Jan 23, 2013 10:06 AM
The Getty gas station and auto repair shop in Sag Harbor was shuttered earlier this month after its owner, Jim Shelly, said he lost money selling gasoline in 2012 and saw no hope for turning a profit this year.
The closure leaves just one operating gas station in the village, Harbor Heights on Route 114, which currently has an application before the Village Zoning Board of Appeals to expand, upgrade and add a convenience store—an application strongly opposed by neighbors who argue the change would disrupt the character of the community.
The Getty, on Main Street, across from Mashashimuet Park and Otter Pond, was leased by East Hampton’s Georgica Services, which started running it in 2005. It closed on January 8.
Mr. Shelly, who owns Georgia Services, said that the gasoline supplier Getty Petroleum went bankrupt in April, ending Georgica’s five-year-lease of the station and losing its rent and gasoline security deposits of $25,000 in the process.
Getty Realty, the owner of the property, gave Georgica a 30-day renewable permit to stay there and assigned it to a new fuel supplier while negotiating a long-term supply lease for all its stations.
This past summer, Mr. Shelly said, the Getty lost money because the new fuel supplier, Alliance Energy Ltd., sold gas to him at prices that would not allow him to be competitive with other stations in the area. At one point, Alliance Energy delivered regular gas to him for 11 cents more than the Hess pump price. Representatives from Alliance Energy did not return a call seeking comment on Tuesday.
In December, Alliance Energy and Getty Realty entered into a 10-year lease on more than 120 properties, including the one in Sag Harbor, he said. “Alliance offered me a one-year lease, but would not commit to a lower rent or a sustainable gas price,” Mr. Shelly said. “No one was interested in buying the business, so I decided to close.”
Five gas station attendants and a manager lost their jobs, but the mechanics are now working at Georgica Services’s shop on Springs-Fireplace Road in East Hampton, Mr. Shelly said. “Running a business where you don’t make any money is just not practical anymore—it never was.”
The fate of the property, which has been a gas station for more than 60 years, is now in Alliance’s hands, but the station, with its 1960s-style pumps, will need to be renovated, he said.
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Its been a tough road for all small businesses. I can say things are way better for me than they were 5 years ago. Its a shame the small gas station ...more owners are at a complete disadvantage when competing against large chains. Sorry to see Georgica services leave the village.
Obama Deficits
FY 2012: $1,089 billion
FY 2011: $1,300 billion
FY 2010: $1,293 billion
FY 2009: $1,413 billion
Bush Deficits
FY 2008: $459 billion
FY 2007: $161 billion
FY 2006: $0
FY 2005: $0
I don't know who cooks their books better, the Fed, the Treasury, or the White House.
$3.5 trillion – Economic changes (including lower than expected tax revenues and higher safety net spending due to recession)
$1.6 trillion – Bush Tax Cuts (EGTRRA and JGTRRA), primarily tax cuts but also some smaller spending increases
$1.5 trillion - Increased non-defense discretionary spending
$1.4 trillion – Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq
$1.4 trillion - Incremental interest due to higher debt balances
$0.9 ...more trillion - Obama stimulus and tax cuts (ARRA and Tax Act of 2010)
Looks like 900 billion toward the current administration, and most of the rest to the previous leaders (and I use that term loosely) of our governmental, and fiscal entities...
As of end of fiscal 2011:
$3.5 trillion – Economic changes (including lower than expected tax revenues and higher safety net ...more spending due to recession)
$1.6 trillion – Bush Tax Cuts (EGTRRA and JGTRRA), primarily tax cuts but also some smaller spending increases
$1.5 trillion - Increased non-defense discretionary spending
$1.4 trillion – Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq
$1.4 trillion - Incremental interest due to higher debt balances
$0.9 trillion - Obama stimulus and tax cuts (ARRA and Tax Act of 2010)
Why don't you OT ranters go back to the other thread?
GO BACK TO YOUR CORNER!
AND STAY THERE!
http://www.27east.com/news/article.cfm/East-End/448120/Sandy-Hook-Tragedy-Is-Felt-At-East-End-Schools#comment78277
With wafer thin profit margins on gasoline alone, these stations need to be of the mini mart variety. Unfortunately due to zoning, it is very difficult and expensive to expand. I feel for these business owners.
Gas stations that charge less do more volume with almost same overhead as the station with the lower volume.
Hess is the place where they control refining and distribution and their price naturally will be lower.
It seems everyone likes to pick on the gas prices why not look at King Kullen prices etc.
Toma drive ...more the x-tra miles and spend the x-tra time and yes you will see the small stations disappear. Oh remember in the cold and snow and rain when you didn't have to pump your own because you had the small town touch of having someone there to pump for you.
Drink up the Pelligrino on sale today.
If Harbor Heights has to close for their renovation (if approved), will Sag Harbor go without a gas station, or will the Getty station be opened up in some way?
Unlimited corporate charter has led us to small businesses disappearing. Look at what happened to Riverhead's Main St. when Route 58 was developed into chains. Would you rather put food on your neighbor's table, or save a couple bucks and support a company with questionable business ethics on the world wide stage? ...more "The People" have apparently shortsightedly spoken on that too. Look at any town which a Wal-Mart was built in. The big picture needs to be seen, and I implore each of you to look for it. It would seem Abraham Lincoln was right to "tremble for the safety" and future of this country.
Alliance is likely watching the fate of the Harbor Heights application to expand and include a mini-mart, which has come under fire for being too expansive.
This trend has taken hold on the East End, ...more and may be reaching its end, as the Harbor Heights expansion is not a sure thing by any means. If their application is denied, the Getty station could see a new lease happen quickly IMO.