The Tonawanda News
April 11, 2008 12:04 am
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It’s no secret that gas prices are high. As soon as the snow melted, mainstream media in the Western New York area turned it’s focus to gas prices. The national media has been railing on it for a few years now.
What it means for us is simple — gas prices are high and we’re going to have to deal with it as our dependence on oil exists.
What it means for gas station owners that double as convenience store owners is a little more complicated, and possibly could mean an end to their business. For the places around town that operate a mini-mart in addition to pumps, adjustments in prices will need to be made, perks for shoppers thought up and maybe even a cutback in the products offered.
We all have to sympathize with the guy who operates a store along with some pumps. People are trying to drive less, which means stopping at the station less and would mean stopping at the convenience store less. Ultimately it means less profits for the local guy.
“People are cutting back to allow for gasoline,” said Sam Scapelliti, part owner of Scapelliti’s Super Store on Chestnut Ridge Road in Lockport. “We try to keep the prices as low as possible. We’re one of the lower places in Lockport. We’re only making cents on a gallon — it can be difficult.”
We can understand that it’s a difficult business to be in at this time. That’s why it’s imperative the local business owner do everything possible to make their station/store more attractive.
In saying that, though, we also urge the local stations to be fair in its approach to enticing motorists. The large print that says gas $3.23, with small print that says “with car wash,” isn’t exactly fair advertising. It’s a fine approach to getting people to stop, but please be more forthcoming with the actual price at the pump.
Coupling in-store perks with gallons of gas is a great way to get people to stop. Offers like that seem to please drivers, but we fear the juggling act of operating a store/station and coming up with evolving deals may become too much for the local owner. The national stations may be able to survive, but the moms and pops will have a tough road to hoe.
We don’t see gas prices dropping anytime soon, but we hope local business owners can make the necessary adjustments and diversify their offerings so we don’t have closed-up stations on every corner.
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