Entrepreneur Steve Weller is bringing a personal touch to West Sidney, Ohio with the opening of his full-service gas station. This is a venture that reflects the importance of personalized service in business that he’s honed over 30 years in the community. Weller’s new station is located at 9429 Canora Rd, and it will offer services that go beyond the pump, similar to the full-service stations of his youth in Australia.
“When I was a boy, I’d pump gas and clean car windows for two cents a window,” Weller recalled. “That kind of personal service has stuck with me, and I want to bring that same experience to West Sidney.”
Weller’s gas station is more than just a place to refuel. He plans to offer tire pressure checks, window cleaning, and build relationships with customers, which are services that are rare in today’s self-service world.
A Legacy of Customer-Centric Businesses
This isn’t Weller’s first business in Sidney. Since 1993, he has opened and operated several businesses, including restaurants, body shops, gyms, and a liquor store, always with the same dedication to customer service.
“We’ve had eight different businesses over the years,” Weller said. “It started with a small cafe, then we expanded into a body shop and eventually branched out into other areas. Each time, it was about finding what the community needed.”
Weller’s decision to open the station stems from his commitment to ensuring West Sidney residents have the same access to services as the rest of the town. “The highway can be a barrier for people, especially the elderly. Folks here deserve the same convenience, and we want to provide that,” Weller noted.
Building a Community Hub
The new gas station is located next to Clair Downey Service, a long-standing automotive repair shop that’s been in operation since 1951. Weller is determined to create a community hub where locals can access honest, reliable services. “Sidney’s businesses that last are the ones that offer honest, good service,” Weller said. “In a small town like this, word gets around. You have to do right by your customers.”
The gas station’s first sale happened by chance. It was made to a couple who needed to refuel their rental car. “We weren’t officially open yet, but everything was ready, so we helped them out. It was our first $29 of gas sold,” Weller said with a smile.
Operating as an independent station, Weller’s business will source fuel from multiple distributors, including Chevron, Shell, and Exxon, while maintaining competitive pricing. “We won’t make as much as the big multinationals, but that’s not the point. It’s about serving the community,” he added.
Weller’s venture not only fills a gap in the West Sidney area but also reintroduces the human touch to a service that has become increasingly automated. His philosophy is simple: treat customers like family and provide a level of service that keeps them coming back, similar to entrepreneurs reviving traditional services.
