466A Gas Station
 

Is there any hope for the gas station on 466A at Colony Plaza? Anyone know if or when they may have gas again?

:cus:

We hope that they will AGAIN reopen and pass gas soon. (How many closings is this one?)

If they didn't charge more than other stations nearby they would have a better chance of staying in business.

IMO

As I have said before, I feel that once 466A begins to build in the Sotuj TV area it will do well as it is in an excellent location. Think about it, only gas station on 466A and ONLY gas cart available South of 466? Can you say, "Gold Mine"? Right now, yes it is hard, but mark my words!

Army Guy

That station has closed and reopened about 6 times in the 18 months that I've been here. I don't know what the problem is, unless it's their high prices.

Thanks KathieI,

That pretty much confirms what I have heard about gas stations. They are owned by the big boys, Shell, BP, etc. The lease runs $250,000 per year so the lessee must move some fuel and store items. Kind of a catch 22. We won't buy gas because it is 10 cents higher and the station can't generate enough revenue by selling at a competitive price. Also in some areas the major oil companies dictate to the station how much they must charge for fuel. I'm sure the profit on a golf cart is pretty small, unless they can get us inside to buy something from the store. I personally support the station and the store simply because I want them to succeed. I also support the restaurants and grocery in Colony Cottage for the same reason, not because of price.

First, let me say it was nice meeting you and the others on Friday afternoon.

As for the station, few stations can be substained on only the pump receipts unless they have a super amount of traffic passing through each and every day.

The only way many gas stations can exist is through the offering of other services. i.e. oil changes, tire sales, repairs, etc. Not knowing much about the station being discussed I don't know if they offer other services, but if they don't, and even if they do you may continue to see the on and off availability, until as you say the development of TV below 466a and/or some expansion of other services they offer.

I may be wrong, but if I am... I won't admit it!!! http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/e...ns/whistle.gif

I don't remember this gas station being closed as long as it has this time. What do others who own gas carts plan to do in the meantime? I hate to buy a gas can and haul gasoline from one of the stations on 466, especially with so many visitors here this month, but I am going to need gas soon!

I just put on the earbuds, crank up the music and take a nice drive to 466 for gas. Not a big deal and I wouldn't buy from the station on 466a anyway; not as long as their prices are $.20 gallon more than anyone else.

Just saying ..... :shrug:

While I wouldn't fill my car there, I would normally fill my gas cart at the station at 466A despite the price since it usually only takes about 4 gallons anyway ( I don't like to let it get too low). Half the time I fill up on 466 anyway so I'll just go to one of the stations up there.

I don't see any need to buy a gas can and haul around gas. I usually take my cart all over TV and will just fill up when I'm near 466. If I have to, I'll make a special trip up there on a nice day that I'm not too busy.

I agree with you that if true the $20K per month rent would be very difficult to sustain but if someone did their homework prior to leasing I would hope they would have at least reached that conclusion prior to signing.

According to the Sumter County land records that piece of property was bought in 2007 by an LLP partnership out of St Pete for $1.5M and their property taxes are paid up. Tried searching the web for the partnership but found nothing.

Met a man in McDonald's (hearsay) who told us he was there when the police came in and handcuffed 3 workers...evidently there were drug sales involved. PLACE CLOSED down! That was a week or so ago. I understand it has REOPENED! Hooray!!!!!!

But are they selling gasoline????

Bill

Good question

Yes they are. Bought gas for my Golf Car yesterday. A bit expensive, but they have gas and are selling....

It is pumping!!!
 

Just drove by the station and people were filling up; both cars and carts.

Price is $3.49 same as up on 466!


If we expect the station to be viable until south of 466A build out, I think we have to be buying our car gas there as well as our cart gas.....can't believe that any gas station could survive on cart fill ups as a majority of their business.

Otherwise, we'll be seeing a thread like this again!

Yes they are selling gasoline again or at least they were. There was a tanker offloading on Friday morning and that may not last long. I went there Friday pm to fill the golf cart and the store does not look good. Stock on shelves is thinning, no lottery, if you are a smoker forget it-no cigarettes and the restaurant area was dark. I doubt they can survive on gasoline alone.

