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Customer Sabrina Zurcher stops in for a treat for her kids just hours after Hart's opened for business on Thursday October 4th. Courtesy Photo

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A sign is hung at the new Hart's gas station in Cedar Hills. Courtesy Photo

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Cedar Hills residents have been watching and waiting as a field in the heart of the city’s commercial zone transforms into a popular gas and convenience store — Harts.

“We’re definitely a community-based business. All of the owners live in Utah County, and our corporate offices are in American Fork,” said David Jardine, Harts vice president.

Harts had a soft opening on Thursday and plans a grand opening celebration on Oct. 19 and 20. The grand opening will include discounted pricing, giveaways and an appearance by the Utah Jazz Bear and dancers.

Harts will offer competitive pricing on gasoline and 24 flavors of soft drinks, milk shakes, frozen yogurt and food items for people on the go. They also have built a kitchen to provide healthful food for people who need good food fast, such as high school students. In addition, they have created a patio on the north side of the building with three picnic tables and a grassy area for students to sit and eat.

Just hours after opening for business, Sabrina Zurcher, an Alpine resident, stopped in to get treats for her children following kindergarten immunizations.

“We’ve been driving past for weeks saying to the kids, ‘It’s gonna open soon. It’s gonna open soon,’ ” Zurcher said. “We’re going to get a soda today. Harts has the best soda, because they don’t water it down. That’s the key. We don’t drink a lot of soda, but when we do, we come to Harts. Plus, we like to patronize small businesses.”

There are Harts stores from St. George to Salt Lake. Several factors went into the Cedar Hills location choice.

“We wanted to be right here in the heart of Cedar Hills where the other stores are,” Jardine said. “There aren’t a lot of other convenience stores in the area, and we have a good customer base already with residents in the surrounding cities. Also, Lone Peak High School across the street makes this a good location.”

Jardine said they have enjoyed positive relations with high school communities at their other stores and do fun things to give back. They also have worked with high schools donating funds for needed equipment, scoreboards, etc.

It also helped to have a smooth experience with the city during each phase of the process, he said.

“I’ve had a good relationship with all of them, from the city engineer to council members to the previous and current mayors,” Jardine said.

Cedar Hills Mayor Gary Gygi said Harts representatives had regular meetings with the planning commission and came before the city council twice. He noted that whenever there is development of commercial property, there is some give and take.

He said the previous city council had wanted essentially colonial-style properties in Cedar Hills with red brick, traditional-looking buildings. Harts has followed suit.

He also said there are economic ramifications for expanding the commercial zone. It is important, because Cedar Hills gets a portion of retail sales revenue. While retail businesses provide necessary tax base for cities, Cedar Hills only has three: Walmart, Subway and McDonalds. Other types of business provide valuable services to residents, but the city does not receive sales tax revenue from them.

“We are thrilled, absolutely thrilled about Harts coming,” Gygi said. “We hope a lot more will come and provide goods and services that people want. Residents have also been asking for sit-down restaurants and many have been looking at Cedar Hills. We try to support local businesses because they help us. Harts has already been a good neighbor and even sponsored our Family Festival this past summer.”