Ryan’s Garage is not giving its customers much to run on these days. The gas station’s recent closure is only supplying fuel for rumours.
Jan. 9 Front Page
The landmark fueling stop at Alcove reportedly closed for the holidays and many regular customers expected it to reopen in the new year.
It hasn’t happened. There’s a foot of snow on the concrete pad at the pumps, a ‘Closed’ sign hangs from the office door and vehicles at the site remain buried under the white stuff. That did not keep people from pulling into the station the past week.
No one seems to know whether the closure is temporary or permanent and Low Down calls to the owners have gone unanswered.
On Dec. 27, the “Wakefield” Facebook page posted a notice, that Ryan’s Garage is “closed at the present time, and (they) are thinking whether they will re-open this coming January 2013.”
Gatineau Hills residents have since posted Facebook messages about the longtime fixture, asking when it will open next – or if it ever will.
The garage has also cancelled its advertisements in the Low Down “until further notice.”
Wakefield resident Jeremy Day was hoping to buy gas for his snowblower last week.
“It is my only spot for gasoline,” he said, wondering where he would go next. “The only other place I know is Chelsea really (the Parkway General Store), and they’re probably going to close, anyway. Everyone else is.”
Dan Faasen, the co-owner of La Vallee Restaurant, said it’s tough for a gas station owner to make a profit in the Gatineau Hills. He tried opening a gas stop at his Hwy 105 restaurant location near the Hwy 5 overpass, but given the provincial rules and gasoline companies rates, he would only earn about four cents profit on each litre sold.
“What a shame – we have no gas from here to Low,” said Faasen, who had heard the Ryan’s closure was only temporary. “I knew it was going to happen. The margins are too low.”
Doug Ryan previously owned the garage, which was started by his father, Harvey Ryan. The younger Ryan – whom Faasen described as the “pillar” of the business – passed away in January 2010 at the age of 66. He left the garage to friends and family members.
Gatineau Hills gas stops
Chelsea
Epicerie Generale du Parc, 244 Old Chelsea Rd.
Cantley
Petro-Canada, 890 Montee de la Source Rd.
Masham
NAPA AutoPro – Garage J F Gauvreau Inc., 164 ch. Principale Ouest.
Low
Depanneur Morris O’Connor, 304 Hwy 105
Kazabazua
Esso, 357 Hwy 105
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Very very sad. One generation builds it up and the next tears it down. Doug & Maxine dedicated their life to the business and clients! Unfortunately, they both left this world much too early to fully enjoy the benefits of their long work days and nights. Some people were fortunate to reap the Ryans’ labour intensive profits for a short time but unwilling to provide the same efforts as the original ‘Ryans’. The whole corner in Alcove has become ‘trashville’! Shame!
you know what? that comment above is mean-spirited and uncalled for. any small business struggles to survive in this area, and there are many reasons things succeed or fail, and it is not up to anyone to judge or hypothesize on someone else’s work ethic from afar.
The comment above is in no way mean spirited and definitely much closer than you may think. I do agree with you that is extremely difficult for small businesses to survive, I’m sure no one would dispute that fact. However, there are not too many businesses that I’m aware of that are established, profitable, client-service oriented and cost the new owners/managers nothing but to take over and maintain. Its not like it was complete strangers or outsiders with no previous experience taking over – yet still the wheels fall off? And, what about other small businesses who did support Ryan’s by buying parts, gas and paying for mechanical services? For example contractors oh yes and those boys that keep your roads clear so everyone can get to their respective jobs and businesses? But, if everyone is getting along fine without Ryan’s now I wonder how much support they’ll get if they decide to put the wheels back on? Just saying…..