NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The new sign at Anthony Zabatta's Car Wash King location at in North Providence, R.I., sports a new logo and name, Irving, which Zabatta said will bring new customers to the gas station he has run for more than 10 years. Meanwhile, the Rocchio family is flying a new flag, as well. Their full-service gas station in Cranston, R.I., is the newest Irving location in Rhode Island. Irving Oil has been steadily establishing itself in Rhode Island for the past six months.
Zabatta recently signed on as a new dealer for Irving Oil, the energy refiner and [image-nocss] supplier that was founded in 1924. The Portsmouth, N.H.-based energy refiner and supplier has had a long-term presence in northern New England, but for the past six months has been steadily establishing itself in Rhode Island.
"This is a busy, friendly, family-run business, and we could not be happier that Anthony is the one who will introduce the Irving name to the North Providence area," said Harry Hadiaris, general manager of Irving Oil Marketing Inc.
Anthony Zabatta runs the business with his wife, Xiomara, and his father Frank. The business employs 10 people. The Car Wash King site not only has the car wash, but also features a full convenience store and offers the Rhode Island Lottery, Budget Rent-A-Truck and NFC Express delivery service.
"We're a local business with a great reputation and I was looking for a solid partner that has a commitment to quality products and service. Irving offered all of that to me, and I'm looking forward to a long association with them," said Zabatta. "With Irving's competitive pricing and the additional savings that the Override program offers, our customers will be very happy."
Irving sales representative Tim Winters added that Rhode Island continues to be a strong market for the Irving brand, and he hopes to continue to grow the brand in the Ocean State.
Meanwhile, Peter and Marie Rocchio, along with their sons, Paul and Phil, have been in the retail gas business since 1970. Their site is called Park Avenue Gas. The former service station has been transformed into a convenience retail location with the Irving brand of motor fuels.
"We did our homework on Irving," said Phil Rocchio, "And we found they have the same values as we do. They have a commitment to quality products, good customer service, and they are a family-owned business. Like us, Irving is committed to supporting the communities where they do business."
Park Avenue Gas has 10 employees, and a full-service island. "We'll check your oil, clean your windows, check the pressure in your tireswhich is the kind of old-fashioned service you don't see too much of any more," said Paul Rocchio.
"What makes Irving unique, and what will allow the Rocchio brothers to offer competitively priced fuel, is that we have a refinery just hours up the coast in Saint John, New Brunswick," said Hadiaris. "We can have a tanker in the port of Providence in hours, if we have to, where other suppliers may take days. That's energy security, and that's what the Rocchios will be able to offer their customers, day after day."
Rhode Island sales representative Tim Winters said each new acquisition in Rhode Island continues to prove that the state is a good fit for the 85-year old Irving company.
"If anyone is interested in exploring a partnership with us, please give us a call," said Winters.
Both locations will also begin offering the Override gasoline savings program on February 27. Customers can earn gasoline savings by shopping at their local participating Shaw's Supermarket. They can redeem their savings at Car Wash King and Park Avenue Gas, as well as other participating Irving locations in Rhode Island. A minimum grocery purchase of $50 at Shaw's earns shoppers 10 cents per gallon off their next gasoline purchase, up to 20 gallons. The more customers spend on groceries, the more they will save. Override has saved customers throughout New England more than $10 million since the program began more than a year ago.
Founded in 1924, Irving Oil is a leading regional petroleum refining, distribution and marketing company with a history of long-term partnerships and relationships. The company serves retail, commercial, industrial, and residential customers in Eastern Canada and New England with a range of finished energy products and complementary services. The company offers fuel at more than 700 locations in Atlantic Canada and New England, including company-operated, leased and independent sites.
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