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L&M Oil Inc. takes over Canonsburg Sunoco

2 min read
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The Sunoco gas station on West Pike Street in Canonsburg is getting the borough’s name for its moniker as it switches hands from Councilman Rich Russo to L&M Oil Inc.

A deed transfer filed in Washington County shows Russo sold the property to L&M Oil for $200,000 July 30. The new operators of Canonsburg Sunoco said they’ve been managing the station since Aug. 1. It will stay full service, honor Shop ‘n Save fuel perk discounts and operate more as a “grocer than a regular convenience store,” according to L&M partner Paul Lathia.

“We’re also seeking a beer distributor license for the location so we can sell cases there, as well. And we hope to have that completed within six months,” Lathia said.

Lathia’s operating partner, Mike Patel, said the plan is to keep it full service, but they will re-evaluate if it makes sense to keep attendants at the pumps, or have them serve as indoor cashiers and stockers.

“We don’t know yet. We’re going to re-evaluate after six months to see what people want, and what makes sense,” Patel said, “and so we’ll definitely be looking for cashiers, but we don’t know (if we’ll hire) more gas station attendants; maybe more managers as time goes on.”

Part of what makes sense to L&M is offering beer on the premises, and that won’t be known for six months, either.

“We’re trying. We’re going to try to get the permit unless there are some real protests against it,” Lathia said.

L&M Oil owns and operates two other gas stations or convenience stores in the county, a Valero on Route 19 in Washington and a Cogo’s in Houston.

Russo declined to comment for this story.

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