Oh wonderful. Sounds like they're gonna go "tango uniform" again...........

Thanks for the info!

Bill

I went by there Friday at around noon and they were trying to sell regular for $3.56. Not doing much business.

This site doesn't show the Colony station.

After buying a 2 gallon gas can at Home Depot and filling it up, I later went to Publix and discovered the Shell station at 466A is open again and pumping gas!

If/when this station is out of gas again, where's the nearest golf cart accessible station to this one?

The couple of stations up on 466 near Buena Vista are going to be closest to this one.

Bill

It's not golf cart accessible, but 3 miles east, on 466-A (which becomes Miller Lane, Fruitland Park), of the 466-A gas station is a Kangaroo express, open 24/7, with a convenience store, and that is the closest station to the 466-A station. It's next to the post office in Fruitland Park. But, don't even think about even slightly speeding there; believe me, I know.

Thanks Freeda, but I will be renting in Hadley, with a gas golf cart, and won't have an auto. I need golf cart accessibility.

A Heads Up
 

Got this from a very reliable source..Just a heads up when you take your car/cart to the Shell on 466A


"I stopped by the Shell station at Colony Plaza today and got gas. The sign outside said $3.52.9 and after I filled up I noticed that my receipt said that I paid $3.59.9, so I went inside and asked them about it. They said that it was an extra 7 cents to use a charge card. I was lucky that I got a receipt and that I actually checked it. Many times I don't. I have bought my last gallon of gas there. Just a heads up". :shrug:

Did the same thing about a week ago and paid .13 more per gal than advertised because I charged it. The sign out front doesn't say "cash price"
How many people pay cash for gas when you have to pre-pay? Pull up to the pump, go into the store and wait your turn, give them your money, walk out and pump your gas, go back into the store, wait your turn to get your change if you have some coming, then walk back out to your car. Meanwile the guy waiting for your pump is fuming.

You'll still be up near 466 many times I'm sure. Wal-Mart, restaurants, Spanish Springs etc. Just fill up while you're there if you need it.

As somewhat of a specialist from time to time in the sale of gas stations ( BP, Cumberland Farns and A number of Mom and Pops) there could be a number of factors making profit difficult. Gas sales are the least profitable at about .01 per gallon. Inside store sales is a 28% profit. The owner of the tanks and pumps most likely requires a petroleum contract and gas can only be provided by that supplier. Rental rate is often very high and the combo of the two make it hard to turn a profit. Success may require a corporate purchase and profit will have to come from inside store sales if the station is to be viable. BP sold all their stations in Central and south Florida to provide only fuel. If this store reopens support the merchandise inside the store if they are to make a profit.

If you pump 5 gal in your cart, you've spent a whopping 35 cents. Lighten up folks. The guy is barely surviving.

GasPrice
 

You pay for convience. When the station was closed people complained they were closed. Now he's open and he charges a little more then those stations on 466 big deal. Stop at Peachwave when your done and the trip is worthwhile. All I know is that he's open, has gas, and it's only around the corner. I go to Publix, Peachwave, Beall's, Cals, etc. Support the station and he'll stay open.

There is a lot of wisdom in this quote! Fruitland Park is REALLY tough on speeders. I always go the speed limit plus one or two in there. Sometimes I get tailgated like crazy but rather that than a ticket..the people who are here all year seem to understand that Fruitland Park is a basic speedtrap. Worse places on 466A are right after the limit drops to 35; the road out to 27/441 after turning at the Marathon Gas Station; and, on the red road.

Non service gas statiions
 

have a hard enough time surviving made even worse by having to give up a portion of profits to TV in addition to rent.:throwtomatoes:

Property not owned by TV, check the county records.:boom:

Where did the ownership info come from??

No Gas AGAIN 5/18/11
 

Pumps covered with bags. Drove thru the lot & said screw it. Wednesday eve around 7:30 PM.

Thanks for the info, F16. Bummer - we're planning on being there in a week.....and that's the closest gas station to us!

Bill

When you settle in, Bill/Sandy send me a note. We must get together.