Economic challenges have led to the closure of a longtime business in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge.
Neil’s Ultramar service station on Route 148 in Calumet suddenly closed recently. According to a social media post, rising interest rates, increased operational costs, and a recent retirement put the business in a precarious position.
However, owner Neil Cruise is hopeful the gas station will reopen.
“We are reaching out to ask for your support during this tough time. While we are taking various steps with different institutions to reopen soon, your thoughts and prayers would mean the world to us,” Cruise’s post said.
The Review has contacted Cruise for further comment on the closure of the service station.
“Our one desire is to continue serving the community,” Cruise also posted.
These days, when almost every gas station is self-serve with pre-payment required at the pump or inside, Neil’s Ultramar was a service station in the true sense of the term. Employees still pumped gas for customers and drivers did not have to get out of their vehicles to pay.
Area residents appreciated the convenience of full service at the pumps. Senior citizen Sandra Goorbarry said the closure will affect a lot of people.
“I don’t really want to start pumping my own gas,” she said.
The small store at the gas station was the only one of any kind remaining in Calumet. It was also the only gas station right on Route 148 between Lachute and Montebello.
For many years, the gas station was owned by Burton “Burt” McHardy, who was well known for his good customer service and hiring many local youths for their first jobs at what was known locally as just “Burt’s.” McHardy died on July 11, 2023. The service station originally belonged to Burt’s late father Kenny McHardy and sold Gulf gasoline.
