Photos of ghost gas stations

[ME_Andy]

This is a happy thread where we share photos of gas stations that are closing as vehicles get more efficient and reliable. I noticed three in my small town recently. I'm curious if anybody else is noticing the same thing or if it's just local.

This Conoco was the first to go about two years ago. Not surprising because it was in a bad location on the edge of town.


This little service center is closing next month because, "We don't get as many customers as we used to." I'm not sure if the gas pumps will be shut off, too.


Finally, I'm sure this sad little Shell station will be on its way out soon. It hardly ever gets any customers.


I hope I'm not the only one who's experiencing this!

[deejaaa]

feel it has nothing with cars being more efficient. economy has a lot to do with it. corporation bureaucracy also. mismanagement also. corporate scandal. like you said, location.
it's kind of sad to me. seen a lot of business directed from one prime spot to another just because the highway/freeway/road gets redirected. seen businesses struggle because of construction. watched a lot of programs about route 66. was just at Big Tex and how they moved because of reconstruction. it's kind of sad but all in the name of progress.

[hamsterpower]

I'm sure the record low gas prices are hurting stations more than producers too.

[iamnotahippee]

Stores don't make much off of fuel sales. The convenience store i worked at I think made 6 cents a gallon or so. Fuel sales are just the draw for the big money items inside. It is sad anytime a business closes. Those are jobs lost, and people who are losing their investments. Plus the blight of dilapidated properties in our communities. Mismanagement is the worst part.

[Hersbird]

Everybody buys their gas on Amazon these days...

[user removed]

As one who worked 70 hours a week and made $1800 taxable in the 1st year, it hurts to see any business fail. First thing is the owner starts loosing money while still working long hours. It's one of the toughest and loneliest places to be in life. I tried and failed at 25. Succeeded later but it was still VERY tough. Hard to hold to your principles when it is costing you every day, but I did and after 14 years I sold it for a decent price. The gent who bought it is still there, after 16 years.

regards
mech

[MetroMPG]

Where I live, the big change has been the loss of the small, independent stations. They're almost all big names now.

The intersection of our 2 busiest streets had a big name station on EACH corner until just last year. My guess it was put out of business by the opening of another big name station literally ONE block closer to the freeway off ramp, which I suppose siphoned away too many customers.

[ME_Andy]

Originally Posted by deejaaa

feel it has nothing with cars being more efficient. economy has a lot to do with it. corporation bureaucracy also. mismanagement also. corporate scandal. like you said, location.
it's kind of sad to me. seen a lot of business directed from one prime spot to another just because the highway/freeway/road gets redirected. seen businesses struggle because of construction. watched a lot of programs about route 66. was just at Big Tex and how they moved because of reconstruction. it's kind of sad but all in the name of progress.

That's interesting but it's not the cause here. Those stations have been around for decades and there hasn't been any road construction/rerouting.

[oldtamiyaphile]

I think this has more to do with the general trend of big business pushing out the little guy than any shift in fuel usage.

[mort]

A bit different, last Friday, Sept 18, the Kings Canyon Lodge burned down. I think that will finally close the gas station. The dispenser was installed in 1929.


91 octane at $5.29 per gallon.
-mort