North Hill stations battle it out with $2.99-a-gallon gasoline

Dec. 18—The neighboring Valero and 7-Eleven on the North Hill are battling it out, selling self-serve unleaded gas for $2.99 a gallon.

Sam Emeeshat, owner of Valero at 509 Highland Ave., says he started the price war. Stacy Heaney, general manager of the 7-Eleven at 608 Highland Ave., takes the credit.

Jim Magliocca really doesn't care, he just likes saving the twice weekly, 15-minute trips to Ohio to fill up.

"I love it," the 55-year-old trucker said while pumping $20 worth of gas into his sport utility vehicle at the 7-Eleven on Tuesday.

The gas war between the two stations began about two weeks ago. Emeeshat, who lowered the price from $3.05 a gallon, hopes to continue through the holiday season. Heaney, who reduced the price from $3.39 a gallon, hopes to continue "as long as we are able."

Both said they lowered prices for customer appreciation and to help folks during the holidays.

According to GasBuddy.com, the West Side Mini Mart at 407 W. Washington St. lowered its gasoline to $2.99 a gallon.

Emeeshat, who has owned the Valero for 23 years, said business has increased about 10 percent.

"I'm getting customers I've never seen before," he said. "I see customers coming from Wilmington, coming from everywhere."

Sixty percent of his gas-buying customers also purchase something in his store.

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Heaney said the 7-Eleven has seen a 20-percent increase in business and estimates that 80 to 90 percent of those who buy gas also make a purchase at the store, where the prices have been lowered 10 to 20 cents per item.

Both stations are selling gas far below last week's average of $3.53 a gallon in western Pennsylvania, which fell eight cents a gallon from the previous week, according to AAA East Central's Gas Price Report.

In New Castle, the average price was $3.33 a gallon. The national average had fallen nine cents since last week to $3.15.

The main reason is a weaker cost for oil, which is struggling to stay above $70 per barrel, according to AAA. The falling price comes just a week after OPEC+ announced voluntary production cuts of about 2 million barrels daily.

As for Magliocca, he keeps an eye open for the best prices when it comes to gas. The New Castle man recently purchased gasoline in Ohio for $2.69 a gallon. Ohio's tax on gasoline is 38.5 cents per gallon compared to Pennsylvania's at 61 cents per gallon.

As long as Valero and 7-Eleven keep prices at $2.99 a gallon, he will likely split his business between the two stations.

Tony Martin appreciates the price break. The 28-year-old East Side warehouse worker buys $10 of gas at a time.

"People like it," Martin said while at the Valero on Monday.

"Thank God," was Ann Veglia's reaction to the lower gas prices while filling her vehicle at Valero.

"I would normally go to Ohio," the New Castle woman said.