Drivers flock for station’s cheap gas

By SHELBY SCHROEDER

Low prices at the pump relieved some residents’ woes.

YOUNGSTOWN — Many drivers on Belmont Avenue got an unusual surprise at the pump: lower gas prices.

The gas station Ultimate Food Mart near St. Elizabeth Health Center began offering regular unleaded gas for $3.59 per gallon around 11 a.m. Friday to the delight of area drivers.

“I almost ran out [of gas] just to get some here,” said Mon-T Ladson of Youngstown, who said he passed several other stations to get the deal.

Like others waiting in the tangled lines of cars in the lot, Ladson caught lower prices at the station by coincidence.

Most drivers said they happened to drive by and notice the price. What also was surprising to some was how quickly the lines moved to fill up.

“We’ve waited about two minutes,” said North Sider Francine Fields. “I drove past, but didn’t have any money, so I ran home real quick and came back.”

As soon as Fields saw the prices, she alerted her nephew to the deal.

To keep order among eager drivers, taxed by the summer’s rising gas prices, station owner Mike Singh and employee Kenny Burton directed traffic in the lot.

But few drivers showed distress at the small station, even with as many as 20 cars tightly wedged in winding lines.

While people were happy with the gas prices at Ultimate Food Mart, many were quick to dismiss the idea that $3.59 was really a deal.

“It needs to come down more,” said Obie McBride of Youngstown. “People’s money is too short to pay so much for gas.”

McBride says he relies a lot on his van for transportation because of difficulty he has walking.

Ladson said gas prices are even too high to operate his small sedan.

“If I go any smaller [in choosing a vehicle], I’ll need to get a moped,” he said.

Others tried not to complain.

“It’s really bad at $3.59, but compared to what it used to be, I’m accepting it,” said Angela Shaw of Youngstown’s South Side. “I’m enjoying it.”