ANSONIA — A demolition crew was razing the buildings on the southeast corner of the main intersection Canal Street (State Route 47) to the south property line of the house next door.

Moody’s filling station, formerly owned by Dennis and Paula Moody, was demolished to make room for the new owners, Casey’s General Store.

General contractor Lawrence Building Corp., out of Fort Wayne, Indiana, had equipment on the scene for the demolition, which began first on the former gas station/Paula’s Diner. Work was to continue on the building behind the gas station, which housed Moody Auto Sales, as well as the vacant house next door.

According to a spokesperson, the contractor puts up more than 30 to 40 stations a year.

“We have over 100 people working with us,” he added.

Also helping on the site Monday was Gleave Construction, also out of Fort Wayne, which put the temporary fence up around the demolition area.

Spectators and passersby could be seen taking in the demolition during their daily routine.

Local residents Larry Miller and Larry Peters were standing by and reminiscing about the station in days of yore.

According to Miller, former owners have included Jason Young, Junior Turner, Dick Ganger, Joe Gasper and Jim Moody, the latter who probably owned it the longest.

Jim Moody bought Bayman’s Auto Sales in 1972, and a few years later purchased the gas station from Gasper.

The spokesperson said Casey’s has been “a wonderful company to work with.”

Casey’s General Stores Inc., is a chain of convenience stores in the Midwestern United States, primarily within the states of Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and now Ohio. The company is headquartered in Ankeny, Iowa; a suburb of Des Moines, according to information on the Internet.