The familiar bright red glow has returned to the night sky in New Stanton, beckoning turnpike travelers and locals. A remodeled, 6,070-square-foot Sheetz convenience store, known for 24-7 fuel and made-to-order (MTO) food, opened Wednesday after being shuttered for most of the summer during reconstruction. One of the biggest changes is readily visible — four shiny new diesel pumps flank the left side of the building, while 12 gas pumps frame the right side of the parking lot. Not quite a full-fledged truck stop — no showers or tabletop jukeboxes here — the store is expected to attract more tractor-trailers to the borough bracketed by four major highways — Interstate 70, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Turnpike Route 66 and Route 119. The parking lot was expanded in anticipation of the trucks requiring a wider berth, with a separate entrance for cars. The total cost of the project was not released, but the privately owned chain purchased neighboring hotel property from Bahubali Hospitality LLC in February for $1.82 million, according to Westmoreland County property tax records. Other notable additions inside the store include a walk-in beer cave, three self-checkout kiosks and a dining area. The store hosted a friends and family night Tuesday, when invited guests previewed the store and sampled some popular MTO food. Most said they were excited to have the business reopen, as other restaurants and convenience stores in the borough dotted with hotels close in the late evening. "I’m excited about having a 24-7 gas station and convenience store again. I didn’t realize how much I would miss it until it was gone,” said Christina Pacacha, who lives in nearby Hunker. She said she looks forward to stopping for a quick bite, especially one of her favorites, the "smoked sausage bunz.” The three-pack of pumped-up pigs in a blanket retails for $3.99. "There’s cheese in them,” Pacacha said. "They’re like a fluffy cloud of happiness.” Store employees who worked in other nearby locations during the past few months also said they were looking forward to coming back to what they consider their home base. "I missed seeing the people of New Stanton. The customers and the co-workers,” said Assistant Manager Adam Wilhelm of Charleroi. "Getting used to what’s where” in the layout of the new store and expanded kitchen will be the biggest adjustment for the 30 employees over the next few days, he said. The Altoona-based chain serves approximately 1.5 million people per day in 638 locations across six states, according to Nick Ruffner, Sheetz public relations manager. "It’s important to Sheetz that our store locations are regularly rebuilt to improve ease of access for our customers and help our employees best deliver on our menu,” Ruffner said. "Sheetz is excited to offer our loyal customers in New Stanton a new store design which will include a restaurant-style experience with self-service kiosks, seating both inside and outside the store, our iconic Fizz City soda machines, a beer cave and more.” As part of its holiday coffee program, Sheetz is offering customers one free self-serve coffee and "Cup’occino” every week during December, which can be redeemed at all stores, Ruffner said. Rebecca Poole is a Tribune-Review assistant news editor. You can contact Rebecca at 724-838-5146, bpoole@triblive.com or via Twitter .