|
Third-generation service station shuts doors in Downtown Benton |
|
|
Friday, 26 June 2009 |
A Benton institution, another victim of the current lagging economy, closed its doors late this morning.
Himes Service Center at 303 N. Main, located across from the Saline County Courthouse, ceased operations this morning.
The station has been in operation through three generations of the Himes family — George Himes; his son, David Himes; and David Himes’ two sons, Matt and Mark.
Some activity was taking place early today at the station, but its gasoline pumps already had been locked. Then shortly after 10 a.m., the front door was locked.
and the door was posted with a sign saying "Closed for good."
"It's an unexpected closing due to financial problems with the gas company," Mark Himes said. "It's going to make a lot of people sad. We have a lot of widowed ladies who are going to be upset because they don't know how to pump gas."
The business offered full service along with self-service options.
David Himes learned Thursday that the business would have to close, his son said.
"My brother Matt was working there all the time," Matt said. "This was his only job. He started working there when he was 16 and he's now 25."
A favorite part of the business for customers was visiting with the three cats that resided at the station, Matt Himes said.
"They're safe at home now. We hated to move them, but we didn't have any choice."
George Himes opened the business many years ago after moving to the Benton area from Pennsylvania, a Benton native recalled.
|
Razorbacks
