Popular family-owned truck stop to be bought by TA

A New Mexico travel center will soon be acquired by truck stop chain TravelCenters of America (TA), according to a report.

Russell’s Truck & Travel Center is to be purchased by TA in a deal set to close October 11, 2023, according to a report from the Quay County Sun.

The truck stop is located off of I-40 at Exit 369 in Glen Rio, New Mexico.

Russell’s will maintain the same name for the next three years, according to the report. The Russell’s team says that TA wants to keep the restaurant open without changes to the menu. All 68 current staff members are expected to stay on board following the acquisition.

Additionally, the free classic car and memorabilia museum located on site will remain open for five years through a leasing arrangement between the Russell family and TA. The donations generated by the museum go to local food banks.

The truck stop was opened by Emory and Barbara Russell in 2010.

Another Russell’s location in Springer, New Mexico, was also sold to TA earlier this year.

“My mom and dad are getting a lot older. My dad’s 86 years old. And all my brothers are all retired. I live in Amarillo, and I’m out here six days a week. I just need to be home. It’s just kind of time. Basically, everybody’s getting older, and you want to have some more time for yourselves,” Mark Russell, director of operations for Russell’s, told the Quay County Sun.