The BP station around the corner from me just closed down ..,,,,

[Joanne98]

It's been there for 15 years. It was open the other day but yesterday it was cleaned out. Not even the airhose was left.

I guess this is the way BP is going to raise money. They should have just cut their dividend.

[hobbit709]

1. All the BP stations in TX pulled out after their little refinery problem.

[BeFree]

2. Very wise

Get out while the getting is good.

BP is on it's death bed. It will be carved up into little pieces, and little Tony will never get his life back.

There be a wee bit of justice left in this old world.

[Statistical]

3. BP stations aren't owned by BP.

They are owner operators, franchises.

Likely the owner was facing hard times and the reduction in business/cashflow put them over the edge.

[Joanne98]

4. Oh thanks. I didn't know.

[Statistical]

5. Same with all gas stations.

Just like McDonalds CORP isn't in the business of saying burgers. They are in the business of selling burger stores. :)

[ET Awful]

7. Technically, they don't even sell the "burger stores" they sell a license

to apply their name to a burger store which the licensee pays to build (lease, remodel, whatever).

[Statistical]

8. Yeah.

Gas stations work the same way.

Say you want to open a gas station you get a license and the company helps you with logos, preferred contractors, suppliers for tanks, permits, recommended layouts, locations, etc. You pay them an annual licensing fee and you buy all your gasoline from them wholesale.

Now if you don't want to go with the integrated you can open a independent gas station (raceway, WAWA, etc). In which case you are buying a license but are unrestricted in who's gasoline you sell. You simply by gasoline at spot prices or arrange your own short term contracts (90 days).

[rurallib]

11. not quite true, but in the main most gas stations are franchisees

there are chains of convenience stores. One we have that is all over in Iowa is Casey's that is owned by a very, very right winger.

[Kookaburra]

6. The one in our little town closed down about a year ago

It didn't stand a chance, though. It was at an intersection with 2 other gas stations, and always had the highest priced gas. I hardly ever saw anyone at their pumps.

[Oilwellian]

9. I passed a BP near my house the other day

Someone had emptied a garbage bag full of trash near the entry into the station. Being in a very red part of Virginia, it was surprising to say the least.

[rox63]

10. I wouldn't be suprised if the one near me also closes down soon

I pass it twice a day, going to and from work. In the past month, I barely ever see anyone gassing up there. Occasionally, I see a car parked in front of the station's mini-mart. But not at the gas pumps.