GREENVILLE — Steve Fowble, of Greenville, said he was very happy that the Erwin Brothers’ (EB) Fuel Stop, located at State Route 49 and U.S. Route 127, in Greenville, was finally open for business at the store’s ribbon – cutting, Saturday.
“I live right over here, and it is so convenient” he said.”I race horses and I whip in here with the trailer and whip right out. I like the guys – they are very nice. I am really, really tickled for this place. I have been cheering them on.”
Fowble was referring to EB Fuel Stop owners Marc and Mike Erwin, of Erwin Bros. Trucking, in Ansonia. A longstanding impasse between the Erwins and the City of Greenville ended with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) permission to set up a septic system. The fuel stop had stood empty since late last year due to a disagreement with the City of Greenville, concerning a pre-annexation agreement.
Marc said business is better than expected and he is grateful and thankful for those people who have supported them.
“It feels great to finally get that off of my shoulders and to get back to business,” Marc said. “It is nice for the truckers to be able to come in and have a place to park. Many people have come in and said, ‘This is great. Finally, we are no longer parking on the side of the road’. They have a place to come in, get something to eat and go to the restroom – it is really great for them.”
In addition to customers, family and friends, Darke County Commissioners: Chairman Michael W. Rhoades, Vice-Chair Mike Stegall and Matt Aultman attended the event.
“It’s a beautiful facility, and the boys have done a great job and have overcome quite a bit,” Stegall said. “This is going to be a real boon for this end of the city and also to the county. We needed a truck stop at this end because there is really nothing between routes 40 and 33. They are tough guys and we can’t be happier to have them here.”
E-85 Marketing Manager at The Andersons, Inc., in Greenville, John DiMartini said EB Fuel Stop is a major community local establishment, all the way down the line. In addition to conventional gasoline, the Erwins are offering E-85 and E-15 to their customers. Marc said offering these allows consumers to run their vehicles on a cleaner burning higher octane fuel. E-85 is for flexible – fuel vehicles (FFVs) defined by a flex – fuel logo and/or a yellow gas cap. E-15 can be used in FFVs, and the following model year 2001 and newer vehicles: cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles (SUVs), according to the EPA.
“The majority of the corn we buy for our plant comes from Darke County,” DiMartini said. “The corn is coming from your soil, your farmers. We do get some corn from outside the county, but it is local and grown here. We process it and turn it into ethanol by local employees. Plus, it reduces emissions by 30 percent less than conventional gasoline, making it better for the environment. We support the community, and then what they have done here by building this and hiring more employees makes this a major community local establishment.”
According to Marc, EB Fuel Stop also offers possibly the largest selection of craft beers in the county; specialty pizzas; a hot and cold sub shop; Eikenberry’s doughnuts and many other items and services. Erwin Brothers Trucking was established in 1999. The brothers expanded their growing business with the purchase of one tractor and flatbed trailer. Their newest division is located in Crawfordsville, Indiana. This business employs about 45 people. With the addition of the 28 the Fuel Stop employees, the Erwins have provided many locals jobs. EB Fuel Stop Manager Don Beisner said he is already impressed with the way the Erwins have treated him. While working for a company in Indiana and driving an hour each way, in October he called the Erwins, inquiring about employment. Beisner was hired October 31, with a plan to start in December. With the unplanned delays, the Erwins continued paying Beisner.
“They are great employers,” he said. “They were gracious enough to keep me employed the entire time.”
With all of the fuss behind them, Marc said he is eager for customers to experience the great environment of the Fuel Stop.
“We are open 24/7 – 365; come in and check it out!” he said.
