First gas station opens downtown in decades

ALBANY, Ga. — Brad Lanier Oil Co. opened its ninth Homerun Foods store in Albany on Thursday. The new gas station/convenience store is the first fueling station to be located downtown in more than two decades.

“I think the the last service station to be located downtown was an Esso station where the civic center is now,” Brad Lanier Oil President Hans Pomeroy said.

The new station, located at 309 W. Oglethorpe across from the bus station, is just one of the latest surges in business activity in the downtown area.

“We chose that location because of the traffic flow in that area and that there is no other store (on Oglethorpe) between the river bridge and Slappey Blvd.” Pomeroy said. “We think the store has tremendous potential.

“Plus there could also be a new development across the street that would only add to the business.”