Anyone who has not traveled west on Carefree Highway west of the Black Canyon Freeway in a few weeks will be surprised to learn that a new Carefree Highway Shell Station\Subway complete with large convenience store is under construction at the corner of W. Carefree Highway and Lake Pleasant Blvd.
The new commercial development is located just north of the venerable Wild Horse West Saloon, which for decades was the only place for nearly twenty miles to get ice, supplies, burgers and beer. An old slump block building with attached bait shop and snack store, for generations, it was a welcome sight when going to or from Lake Pleasant.
The City of Peoria over the years has annexed the land to their north, much like Scottsdale did, eventually reaching the Carefree Highway. New development to the east of the new development near I-17, which is associated with the new Intel plant of the 303, has created a new soon-to-be-lighted intersection.
The new Shell is of substantial size, with many bays making it resemble more a Pilot truck stop than a gas station on the edge of town.
