Closed
Manager leaves, Mobil Mart to re-open

By Michelle O’Riley

VOORHEESVILLE — The Mobil Mart on 85A closed without notice last Thursday. According to new owners Alta East, the gas station and convenience store were forced to temporarily close when the current management left.

Thomas Haggerty, who was leasing the property from Alta East, decided not to stay; he wanted to get out of the business, said Thomas Dickson, vice president of sales at Alta East.

Haggerty’s abrupt decision to give up management of the Mobil Mart has left local residents wondering if the gas station closed due to current gas-price pressures. Haggerty did not respond to a call from The Enterprise on Tuesday, questioning why he decided to leave the business.

Mobil Mart’s employees were not notified that the store would be closing. When alerted of Haggerty’s decision, Alta East said it tried but was not able to contact employees. Dickson encourages all former employees who are still interested in working at the Mobil Mart to call Mike Martin of Alta East at 845-344-4271 and leave their name and number.

The Mobil Mart will reopen this Thursday, said Dickson. Gas should be accessible at the pumps this week and most store items will be stocked and available by next week.

Alta East does not plan to lease the property again until August, said Dickson, when all remodeling projects are scheduled to be complete. Some of the changes will include updates to the existing canopy, and new gas pumps and tanks.
"It will be bigger and better than it ever was," said Dickson.

Earlier this year, the village was notified of contaminated soil due to gas leaks at the Mobil Mart. According to Village Building Inspector Jerry Gordinier, Alta East is currently working on plans with The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and local contractors to remove the old tanks and the soil surrounding them.