First retail land sold near Volvo Cars factory; 2 new shops coming to downtown Charleston

A Charleston-based convenience store chain is the first retailer to buy property in Santee Cooper’s Camp Hall business park, home of the Volvo Cars manufacturing plant.

Refuel Operating Co. paid the state-owned utility $1.25 million recently for a 1.14-acre parcel at 446 Autonomous Drive in the nearly 7,000-acre tract in Berkeley County.

The property, about a mile or so from Interstate 26, is near Volvo Car Drive on a site called Avian Commons, a planned 114-acre village center catering to employees of Camp Hall businesses.

The transaction has been in the works for a while. Santee Cooper spokeswoman Nicole Aiello said no other retailers have purchased land in the Avian Commons parcel.

Refuel has 215 locations across the Southeast and Texas, mainly through acquisitions. The food and fuel provider also operates several stores in the Charleston area.