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Sturbridge, MA Truck Stop (Currently Pilot)

Discussion in 'Truck Stops' started by STexan, Jun 9, 2018.

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  1. Jun 9, 2018 #1
    STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Any old school drivers able to provide some historical background on this place?

    When I first began frequenting the New England area back in the early 90s, I guess I never remember stopping in there (or the TA down the road in CT for that matter)

    I'm just curious about it's beginnings. Was it a traveler's rest stop? The now vacant building across from the current fuel store and by the road looks like it was quite a magnificent place, at one time. Was this actually part of a truck stop or was it a nice restaurant or bar where travelers and locals liked to eat?

    The building seems to have held a lot of charm and character and seems such a shame to see it rotting away today.

    Thanks for any feedback.
     
    STexan, Jun 9, 2018
    STexan, Jun 9, 2018
    #1
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  3. Jun 9, 2018 #2
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I remember that place back in the 80's. My memory's a little fuzzy but I remember it being very nice with waterfalls etc. Not your typical truck stop.
     
    Allow Me., Jun 9, 2018
    Allow Me., Jun 9, 2018
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    laaylor Thanks this.
  4. Jun 9, 2018 #3
    navypoppop

    navypoppop Road Train Member

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    And of course it was a very nice truck stop back in the day. Then Pilot decides to take it over and close this once magnificent building and let it go to waste. Wonder why the Pilot owners can't be trusted, just look at the fuel discount scam and you can see why they always mess up a good truck stop when they take over. Flying J's restaurants and Wilco-Hess are 2 good examples also.
     
    navypoppop, Jun 9, 2018
    navypoppop, Jun 9, 2018
    #3
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  5. Jun 9, 2018 #4
    STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    To be fair, whatever was going on with this truck stop back in it's day with that "resort building" could never operate in today's reality.

    I feel sure it's changed hands several times before PFJ bought it. And the main building was probably vacated by one of the previous owners as well.

    But I would have really liked to see it when it was new and fully operational as someone envisioned.

    I'm thinking maybe it was originally built and operated by the state as a "rest area" of sorts. Was that section a toll road at some point? It's sometimes referred to as "Sturbridge Isle".

    Did that building maybe include rooms for rent? Sort of a hostel?
     
    STexan, Jun 9, 2018
    STexan, Jun 9, 2018
    #4
  7. Jun 9, 2018 #5
    kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    They had a restaurant with a small bar on the main floor. Downstairs there was a pizza place and an ice cream shop, along with drivers showers, laundry and lounge. Had picnic tables outside on the lower level. Place was called Sturbridge Isle truck Stop.
    There was another stop at the next exit at US 20. Kind of tacky but had a food truck out front that had good stuff. Pumped your fuel too. And a bar next door also with pretty good food.
     
    kemosabi49, Jun 9, 2018
    kemosabi49, Jun 9, 2018
    #5
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  8. Jun 9, 2018 #6
    Oldfart trucker

    Oldfart trucker Light Load Member

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    They would also loan there car to driver for free. I remember the waitress took a few us drivers to amvets in sturbridge for dinner dance and drinks I loved that place. The j and pilot has ruined more than a few good truckstops
     
    Oldfart trucker, Jun 9, 2018
    Oldfart trucker, Jun 9, 2018
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    bzinger Thanks this.
  9. Jun 9, 2018 #7
    Studebaker Hawk

    Studebaker Hawk Road Train Member

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    I have been trucking in that area since 1976, when there was another truckstop, long gone near there off exit 10 of the Massachusetts Tpk, referred to as "the Dump by their own advertising.
    The truckstops in Sturbridge MA, there is a 2nd one on US 20, have had no end to legal problems brought by the town of Sturbridge for all sorts of reasons. The present Pilot truckstop, formerly the Sturbridge Isle was a very nice place, as described by others had a nice restaurant and other amenities. The city sued the owners because of things like truck idling, traffic and other infractions of local zoning laws. The place went bankrupt and was closed completely for several years. Pilot was able to negotiate reopening a portion of the facility but is not allowed to operate the other building. They are watched very carefully by the locals for bending any zoning ordinances. If the town of Sturbridge had their way they would close down all the trucking related businesses near them. Classic NIMBY
     
    Studebaker Hawk, Jun 9, 2018
    Studebaker Hawk, Jun 9, 2018
    #7
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  10. Jun 9, 2018 #8
    driverdriver

    driverdriver Road Train Member

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    That old restaurant was closed long before pilot took over that property.
     
    driverdriver, Jun 9, 2018
    driverdriver, Jun 9, 2018
    #8
  11. Jun 10, 2018 #9
    navypoppop

    navypoppop Road Train Member

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    OK, I stand corrected on the timeline between closing and Pilot taking over. Sturbridge is like so many other towns that do not want trucks anywhere in sight except to bring them their goods and then go away. Maybe we should boycott all towns that do not want trucks and they can go find their necessary products in a town that wants us.
     
    navypoppop, Jun 10, 2018
    navypoppop, Jun 10, 2018
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    mjd4277, DieselDrivinDaddy and Trucker61016 Thank this.
  12. Jun 10, 2018 #10
    Dick Danger

    Dick Danger Medium Load Member

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    Back in the day, the back row was full of Northern Routes and Putnam trucks.
     
    Dick Danger, Jun 10, 2018
    Dick Danger, Jun 10, 2018
    #10
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