New gas station, store opens

Published 10:54 am Thursday, October 13, 2016

Murphy USA’s new gas station and store is now open on Peery Drive.

A groundbreaking for the new store — in front of the Walmart Supercenter off South Main Street — took place on May 31.

In a previous interview, Murphy USA District Manager John Addis said the new store is 208 square feet, and offers traditional snacks, beverages, tobacco, lottery tickets and general merchandise, in addition to fuel.

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For several weeks, the site of the store was blocked by construction fencing, leading residents and visitors to question what the project entailed.

The store will be open every day, 6 a.m.-midnight.

Those who use Walmart credit cards or gift cards will see rebates when they pay using the cards, Addis said.

“As with all Murphy USA locations, we offer a (3-cents per gallon) price rollback at the pumps when using a Walmart Gift Card — with a 2 percent statement rebate for Walmart Credit Card users,” he said.

The business is expected to employ five to seven people, including store managers and assistant managers, Addis said.

According to Town Manager Gerald Spates, Murphy USA stores are often found near Walmarts.

“They are not owned by Walmart, but they are connected. You see many Murphy USA stations in front of Walmarts all over,” Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Joy Stump said in a previous interview.

Murphy USA is represented in 24 states and has more than 1,000 stores, according to the the firm’s website.

“Any new business is always good. It brings employment opportunities and adds to our tax base,” Stump said.

Addis added that having more gas stations in town will help to create more competition and, hopefully, lower gas prices.