Express stations exit gas retail arena

By Karen Martin
Lifestyles Editor
lifestyles@elkintribune.com

Last week the underground gasoline tanks were removed from the Citgo Station on N. Bridge Street. The location was part of G & B's last remaining convenience stores.

G & B sold most of their gasoline business to WilcoHess LLC. Their previous holdings included the Exxon on CC Camp Road near I-77, Exxon at Hwy 67 & I-77 in Jonesville and the Citgo on N. Bridge St. in Elkin. G & B also owns a Subway franchise located in the former Citgo building.

"The Subway will remain open," Rick Caudill, Vice President of Operations said of the fast food franchise.

G & B Oil Company is a family owned business that began in 1945 when E. C. Boyles and Phillip Greenwood became partners in G & B Oil Company.

"If you hear any group of business owners in retail gasoline talking," Caudill explained when asked if the rising gas prices influenced their decision to close the stores, "you would most likely hear that the credit card fees are a major factor with the charges exceeding the margin receipt from the sales of the product."

Caudill said that the company decided over a year ago to close the convenience stores, and to focus on other aspects of the company. "We're going to concentrate on our propane, fuel oil, kerosene and sales of gasoline to farms and commercial businesses," Caudill said of commercial sales. The pumps at their office location were removed when the leasee left, and the company plans to expand their showroom and offices at their G&B corporate offices at North Bridge Street. Plans for an expansion of the Subway space are not a part of future plans, neither are there plans for finding a new tennant at the N. Bridge St. according to Caudill. "There aren't any plans at this time."