MASSILLON, Ohio -- Marathon gasoline will be sold at BellStore gas stations and convenience stores in Stark, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties in Ohio, according to The Canton Repository.
Campbell Oil Co., which owns the BellStores, reached an agreement with Marathon, ending its partnership with CITGO Petroleum Corp., whichas reported in CSP Daily Newsannounced last month it will stop distributing gasoline in Ohio and nine other states to strengthen its business.
It has always been our desire to partner with local businesses in our [image-nocss] marketplace that keep people employed here, said Brian Burrow, president of Massillon, Ohio-based Campbell Oil. We need to support the companies that manufacture here to keep our communities strong.
Campbell Oil chose Marathon because Marathon has a refinery in Stark County, Burrow said. Findlay, Ohio-based Marathon also offers a 5% rebate on gasoline to Marathon Chase MasterCard customers, he said.
Contracting with Marathon helps make BellStores more efficient and competitive in the local market, Burrow added. Campbell had negotiated with Marathon and three other major oil companies, the report said.
CITGO has been an outstanding provider for Campbell, Burrow said previously, but the local company already had considered alternatives to the Venezuela-owned company because Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has made anti-American comments about the country and President Bush.
Marathon also will supply the BellStores in Medina, Summit and Ashland counties, the report said.
The conversion to Marathon gasoline at BellStores should be completed by Thanksgiving, Burrow said. Signs, decals on gasoline pumps, canopies over the pumps and computer software will have to be changed, he added.
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