A Kentucky-based gas station and convenience store opens its first Florida location in Clearwater Monday.

Thorntons plans to open nearly 20 other stores in the Tampa Bay area over the next three years.

The 3,500 square foot store on Gulf to Bay Boulevard offers sandwiches, salads, baked good, coffee.

“Thorntons strives to be customers favorite place to stop while on the go, known for fast pumps, clean restrooms, great customer service and top of the line beverages,” Erin Jones, a spokeswoman, said in an email. “The area is a growing market and great community to be a part of, when review areas to expand the Tampa Bay area was at the top of the list due to it's continued growth.”

The store hired about 15 employees for this location, Jones said. 

It has 166 locations in six states including Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee.

If you go:

What: Thorntons grand opening

When: 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3

Where: 1698 Gulf to Bay Blvd.