Owner Dan Bay said he expects the new gas station to bring in new customers to the store. "It's a convenience for our customers to purchase gas and food before leaving the lot," he told the newspaper.
During the grand opening, customers received a free 2-liter of Pepsi for every fillup of 12 gallons or [image-nocss] more. As part of its groceries and fuel rewards program, Food 2 Fuel, customers receive 10 cents off per gallon for every $50 spent in the store, Bay said.
Carnival joins other grocery stores around the area, such as Meijer and Giant Eagle, that offer gasoline services for customers.
"That's great they are finding ways to compete with the big boys," Mike Pettit, Lancaster Economic Development director, told the paper.
Pettit said that the gas station will add to a struggling gasoline market in the Lancaster area. Pettit cited a 2006 retail market analysis estimated residents spent $15 million on gasoline outside Lancaster instead of within the city limits.
Bay said that while he is happy to be competing with the larger chains, he was simply following his father's advice. "He said 'you have to stay up with the times and take care of your customers'; and that's what we're trying to do," he told the Eagle-Gazette.
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