I think this Sunoco has more than a quality interior, they have staff like Julie who keep this…read morestore warm and hospitable for mired travelers like myself and my child.
There are some oddities you'll need to note when I first paid for gas with my debit. Yes, this is dangerous at other locations so be wary of card skimmers attached to the gas pump. My own debit transaction got canceled due to this gas stop being commonly for truckers or other high-capacity fuel tankers, so I couldn't afford the minimum debit hold that my bank used, which holds beyond $100. Instead, they recommended I transact as credit and sure enough, I could. There I was, hours later, when my car was unable to start and my child and I were mired. Instead of feeling alien to them because we were in a corporate store, I felt more at home and even warm to hang out. It'd be like the movie Clerks if it were less absurd and more like a family.
Julie and her teammates made sure to answer questions I had, and Julie even checked in with my child with a bit of entertainment. I have never had this quality of warmth and service at a gas station convenience store, even with my children--I know because before my car had broken down, we were inside just looking at things to purchase before "resuming our trip" and they were warm then as well. Before I left, I made sure to let them know that this store had to be doing something right for Sunoco and the local populace. I saw another review from someone who wrote it in French, so perhaps Quebequois or other international travelers appreciate this Sunoco. I felt similarly when I saw they had a chocolate wafer cone that attracted my attention and was from Dubai.
I hope that you have the same experience I had--not of your car breaking down and wishing this Sunoco had an attached hotel or lounge. Instead, I felt like a local who was part of the community, and I think that's because this station has kept quality staff who keeps the spirits of this place alive. Even if they change the inside, outside, or the sign, it's the wisdom and heart of the people who make sure it's warm for travelers that get you stopping here, and not at the Shell across the street.
Thank you.
