Tallahassee #12

Sing Food Store | Deli

4815 Kerry Forrest Parkway

Tallahassee, FL 32309

Original Publication: September 2, 2021 | Revised: May 13, 2022

Built in 1986, Tallahassee #12 was one of the last Sing Stores to be built before the Amoco merger and is believed to be the final store of the large-format square prototype. This store was built on the North side of Tallahassee in the rapidly expanding Killearn neighborhood. To those not familiar with the area, the Killearn / Bradfordville areas of Tallahassee are home to many of the Capitol City's more affluent residents, which makes sense why Sing would build two new stations within two years of each other. This station is located 2 miles North of the other Killearn store, Tallahassee #6, and 2.5 miles South of the Bradfordville store on US 319. Check out my other post that highlights the Bradfordville store and take a flashback all the way to 1984 and how both of these locations would have looked in the '80s!

One of the highlights of these stores versus the earlier prototypes is the additional space for a Deli and hot food counter. In the 1980s, Sing began to capitalize on the idea of serving hot, fast food within a convenience store that many have come to expect today. They started this idea with a food court of sorts that was built adjacent to Tallahassee #8 on Appalachee Parkway. While the food court idea didn't take off, the Delicatessens became very popular, as noted in an article from July 4, 1984 in the Tallahassee Democrat. The first Sing sandwich counter in Tallahassee was installed in 1984, and by 1986 fried chicken, hot dogs, and hamburgers were added to the menu.

July 4, 1984 article from Tallahassee Democrat - One stop fills the tank tummy and fridge - Sing Oil Company Blog

July 4, 1984 Tallahassee Democrat article describing Sing's foray in to delicatessens.
I believe the store in the photo is ~~Tallahassee #6, but is similar to~~ Tallahassee #10.

According to various articles in the Tallahassee Democrat, including the one above, Tallahassee #6 and Tallahassee #10 were the first two stores to add a deli to their offerings. Both stores would have been renovated around 1984 to add this service, and the Bradfordville store was the first to open with a deli. The article above mentions a store was scheduled to open during the week of July 4, 1984 which aligns with the time frame of the Bradfordville store. By 1990, at least eight of the eleven Tallahassee Sing stores would have operated a deli, with the possibility of all area stores being retrofitted.

Tallahassee #12 is listed in a Classified on March 27, 1986, stating "Sing Food & Deli Opening Soon" and hiring full time positions. Judging by several other classifieds from the time, I estimate this store opened around Monday, March 31, 1986 to greet North Killearn with a store that was "More than Convenient." Tallahassee would gain one more Sing store in 1987 (Tallahassee #14) before Amoco took control of the company and would cease operations in most other markets. Amoco also opened or converted an additional three Tallahassee stations to the Sing brand in the 1990s that had nothing to do with the original company (Tallahassee #17, #18, & Amoco-Sing 5059).

Interior Photos

While I won't share them today, I have extensive pictures of the Bradfordville Sing Store during its grand opening in 1984. Both of these stores were built to the same plans and Tallahassee #12 which retains many of its '80s characteristics even after a recent remodel by Circle K. While the tile, ceiling, and signage is new and a few bulkheads have been removed, the layout of the store bears a strong resemblance to the original 1986 plan. I apologize in advance for some of the awkward shots or angles but it can be hard to discretely photograph something as small as a convenience store.

Tallahassee Sing Food Store & Deli #12 Circle K interior

View looking toward the rear of the store. The drink coolers are placed in their original location but beer would have been where the "Soda" sign is and the "Beer Cave" would have been the wine cooler.

Dairy would have taken up the entire three cooler sections on the angled wall.
Garden tools would have been in the nook where the removable fridge is with hardware in front.

This photo is looking toward the front of the store from the back. The aisles had the same configuration, and a seasonal drink display would have been in front of the door.

When built, this section had a partition wall with automotive supplies in front of a hallway or possibly seating area leading to the rest rooms on the left. The front door is just to the right of the frame.

The section with the "Polar Pop" fountain drinks was home to snacks, and the "Froster" wall had a three-door freezer for frozen foods. The fountain "Drink Center" was on an island close to where the roller food and boiled peanuts are today. A chest freezer flanked the left side of the white column.

The cashier counter configuration remains largely the same but was expanded slightly into the space of the deli. The "Fresh Food Fast" was then pushed slightly into the frozen foods section and originally would have ended at the red wall. A cigarette display was between the cashier counter and the front door, and a temporary drink/beer display would have sat where the open cooler is today.

Outdoor Fixtures

Front enterance to Tallahassee Sing Food Store & Deli #12

The entry configuration remains unchanged from the Sing days except for some paint and a new awning. The cashier counter is located to the left of the door and would've had a payment portal in that window.

Pizza restaurant with Sing awning next to Tallahassee Sing Food Store & Deli #12

The pizza restaurant next to Tallahassee #12 still uses the original Sing awning.
This parcel was probably built in 1986 with the station and leased to a tenant.

Thanks to a tip I received, I found out that this building was originally a Domino's Pizza restaurant which had opened by August 1986. Interestingly, it, along with another former Domino's near Lake Jackson, have both converted to local pizza restaurants.

Tallahassee Sing Food Store & Deli #12 Air station

The typical Sing air and vacuum station is located to the right of the main entrance.
While the light fixtures have been swapped for LED models, the original poles stand.

Google Street Views

Google Street View - May 2011
Possibly original Sing paint on the adjacent building's awning.

Google Street View - December 2007
View from Kerry Forrest Parkway of Tallahassee #12

Google Street View - July 2018
View from Shamrock Street of Tallahassee #12

Aerial Views

It is fascinating to see how this area of Killearn has developed since the mid-1980s. It is just out of the frame, but Kerry Forest Parkway ended at Velda Dairy Road in 1983 and was not yet connected to Thomasville Road (US 319).

Additionally, Leon County has a great website featuring historic aerial photographs from different decades in conjunction to their superior land records database. I wish every county was as organized and digitized as Leon County, Florida - and all of it is free.