Hess Quits Retail Gas Business
The NJ-based oil business will shed 1,350 gas stations, many of which operate in New Jersey and 17 other Eastern states
Hess gas stations that pepper main highway corridors in Monmouth County will be shuttered as the parent company moves to close more than 1,300 retail gas stations throughout the east.
Hess Corporation said Monday in a letter to shareholders at their annual meeting that it was divesting itself of its retail gasoline and convenience store operations in an effort to restructure the company and improve its balance sheet.
The move will affect 1,350 gas stations — many owned by Hess itself — that operate in 18 states on the Eastern Seaboard, including several in the area in West Long Branch and Middletown as well as other local towns. The gas stations serve as many as 1.3 million customers a day.
Hess representatives did not say when they would begin either closing or selling off their gas stations, although a press release accompanying the news said that the gas stations closure, along with other moves to improve the company's bottom line, would be instituted between now and 2014.
"Our long-standing commitment to deliver secure supply, competitive prices, and industry-leading service to our customers is part of our brand and will not change. Operated by great people, our businesses are strong, profitable and will be well situated for the future," the release said.
The move is part of Hess' multi-year effort transform itself into an oil "exploration and production" firm, the release said.
The changes began in January, when Hess announced it would be permanently shutting its oil refineries, including the one located in Woodbridge.
Hess representatives said the company was leaving the gasoline refining business because of weak demand and the cost of complying with EPA regulations. It was closed last month.
Ron Peck
5:51 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Where is a HESS in shrewsbury? I think shrewsbury only has one Luke oil left in all of shrewsbury. After 7-11 opens at the Shell across the street from that one we wont even have Luke oil.
I love that stretch of shrewsbury. Empty grocery store. Empty car lot. Empty lot where bowling alley was. It reminds me of all the holes in little silver where the gas stations went out.
Lovely looking. I am sure it is not helping the tax payers very much.
I wonder if the shrewsbury CONDO builder is getting ready for more? The giant old folks house looks like a prime spot and its for sale. Can we please do something with Duckworths old gas station. Looks like hell. So do all the old houses on Rt 35 for sale.
My family has lived and payed taxes in shrewsbury from 1903 to this day.
I hope the Verizon building wont sit for years.
Who is the town planner?
Enuf Already
2:19 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Ron Peck- I'm having trouble trying to figure out, a) who you are blaming for closed or relocated businesses, and b) what your solutions are? Or are you just "ranting"?
I say to my staff, "I welcome complaints. But if you're going to complain, be sure to provide your solution as well."
Ed West
10:10 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Here's an idea instead of complaining in an open forum.....come a Council meeting, Planning Board meeting or call Boro Hall and get involved.
Andres Simonson
12:14 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Ed, point taken – but not concurred. There are plenty of reasons why citizens that want to get involved cannot make those public meetings (work schedule conflicts, family obligations, Simpsons on at the same time and no DVR, etc.). An open forum like this, especially when you include your full name, is a great way to opine. It should be a vehicle to continue the debate. Public officials read this stuff – don’t kid yourself otherwise. Unfortunately though, at least in my town, those same officials do not re-engage the public.
Ron Peck
12:58 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
I used my phone
The old bowling alley is sold
The duckworth gas station is sold
Cannot do anything about the only gas station in town except hope they stay in business.
Now onto the MAN WHO HATES SHREWSBURY AND IS VERY VERY RICH.
THE OLD CAR DEALERSHIP BIG RED ONE. He is going to do every thing he can to make shrewsbury mad. Apparently shrewsbury did something to make him mad about the use of that property. So it seems we will be looking at that eyesore for a long while.
OH I have been to meetings then they pull some crap about a SUNSHINE meeting?
That is where they go into a privet room and make the real decisions.
Like I said my family has been in town for over 113 years.
I like this better "open forum so I can get a real opinion on things.WE STILL HAV NOT HAD A HESS IN RED BANK OR SHREWBURY.
SHREWSBURY TOWNSHIP HESS has been out for a long long time.
Ron Peck
1:05 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
I also used to set-up the old meeting room. Paint the meeting room and cut the grass and trimmed the plants around the meeting room. I have also put out fires in town,
as did my grandfather and his grandfather. I have been to the school to teach your kids. I have stood outside in all kinds of weather to help this town. I have spent many many hours in school/training to help this town.
Ron Peck
1:07 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
You would know me by the name YORG.
Ron Peck
1:08 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
thank you for your advice Mr West.
Ron Peck
1:10 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
My brother worked for BIG RED ONE that is how I know what I am talking about.
Any other advice Mr West?
Elaine Van Develde
2:28 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
It's technically in Tinton Falls. My mistake. However, the station is right on the border of Tinton Falls/Shrewsbury on Shrewsbury Avenue.
Jdiddy
5:40 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
That Hess has been closed for *years*. All identifying logos/colors were removed within about 48 hours of its closing.
Ron Peck
3:45 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
My "rant" to me was more like stirring the pot. The grocery store is owned by foodtown right? Can we offer a tax break for someone to take over the empty store?
Maybe someone can get the car dealer un-mad so we can move on?
If you want the HIGH END store's to move into that area we have to make it attractive.
I do know who is going to use the bowling alley property and it's a good thing other then we lost the only indoor family fun center in town. Not much left for the people that live in shrewsbury except for the very nice parks.
You cant even sit down and have a beer in shrewsbury. [shadowbrook]
Ed West
4:02 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Mr. Ron....I can not disagree with anything you stated....however, the easiest way to change things is from the inside, not ranting about it. I suggest you find out what exactly the Sunshine Law is and how it works before you make statements. Using the phone is great to talk to a person, who know if that person sends the message to anyone else......just a thought.
Enuf Already
1:56 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
I'm not so sure "HIGH END" stores a wanted or needed here in Shrewsbury. First, we have plenty of them in the Grove. 2nd, Red Bank saturated themselves with "High End" stores and restaurants, and everywhere you look the town is peppered with vacancies. As for giving a tax break... in these poor economic times, with foreclosures and residents demanding lower property taxes and fighting property assessments "tooth and nail", offering tax breaks would be counter intuitive. The Shadowbrook's decision to discontinue offering food/beverage to the general public was a business financial decision. The borough has no control over that.