Years ago my Dad owned and operated his APCO station on the East Side of Town and across the street from Estherville High School (Home of the Mighty Midgets!). One of his main competitors was Bunny Houseman, of which his sons continue the Riverside Sinclair tradition 65 years later. I sometimes think of what might have happened if I decided to take over my Father's business as well. I don't think I could have done as well. Instead, I ended up working for Big Oil in other ways.
Those brief thoughts only really come to mind when I stop at Riverside Sinclair to gas up on my way through town. The main Station pretty much looks the same and still features a full service garage. Houseman Oil has also expanded up Central Avenue and I hear into one or more convenience stores. It's an impressive operation.
The only lingering question that I have is why gasoline prices are exactly the same no matter where in Estherville or Spirit Lake I go? Is this one big gasoline pricing zone? And while I'm on this subject, it is kind of interesting that because of the ethanol content (and subsidy), premium is cheaper than regular in Iowa. read more