-shaped walk-in cooler that became a centerpiece of the store’s beverage department. Measuring approximately 34 feet on one leg and 37 feet on the other, with each section spanning roughly 10 feet in width, the cooler was engineered to maximize refrigerated display space while integrating seamlessly into the store’s overall layout.
Constructed with durable Wood Rail panels featuring 4-inch insulation and 26-gauge stucco-embossed galvanized steel on the interior and exterior, the walk-in provides the durability and energy efficiency needed for high-volume retail environments. One side features a run of nine glass reach-in doors, while the adjoining section includes five additional glass reach-in doors, creating an expansive refrigerated display that encourages impulse purchases and makes product selection easy for customers.
Anchoring the design is a dedicated walk-in beer cave located at the end of the cooler. Entered through two glass walk-through doors, the beer cave creates an immersive shopping experience while offering significant refrigerated storage behind the scenes. To create a brighter, more inviting retail environment, the interior of the beer cave was finished with 26-gauge white stucco-embossed galvanized steel, enhancing product visibility and showcasing beverages in an attractive, well-lit space.
Projects like this showcase what’s possible when refrigeration is considered early in the design process. Whether building a new convenience store, grocery store, or retail beverage center, Leer partners with customers to create custom walk-in solutions that enhance merchandising, improve operations, and deliver an exceptional shopping experience from day one.
