San Juan Bautista
– Next stop? Not San Juan Bautista if you need to fill up.
San Juan Bautista – Next stop? Not San Juan Bautista if you need to fill up.
After 17 years, the 76 station on the corner of Monterey and Muckelemi streets – the city’s only gas station – closed at the start of July.
Many residents are concerned because they can no longer continue their habit of purchasing just enough gas to buy cheaper fuel elsewhere. Station owner Kay Boyce displayed a sign at the station citing financial hardship and struggles with the landlord as reasons for closing permanently.
“We have tried for five years to ensure that the gas station remain open, but our ability to stay financially afloat has been compromised by the current landowner,” the sign read.
Landlord Kathleen Manning filed a civil suit against Kay and Jeffery Boyce, who own the station, in 2005 for lease violations. The Boyces could not be reached for comment.
City Manager Jan McClintock said it’s the first time in her memory that San Juan Bautista has been without a service station.
“We’re very concerned,” McClintock said. “We don’t know what to do about it.”
The closest gas station is at the intersection of Highway 101 and San Juan Road seven miles away. But with a dangerous left-hand turn across traffic to drive back into San Juan Bautista, residents are left with only one convenient option, McClintock said.
“Drive to Hollister,” McClintock said. “What’s the choice? There’s not much we can do.”
Al Gallego, who sat outside Mom and Pop’s Bar in San Juan Bautista on Thursday afternoon, said most of the drivers he knows fuel up in Hollister already.
“A lot of people used to go over (to the 76 station) and get one or two gallons of gas, and then go over to Hollister,” Gallego said.
Some residents complained about the station’s hefty prices. Julie Lanser said prices could be 30 cents higher at the 76 than at other gas stations in the area.
“I don’t get gas there anyway,” Lanser said. “It’s too expensive.”
Despite those prices, others are concerned by the closure.
San Juan Bautista resident Jeff Cousins said he’ll miss the convenience of the 76 station.
“Especially if you needed a gallon of gas for your lawn mower,” Cousins said.
And with a city that draws visitors from afar, officials are concerned the gas station closure will leave not only locals stranded, but also tourists.
“We’ve actually had people run out of gas, and it’s a real challenge,” McClintock said.
There are two other locations zoned for gas stations, on the north and south sides of Highway 156 at The Alameda, McClintock said.
McClintock stressed that the city needs a station. But because of budget woes, San Juan Bautista will not campaign to attract a new one, McClintock said.
“We’re not going to be actively pursuing anything,” McClintock said.
The city may just have to wait until someone else reopens the 76 station. Manning has yet to regain possession of the service station, but hopes the matter will be resolved soon, she said.
“Hopefully someone – not me – will reopen it as a service station,” Manning said.
Manning said she has been in talks with the Boyces for four years. The talks began over what Manning said were violations of a 30-year lease. Manning said the Boyces are longtime family friends, but she has not spoken with Kay Boyce in more than three years.
“Basically, we know as much as everyone else knows,” Manning said.
