Robbins Shell Station in Souris will fall short of it's 15th anniversary by three months. Representatives of Shell Canada hand delivered a letter to owners Rick and Colleen Robbins earlier this month notifying them their contract with the company will expire in mid June. Colleen Robbins says through the years they have done good business for Shell and for themselves, adding it is basically a self-employment situation and by taking the business away Shell is leaving them with next to nothing. Robbins notes Shell didn't include a reason why they were closing the site, and says they aren't the only this has happened to.

 

 

Robbins adds getting rid of 15 years of inventory in 90 days is going to be an issue because not only did they run retail gas and a c-store, they also provided area farmers with supplies. She notes they aren't going to order anymore merchandise for the c-store and let it run down to nothing. As for the farm supplies, Robbins says hopefully they can get rid of it even though they carried a lot of extra.

 

Robbins notes the closure of the business will affect it's current employees but will also leave only one gas station in the community, removing the competition and the option of where residents would like to purchase their fuel. She adds Rick and herself also got involved in other aspects of the community as business owners.

 

 

Robbins notes she also can't even recall how many highschool students they have employed at the gas station over the years.

 

As for what's next Robbins says she and Rick aren't sure what will happen, noting they are both in the process of applying for jobs within and outside of Souris. Colleen also owns a small corner store in town as well.

 

Shell Canada will demolish the gas station after it closes June 14th and Robbins says this will leave Souris with a permanent empty lot as Shell won't sell it because of clean up costs.