Mar 27, 2008
BUSINESS:
With new owner, Shell station due back by May
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Shell gas customers can breathe a sigh of relief: The Danbury Road station is going to re-open.
That’s the promise of new owner Frank Disiena, who bought the station from Tom Kelly when Mr. Kelly decided to retire. Mr. Disiena said the work at the station is part of state-mandated upgrades Shell must meet.
“Shell had to upgrade the storage tanks for environmental reasons,” Mr. Disiena said. “The new tanks will comply with future regulations.”
Mr. Disiena said Shell is installing a set of double-walled storage tanks. He already put new car lifts in the service bays and recently completed renovations to the store.
“The store is going to be a bit bigger and we may bring some new things in,” he said.
Mechanics Mike Tomanelli and Tony Legan remain at the station along with long-time manager John Jones. The store and service bays are open, although Mr. Disiena said the station as a whole is running “with a skeleton crew” until he completes all the work.
Mr. Disiena dispelled rumors the station was either changing brands or closing, saying Shell was eager to begin the work on replacing the tanks but didn’t have the replacements ready until earlier this month.
“We’re going to get the tanks in as soon as we can expedite it,” he said. “Shell was really eager to start the work but had trouble locating the new tanks.”
He said he expects installation to begin next week.
“I’ve known Tom a long time and when he said he wanted to retire, we considered it the best deal possible,” he said.
The Ridgefield Shell station is the Mr. Disiena’s fourth gas station. He owns two Shell stations and a Sunoco station in Westchester County, N.Y.
He said one reason why he decided to buy the station was its location.
“It’s probably the best location in Ridgefield for a gas station,” he said. “It’s right there when you get into the business area.”
Mr. Disiena said he expects the work to take another “four to six weeks.” He is also planning to have a grand re-opening.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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