BECKLEY, W.Va. -- Little General Store Inc. has acquired Main Street Exxon in Spencer, W.Va., and Hil-Mart Exxon in Ripley, W.Va., from the Harris Oil Co.
Spenser-based Harris Oil, founded in 1965, is a Pennzoil distributor serving the central West Virginia region. In 1997, the company purchased the direct distribution business of Pennzoil Products Co. located in Charleston, W.Va., becoming one of the largest distributors for the installed motor oil market in the region. It has added the full line of Quaker State products and has become a Shell-brand distributor with a complete line of product offerings, including commercial, industrial and passenger car products.
Little General Store's director of retail, Brian Waugh said, "Located contiguous to our existing territory, these two locations have been known for providing quality customer service with strong ties to their communities for many years. We are excited about the possibilities of these two locations, and we would like to thank the Harris family for everything they've done to build these businesses."
These two locations will also have an ATM, New River Coffee and "everyday value" on staples such as grocery, milk, ice cream, pop, snacks, beer, sandwiches, cigarettes and tobacco.
At the Spencer location, the company has short-term plans to add some type of foodservice in the area adjacent to the store that was formerly occupied by a Blimpie Sub Shop.
At the Ripley location, it will continue to operate the Sub Express/Pizza Primo that is inside the store, and it will also be adding a beer cave.
Waugh added, "We are very excited to welcome the employees and customers of these two locations to the Little General Family. ... We look forward to meeting the convenience needs of the people in Roane, Jackson and surrounding counties for many years to come by offering everything to everyone. ... We look forward to leveraging our strengths and operating capability to further expand the Little General business model to the residents of central West Virginia."
Beckley, W.Va.-based Little General Store, owned by Cory Beasley and Greg Darby, is an 86-location convenience store chain with 84 stores in West Virginia and two stores in Virginia. The company also has two stores currently under construction in Beckley and Pineville, W.Va., that will open sometime during the fourth quarter of 2011.
The company also is a franchisee for 28 Subways, 15 Godfather's Pizza's, 11 Sam's Hot Dog Stands, seven Burger King's, six Arby's, four Taco Bell's, four Krispy Krunchy Chicken's, two Steak Escapes, one Custard Stand Hot Dog Chili and the 79er Restaurant in Burnsville, W.Va. Including the 14 freestanding foodservice locations, the company operates a total of 100 locations.
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