FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Quarles Petroleum Inc., a regional provider of residential and commercial fuels has purchased the propane and petroleum operations of Dixie Gas & Oil Corp., a family-owned propane, commercial fuels and home heating oil distributor based in Verona, Va.
“I’m pleased to share the news that Quarles has acquired the propane and petroleum operations of Dixie Gas & Oil Corp. from the Earhart family,” said Paul Giambra, president and CEO of Quarles Petroleum. “As family-owned businesses, our companies share the same core values of service to our customers and giving back to community. We look forward to working with Dixie’s associates and welcoming them and Dixie’s customers to the Quarles family.”
Established as the Dixie Bottle Gas Co. in 1946 by Dennis Earhart and his father, Roy, the firm initially provided propane cylinder exchange services in the post-World War II housing boom. The company grew its propane businesses and also expanded its product offerings to include heating oil, gasoline, motor oil, tires, batteries and other automotive accessories before changing its name to Dixie Gas & Oil Corp. in 1963. It entered the convenience store industry in the 1970s, eventually operating six c-stores and six Subway restaurants before divesting them to GoMart in 2015.
The company has evolved as a diversified provider of products and services in the areas of propane, heating oils, motor fuels and lubricants, and it services more than 10,000 residential customers in 17 counties in central and western Virginia. The company operates five bulk plants including a rail terminal in Verona, as well as four retail offices with appliance showrooms.
“We believe that Dixie’s customers will be in great hands with Quarles,” said Christopher Earhart, president of Dixie Gas & Oil and a member of the third generation of the Earhart family to own and operate the firm. “Our family has invested 75 years in Dixie, we’re pleased that the Quarles family has a similar history in the industry and, as a family-owned firm, understands our commitment to our customers.”
Established in 1940 by Douglas Earle Quarles, Sr. as a one-truck oil company in Warrenton, Va., Quarles Petroleum is a regional provider of residential propane and oil, commercial delivered fuels, fleet card sites and services and lubricants. The third-generation, family-owned firm with headquarters in Fredericksburg, Va., services customers in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Quarles strives to provide superior customer service and competitive prices every day.
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