Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Was driving around a bit this weekend and noticed how many gas stations have been closed this year. I counted at least 10 stations within 5 miles of my house that are now gone.
I know many of these stations are being forced out of business because of a Federal law requiring stations to replace their old tanks this year. It doesn't pay for an independently owned station to invest in the new tanks.
Im sure the future of gas stations on Long Island are going to be the mega-stations owned by the oil companies and partnered with a Quickie Mart/DunkinDonuts/Subway shop. Im sure there will be no price competition on gas. I suppose with the advent of electric or hybrid cars we no longer need 5 stations along a two block stretch of road anymore.
The cheapest gas station for the last 5+ years around here has been a large Sunoco. The ones that have closed down with an empty lot have not re-opened into anything else, but I have also not seen any newly-shutdown in the last 3 years.
A lot of the stations just can't afford to be in business anymore. The inventory costs and fluctuating prices are causing a lot of station owners to close down. Imagine buying 10,000 gallons of gasoline at $3.05 a gallon and then it drops to $2.95. You lose a $1,000 dollars and you still have to sell the gas. It's almost a game of russian roulette to single station owners. Only the large contingents can afford to navigate the type of price fluctuations we are seeing again.
I agree that no business can survive just selling gas. The business model for gas stations has certainly changed from the neighborhood gas seller/car mechanic to the higher volume fuel dealer with Apu's quickie mart. Gas is just the item to get people in to buy coffee, cigs, newpapers etc.
I pine away fro the days of checking your oil, washing your windows and getting a free glass all with a fill-up!!! Im so dating myself!!
The cheapest gas station for the last 5+ years around here has been a large Sunoco. The ones that have closed down with an empty lot have not re-opened into anything else, but I have also not seen any newly-shutdown in the last 3 years.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gpsma
Don't know where you are located but the stations I saw this weekend are all newly shut down.
Where have you seen this ?
Just curious why people make posts and seem to leave out location when it may be relevant to the post.
I drive between Plainview and Hicksville everyday as well as Bethpage now. Lots of gas stations along Old Country Road and Hempstead Tpke to count, none shut down to my recollection. If so many "this year" has been shut down, I haven't seen it... where is this?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
