Store plans major expansion

Blue Earth area residents will soon have another gas stationto fuel up their vehicles, according to local businessmen Tom and Tim Juba. Juba’s Super Valu announced plans this week to put in a gas station/convenience store in downtown Blue Earth. The gas pumps would be located in the north end ofJuba’s currentparking lot, while the former Hamilton Restaurant areawill become a convenience store. “We will be adding fuel for two reasons,” Tom Juba said. “We wanted to add a one-stop shopping atmosphere, and we wanted to offer our customers an opportunity to save on gasoline through a new fuel reward program we will offer.” Construction is not expected to begin for some time, but the Jubas hope to have the new business up and running by the end of the summer. “Final plans are not prepared, and we are just now applying for the state and local permits,” Tom Juba said. “The time frame isn’t set but we plan to move as quickly as we can.” The fuel supply will come from Duncan Oil Company of Beavercreek, Ohio. The firm helps build and supplies gas to fuel centers for supermarkets across the midwest. Many supermarkets have expanded into gasoline sales in recent years, the Jubas say. This trend has been attributed to supermarkets responding to competition from convenience stores, and being willing to compete with larger stores by using gas as a sales marketing tool. For more of this story, see this week’s Register.