By Heather Clower
The Parsons Advocate
Upon Sheetz closing its doors permanently on September 26, there will be four options for fueling within the Tucker County lines, two of them are in fact 24-hour fueling and convenience stations as of 2012. Three of these are situated in the Thomas and Davis region of the county, while the fourth is nearer the Parsons Community of Bretz.
When traveling on WV32 towards Thomas, the first station you will come to is Mt. Top Convenience, formerly referred to as “Doc’s”. This is one of the stations that is not operating on a 24-hour schedule. Their hours of business are 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Sundays. They offer gasoline and on-road diesel fuel, however there is no kerosene pump. Owner Michael Markwood stated they are working towards providing off road diesel fuel in the very near future as well. In addition to fuel, they offer a variety of goods on the interior of the store, ranging from lottery tickets, quick grab snacks, and your typical convenience items. Mt. Top offers a deli, hot foods such as pizza and subs, and ice-cream. This station does happen to have a few vacancies available, and would like to extend a welcome to apply to those who are not wishing to transfer out of Tucker County when Sheetz locks their doors.
While continuing your travels to Canaan Valley on WV32, your next option is located at the intersection of the entrance to Blackwater Falls State Park. The BFS station, owned by Bruceton Farm Service of Morgantown, is part of the Blackwater Plaza and is one of the two 24-hour stations remaining open not only at the pumps, but inside the store. Assistant manager Stella Firl informed gasoline and on-road diesel fuel, this station offers kerosene to customers. Inside the establishment, this BFS offers lottery tickets, Western Union money orders, pizza, subs, and grab and go sandwiches in addition to your typical convenience products.
Also owned by Bruceton Farm Service of Morgantown, the second BFS location on the straight in Canaan Valley situated across from Big John’s Restaurant. Also a 24-hour option with gasoline and on-road diesel fuel available, this BFS does not offer kerosene. They have similar options inside as the Blackwater Plaza location, with grab and go cold sandwiches and convenience store choices, but they also offer a Subway located inside. However, Subway does not operate on the same 24-hour schedule, they are in handcrafting subs and other meals Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. Saturdays 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. and Sundays 9 a.m. through 10 p.m.
Just inside the Randolph County line, in the area of Dry Fork, there is one last station our county residents frequent often. Camdens Corner Mart owner Linda Rodehaver stated their hours of operation are 6 a.m. through 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Friday and Saturday 6 a.m. until 9 p.m., and Sunday is 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Camdens offers gasoline and on road diesel fuel, as well as a small grocer inside. They have a well stocked deli with offerings such as burgers and fries, hoagies, pizza, soups, and biscuits with homemade gravy served all day.
After September 26, the only station in the Parsons region of the county will be Jim’s All Star. Pam Nestor, store clerk, said currently this establishment has the following operating hours: Monday through Friday 5 a.m. through 11 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. through 11 p.m., and Sunday 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. Jim’s offers gasoline and as of September 20, both their on-road and off-road diesel pump is once again operable, yet they do not offer kerosene. Inside, the service station boasts a variety of hot foods with a daily special, pizza, produce, lottery tickets, and your typical convenience store options.
Local county and city officials have stated on social media that there are plans of something else being put in the current Sheetz location, however the details of what this business may be have yet to be disclosed.
