Gary’s Marathon takes hit

For many who are still working or taking care of loved ones, gasoline tanks still need to be filled and auto repair still needs to be made for their vehicles.

But despite the need for auto maintenance, some smaller gas station like Gary’s Marathon, 2312 Garfield Blvd. in Lorain, the state of Ohio’s stay-at-home order and fear of novel coronavirus spread has significantly slowed business.

Gary Luman, owner of the gas station, said business already was slow before the COVID-19 virus gained traction in the area, now dropped from a normal 40 to 50 customers a day to 10 to 20 in a matter of two or three weeks.

“Its all but come to a screeching halt businesswise,” Luman said.

Luman’s gas station provides full service by pumping gas for customers and he runs an auto repair service out of his location.

Despite regulars coming to get work done on their vehicles, he said everything has been quiet at the station.

There is, however, an appeal to having someone else at the pump for customers, Luman said.

“People about being contaminated by the virus by touching pumps and nozzles,” he said, adding that the station regularly cleans its pumps.

Customers can pull up to the pump and not even get out of their cars.

Luman said while he makes a majority of his money as a mechanic, having the pumps available draws people in for additional services.

“It all brings the customers in,” he said. “That’s the key to get them.”

With gas prices dropping, Luman said his small business also struggles to keep up with larger stations, since the smaller ones tend to get locked into higher prices for longer due to the smaller amount of gas that is purchase and consumed.

He said dropping gas prices allows stations to bring in more customers for different purchases, especially for those that also run convenience stores out of the station.

Since Gary’s Marathon isn’t located in a high-traffic area, Luman said he will rely on local support more than ever.

“In a neighborhood business, you need neighborhood support,” he said. “When a small business can’t compete, that’s why they close.”

Shutting down his business, however, is not an option for Luman.

“As long as I can pay my guy and I can make a few bucks, I’m not worried about that,” he said.

JORDANA JOY — THE MORNING JOURNAL Gary Luman, owner of Gary’s Marathon, fills a tank up at his gas station at 2312Garfield Blvd. in Lorain. His business has taken a hit since the coronavirus outbreak and stay-athome order over the past few weeks.