I Search Why & What

I Search Why: Opening a Gas Station/Convenience Store

Personal history: My husband and I own a corner piece of land at an intersection at the end of my street that could be an ideal location for a business--perhaps a gas station/convenience store. We live in a small town of around 900 citizens. There is an old gas station about two miles down the road that is currently up for sale. We joked around about purchasing the old gas station but it’s in a bad location--and our property would be the ideal location. I truly doubt if we will ever do anything with this property; but the fascination about running my own business is the real reason why I’m pushing forward with this topic in an effort to research the following questions:

Is the property zoned for commercial use?
Is the property large enough to install gas tanks/DEP certified?
Is the property in an ideal location for the flow of traffic?
What other services could the gas station/convenience store offer?
What types of traffic go through the town?….winter vs. summer….destination.
What other types of permits are required?
Inspection of kitchen equipment? Who do you notify? How soon do they come?
Tax ID number? Tobacco/alcohol sales number?
What else could we add for an added attraction/feature to our gas station/store to make it more appealing to public?
Employees--how many? Part time vs. full time
What types of items would sell in the store to benefit the local community?


I Search What:

I know that the property is located at the only intersection in town that leads West toward Medway/East Mill/Millinocket and Baxter State Park. Located on Route 2 running North towards Houlton--last gas station for 50 miles if headed north. Next gas station headed West would be about 15 miles. Gas station headed South would be about one mile.
Logging trucks go through town--would need diesel fuel as well as regular
ITS 81 snowmobile trail is groomed across the property…would benefit to have a gas station that sold 24 hour gas with credit/debit card for those sleds who come into town late at night and need gas; whereas other station in town doesn’t and isn’t located on the trail.
I think one to two full time employees, myself, and 2-3 part time employees.