DALTON, Ga. — Dalton residents and commuters who travel Walnut Avenue near Interstate 75 will have one less option for gas and snacks until at least late November as the RaceTrac undergoes a major remodel.

The store at 1511 W. Walnut Ave., one of only three gas stations located near interstate exit 333, closed on Monday and should re-open by the beginning of December, said Karissa Bursch, communications manager for RaceTrac Petroleum Inc.

The renovated store, she said, will bring a more modern layout that will include updated architecture, a Swirl World frozen treat station complete with a toppings bar, an expanded coffee area with more options and counter space, and additional indoor lighting and seating space.

Bursch said during some of the company’s remodels they are able to open a smaller “pop up” convenience store that can still offer gas while work takes place on the building, but the size of the lot at this location and the amount of required construction equipment make that option impossible.

“However, our teams work diligently to make this process as brief as possible with an average 45-day turnaround for the typical remodel, weather permitting. We look forward to providing our updated offerings to our Dalton-area guests very soon,” she said.

At least one commuter — Kara House, who works in Dalton and lives in Calhoun — said Tuesday that while she appreciates the upgrades the RaceTrac is likely to add, she will miss getting her gas and coffee at the store.

“Yeah, I drive by here twice a day, five days a week, and I probably stop there at least once per day, whether for coffee in the morning or a Coke and junk food for the drive home,” said House after getting breakfast at the Chick-fil-A next door. “(RaceTrac) just built a new store in Calhoun, so if it’s going to be like that one it will be really nice.”

Bursch confirmed that the store will offer everything it did before it closed, as well as several more options.

“This remodeled store will feature roller grill classics as well as seasonal limited time offers, which can be topped with old favorites like ketchup and mustard, or mixed up with new additions like onions, jalapenos and nacho cheese from the expanded toppings bar,” she said. “The updated RaceTrac food offering also includes a new variety of pizza slices, breakfast sandwiches, hot and cold lunch sandwiches, salads, wraps, fruit cups, whole fruits and fresh-baked pastries, all delivered fresh each day.”

While she wasn’t sure exactly how many people work at the Walnut Avenue store, Bursch said the company’s stores average 10 to 15 team members and that the employees of this location will be moved to other stores in the area while the remodel is being completed. They will return to the store when it re-opens, she said.