| Author | Message | ||
     86129squids |
Since Hugh posted on a couple of other threads about this, I figured it oughta go up in it's own thread... Down in Suches, GA, at the beginning of Wolf Pen Gap road, "Dales/Not Dales" is now Wolf Pen Gap store, and they are in dire straits financially- they've not been able to purchase a load of fuel, and apparently that's a big portion of their income from fuel sales... I remember back to my first visit, to "Dales", and how nice the place was... then, IIRC he had to sell, to folks who seemed hostile to MC folks, and then these good people took over. My last visit there was a few years ago, and even though I only bought gas and snacks, the workers/owners there were genuinely charming, good people! I remember a time when I visited and they WERE'NT open, and it was sucky. I'd hate to see these good folks shut down- so I put up a small donation. "The raindrop becomes the river"... Good BW folks, if you can skip a couple of scratch-offs or whatever to put up a donation, it'd be a good thing. http://www.gofundme.com/wpgcs | ||
| Fb1 |
Worthy cause, IMO. Me 'n D donated last night. Thanks for starting a dedicated thread. FB | ||
| Pwnzor |
Dropped them a Jackson. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Someone pointed out on another thread that there are a couple of other gas stations reasonably close by, but it's hard to beat this one for convenience when you're staying at TWO or riding the loop. | ||
| 86129squids |
Yeah- I DO remember heading down, loaded for bear, with a spare jug of go juice- given the short range of the CityX and my heavy throttle hand, I'd rather not get stranded out on Richard Russell Pky or somewhere else BFE. If I were a member of some of the other local forums, I'd post up there about this too...  | ||
| 86129squids |
I do believe Glitch knows these peeps about as good as anyone... Gman, got $.02 on this? My history of the place is prolly incomplete... | ||
| Hughlysses |
If I were a member of some of the other local forums, I'd post up there about this too... I posted it in the southeast regional forum on ADVrider as well; I figure that'll probably catch a lot of riders familiar with the place. | ||
| Glitch |
They are good people, for sure. Maybe this'll get them through a tough time. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I hope they make it. It's a tough place to be without TWO being there. Now that it's back open (or some version of it) maybe they will survive. | ||
| Ulywife |
Donation made. I remember having to bring gas containers on our trailer several years ago as we were all unsure if gas would be available in Suches. Praying that they can stay in business through this slow time. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Done! What happened to the folks who didn't like motorcycles and didn't want to serve us? | ||
| 86129squids |
I was wondering the same thing... Let's hope and pray that these good peeps can make it through. I do remember seeing several closed storefronts up and down TN68/GA60, several on the approach to Suches. Given the proximity of the Blairsville and Dalhonega Wallyworlds, I'd say things are pretty sparse for making a profitable business out in the boondocks.... | ||
| Hughlysses |
Bump... They're gradually raising money, but they've got a long ways to go to reach their goal. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
not to be a jerk, but what happened to the money from the last load of gas? Clearly they sold it all and should have had, at least, close to the amount needed for the next. Sometimes businesses fail, sometimes people are really great folks but suck at running a business. | ||
| Etennuly |
Where they are located their business is quite seasonal. A lot of their customer base is generated by motorcycle vacationers who, like us, buy 3 gallons at a time. It takes ten bike riders to equal one tank of gas in my Tahoe. I'd think they have to love being there doing what they do. From a business stance it does not make a lot of sense otherwise. I know a couple of people in the small town local gas station business. During their slow months the choice is put their money back in the ground in their tanks or pay the heat bill and taxes. Then they have to build up the funds to buy that first minimum quantity tank of fuel for the season. If their minimum is 4000 gallons that might have cost as much as $10,000 a few months ago. If they make ten to fifteen cents a gallon that is not a lot of profit in a low volume remote area. | ||
| 86129squids |
Bump... Hybrid, I see your point, but I'm with Vern. The challenge is finding a way to engage the local population to come in regularly for some reason- maybe it would be something super tasty/unique to the store, served by someone you'd just love to see every day or so... in sociology/psychology it becomes the "third place": Not home, not work, but a third pace to socialize, engage other folks and friends. Normally churches, bars, and cafes serve this purpose. It's tricky for sure. Maybe if they set up a smoker, did BBQ regularly- which would sell like hotcakes in the warm months to the passers-thru- but with Suches so small, that delicious smoke smell would draw everyone in! A business plan for the entire year would have to have some "hooks" from time to time, big event type gigs to boost revenues... and all efficiencies put in place! Of course I know little of what I speak... Gee I hope they hang in there! Peeps, if you can, shoot them some simoleons!!! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
It's tough to run a business. It's tougher to run a seasonal business. It's tougher still to run a business with razor thin margins. Having a season or three with no TWO means that even the seasonal business is slight. It's hard to keep a business running under those conditions. I'm impressed they've managed this long. | ||
| Prior |
not to be a jerk, but what happened to the money from the last load of gas? The big challenge many mom 'n pop places have is overall turns of their stocks. Say they filled up in the Spring for the summer riding season and paid the going rate of $3.50/gal (or like many small places, had to finance that load of fuel). If they're not turning over a load of fuel every day, or few days, like a large station, they're quickly in a losing battle to price gas to sell vs losing money every time they sell a gallon. This is what has put a lot of small places out of business lately. It's simple economics.  | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
Again, best of luck to them, but sounds like they need to change their business plan (or maybe GET a plan). I am not familiar with Suches, not made it down that way yet. But the way people talk about it, surely car folks go too for the great roads. Think of Deals Gap - how many car clubs go up there? Its not just bikes. Cars, for the most part, can travel there year round, right? Like a commenter said above, they need a hook. Also, your tahoe holds 30 gallons?? Holy moly! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Not as many cars. Think Deal's Gap in the late 80's, early 90's. | ||
| New12r |
This store is in a pretty isolated area. Good folks but little biz locally and during the winter months little to no bike traffic. | ||
| Hughlysses |
I'd think even the cars that do come to ride the roads fill up in Blairsville, Dahlonega or Blue Ridge where they can save a few cents per gallon compared to what these folks have to charge. Most bikes have a lot less range and we're happy to pay for the convenience of being able to top off at the start of one of the best riding loops in the area. |
