AU REVOIR, CHEVRON.....

[jtdraig]

Just talked to the "Manager" of the 466-A Chevron. He told me they are closing the gas station at the end of the month and that the "next person" can fix all the problems. Personally, I think it was a flawed business plan to charge 15 cents a gallon over and above everyone else. And, for those who say that Chevron is traditionally more expensive, you are right and that fits into the flawed business plan. The owners should have had a traditionally priced gas station and they would have been successful. It's a big turnoff for most to pay 15 cents per gallon more particularly from a psychological standpoint. Here's hoping that the next owners have more acumen and vision.....

[zcaveman]

The Chevron in Belleview looks like it shut down also.

[Muncle]

The rent is entirely too high for an area that is not yet developed. Crossman/TV seemingly should be offering a good deal as an incentive to get a convenience store/gas station in there now. No one can justify a $20K/month rent now, when there is such a small market. Later, when the housing areas are built out, the medical center is completed, and other commercial facilities are in, 466A may justify it. Not now.

For someone who understands how this type of business is run:

On the other hand, I don't really know the details of who owns what. Somebody who knows this stuff, correct these assumptions/statements/questions:
Crossman/TV owns the land and leases it to XYZ.
XYZ built the station and leases it to Chevron which leases it to a franchisee or XYZ is Chevron and Chevron leases it to franchisee/final operators?
Who now controls the property?
Does Chevron look for another franchisee or sell whatever rights they hold to the property?

[graciegirl]

Anyway you look at it, there are too many different levels and each level has to have money to continue. Doesn't look like cheap gas near us anytime soon. (Wherever we are!)

[chuckster]

Said it before (2 weeks ago) and I'll say it again, they were not priced 15 cents higher than Shell on 466. The day I checked they were both at 3.97 per gallon. :) :)

[captain1202]

We will see much more of this. Most if not all service stations are required to pay on delivery for product. With the working capital requirements increasing daily, many small operators can't make it. I've noticed numerous convenience stores with pumps closed. I assume this is the reason.

As an aside, I heard an interesting Senate Hearing on C-Span where the Connecticut Fuel Retailer Assoc was testifying. They are concerned that for that reasons noted above, a number of home heating oil dealers in CT (and other states as well) will be unable to obtain the requisite financing for their purchases next winter. One man testified he had just received a 175+-gal delivery with an accompanying bill of $620. Yikes!! Many people will simply be unable to afford to heat next winter. No discussion of this on the news.

[Villages Kahuna]

What would also be great is if they put in a car wash. But it may be too much to expect that.

[chuckster]

Checked today (sun.) and I stand corrected ;D ;D, the advertised price for reg. was 4.06/gal :o :o and I paid 3.93 over on 466. Also noticed plastic bags over the hoses and signs saying cash only/no credit.

[jtdraig]

And, now, they are gone! Hope someone smarter opens there. It could really fly if managed correctly.

[JohnN]

jtdraig,
it doesn't seem to me that it'd take someone too darn smart to make a go of a gas station in an area where none exists, although I realize the station itself (not the gas per se) is a slim margin business.

[jtdraig]

:dontknow:You'd think! But, the truth is that there is a station just two miles down the road heading east. If you go to Walmart in Leesburg the back way, there is a "racetrack" like station just north of Walmart which is cheapest around. BUT, all that said, the old Chevron was golf cart accessible but at 15c per gallon higher than most a lot of people refused to use it. Now it is gone...