Service station to close after 54 years

David Walker sipped sweet tea as he watched three of his employees — and closest friends — work on a black Chrysler 300 at his service station. It’s a sight he won’t see much longer.

Walker is the co-owner of Walker’s BP Service Station at the intersection of Franklin Street and Estes Drive. The station will be replaced by Chapel Hill’s second Walgreens after a March 8 town council meeting where members approved the pharmacy’s special use permit for the site.

The automotive station has served the Chapel Hill community since 1956, when Walker was 4 years old and his father started the business.

“It’s a little upsetting,” Walker said when asked about closing. “I think my customers are more upset than I am.”

Walker said he doesn’t know when he will have to close shop for good. He is now leasing the land from Walgreens and will receive a 90-day notice before he has to close permanently.

“I have bills to pay, and right now, I’m afraid to pay them because I don’t know when Walgreens is going to come,” he said.

Walker also has yearly garage bills but has started to pay them quarterly, just in case.

Walker and his long-time friend Eddie Crain bought the station 20 years ago when Walker’s father retired.

United Energy Corporation, which develops oil and natural gas properties, has owned the land for 15 years. Walker said the company tried to sell the property to him for $1 million, but he chose not to purchase it. Later, the company offered the land to Walgreens.

But some residents said they don’t want to lose the local landmark.

Gwen Beebe, a Carrboro resident, has been going to Walker’s BP Service Station for the past three years.

“I don’t know where I’m going to go to get my gas,” she said as the employee took her debit card and pumped her gas for her. “I’m handicapped, and they are gracious enough to help me out.”

Walker said he has seen three generations of customers pull up to the station over the years. His former classmates’ children come to the station for their service.

Walker doesn’t have another job yet, but he hopes to find work, if even just part-time.

“Customers have said, ‘We will follow you wherever you go,’” he said. “It has been a great feeling.”

Crain, a veteran, has worked at the station since 1970. He has lived in Chapel Hill his whole life and came to the station after a tour in Vietnam.

Crain said he was surprised Walgreens chose his location over other available properties in town.

“I feel cheated,” he said. “They bought it, and business is business.”

David Harris, who has worked at the station for 12 years, said he hated the idea of sending customers to another service station not knowing how they will be treated.

Walker is also worried about losing connections with his customers.

“I know people’s kids and their dogs,” Walker said. “I can’t imagine not seeing them.”



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