Gas signage leading motorists astray

BLUEFIELD — Despite signs indicating otherwise, there are currently no operating gas stations on Cumberland Road, which local businesses say has led to some trouble for tourists and locals alike.

Local businesses say the closest gas station to the exit off 460 onto Cumberland Road is between four to six miles away in Virginia, though highway signs still indicate gas stations off the exit. The only signs of gas stations on Cumberland Road are the Blue Flash gas station, which is now defunct, and the Fast Stop, which operates only as a convenience market.

Ruth Bishop, who works on Cumberland Road, said people come into her place of business, assuming there are convenient gas stations based on signage along 460.

“They come off 77 and 460 and the signs say there are gas stations here, but both of them are shut down,” Bishop said. “These people worry about running out of gas. The city needs to take the signs down.”

Luke Meadows, the manager of Tractor Supply on Cumberland Road, said the store has had several people ask for the nearest station.

“Basically, they get off the interstate and since there’s nothing on John Nash Boulevard, they come down this way and loop around,” Meadows said. “They see the signs at the stop light and turn in to us or Kmart. They’ll ask where the closest station is. There were a couple of stations on the road about two years ago, but they’re closed now.”

Meadows said the lack of gas has inconvenienced the store as well.

“We have to have gas for our power equipment and log splitters,” he said. “Now when we have to fill them, we have to drive four miles to Bluefield, Virginia.”

Meadows said Tractor Supply has bailed out its fair share of vehicles who had run out of gas, expecting a fill-up at the intersection.

“We’ve had people run out of gas in our parking lot,” he said. “We keep five gallons in the back for our power equipment. We’ve had to give people enough to that they could reach the nearest gas station.”

According to Meadows, the signage should be corrected to prevent from confusing motorists.

“A lot of people won’t get off unless they see a sign that indicates a gas station,” he said. “The signs aren’t really false because there is a gas station six or seven miles away, but the signs should be changed to indicate how far away those stations are.”

Meadows believes the intersection would be an ideal place for a gas station to be built.

“I think a gas station would be good around here,” he said. “It could be very successful. Coming north on 77, your last chance to get gas is around Bland.”

Stephen Perry, who works the front desk at the Quality Inn overlooking 460 and Cumberland Road, said guests at the hotel often ask where the nearest gas station is and are directed to Virginia.

“People ask where the nearest one is when they’re checking out, and I tell them to head down to Virginia and get gas, no matter which direction they’re headed,” Perry said.

According to Perry, the cheaper gas in Virginia put the gas stations on Cumberland Road out of business and as long as West Virginia gas is more expensive, Perry does not believe a gas station at the intersection could be maintained.

“I think a lot of people understand now gas stations are cheaper on the Virginia side,” he said. “Anyone would be foolish to build a gas station on this side of the state line because of that 15 cent difference. The Virginia stations have put them all out of business. The West Virginia stations just can’t compete. It couldn’t handle the competition. Even locals use the Virginia stations because gas, cigarettes and beer are cheaper there. It’s all about taxes.”

Marie Blackwell, executive director of the Mercer County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said they have not heard from any of their visitors about the lack of gas stations on Cumberland Road, though they do give directions to visitors searching for gas.

“None of our visitors have commented about Cumberland Road,” she said. “People do come in looking for gas and we tell them about the two stations on Bluefield Avenue.”

Laura Gooch, a regional group coordinator at AAA, has heard stories from various individuals about gas-related issues on Cumberland Road. The incorrect signage is one of the factors she believes has led to people in the area running out of gas.

“We know of local people who have seen people run out of gas,” she said. “We’ve had comments about the locations of gas and the signage there. The signs indicate there is fuel there, but there is not. The signage needs to be changed, which I believe is the responsibility of the Department of Highways.”

Gooch thinks a gas station at the intersection could prosper.

“I have no idea why the other stations on the road are closed,” she said. “It would be a great location because otherwise, people have to wait until they get to the Virginia side for gas.”

Marc Meachum, chairman of the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber did have an incident reported to them of a visitor looking for gas on Cumberland Road.

“We had a call three or four months ago where someone said they had been looking for gass on the road,” he said. “It’s a shame there isn’t a place there on Cumberland Road. There are two stations there that are not operational, but I don’t know what it would take to convince them to put back in and open up their pumps.”

Meachum believes a gas station at the intersection would be a profitable business.

“I would certainly think it would be profitable there because of all the traffic in the area,” he said. “Either there or on John Nash Boulevard right after the tunnel would be a great place for a station.”

Meachum said the Mercer County Economic Development Authority is trying to encourage gas stations to be built in the location.

“The development authority contacts folks at the big gas station chains to ask them to come out and take a look at the area to build a station,” he said. “To me, it’s just a logical place for one.”

— Contact Kate Coil at kcoil@bdtonline.com

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