BILLINGS, Mont. — The West End of Billings will soon be home to the first Phillips 66-branded convenience store in Montana, according to the Billings Gazette.
Gene Carlson, owner, said that renovations are currently underway to turn a former Liberty gas station, located on the corner of 24th Street West and Central Avenue, into a Don’s Xpress center, stated the article.
Carlson is also the owner of Don’s Car Wash and Conoco station, reported the article, which are situated on the other side of Central Avenue.
The owner said that he saw “a good opportunity when the property became available,” continued the article.
The former Liberty station was previously a Soco Express store owned by Stockton Oil, based in Billings, informed the article, and Carlson reported that he closed on the property on Oct. 1.
“We decided to pick it up before somebody else did,” stated Carlson in the article. “We’re not a big operator, and we wanted it before a bigger operator got it.”
Carlson, alongside his brother Gary, own seven auto service stations all with the Don’s name, reported the article, which include carwashes, lube centers and two c-stores.
The new c-store, Don’s Central Xpress Center, is currently being gutted, stated the article, and Carlson projects renovations, which are estimated to cost around six figures, will be completed this January.
The Carlson brothers have been in business with Don’s Xpress for 35 years, noted the article, when they began working for their late father, Alvin Carlson, who previously owned the business.
The new Don’s Xpress location will employ 10 workers when it opens, added the article.
“It’s a good location,” said Carlson in the article. “We’re excited.”
You can find the article here.
