Work has started on a new O’Reilly auto parts store coming to Morgantown, on the site of the Star City Shoney’s restaurant.
It was announced in June that WVU was selling the land to Springfield, Mo.-based O’Reilly Auto Enterprises.
A legal ad published in The Dominion Post noted WVU bought the land in June 2012. WVU said in an email exchange that the Star City property in the notice includes the parking lot and the former Shoney’s site which will be sold, in its entirety, to O’Reilly Auto Parts.
“Evaluation of real estate holdings is an ongoing process at West Virginia University and this sale is part of that continual review work,” WVU said in June.
The West Virginia University Board of Governors authorized the property sale at its April 23, 2021, meeting.
A source at O’Reilly said the plan was to demolish the former restaurant and build a new O’Reilly store on the site. The company estimates having it done at the end of the year.
O’Reilly’s website indicates that as of March 31, it had 5,986 stores in 48 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and 43 stores in Mexico. They have a new store opening every 2.5 days.
There are 24 O’Reilly Auto Parts stores in West Virginia, including Fairmont and Clarksburg.
