The Inter-Mountain photo by Dan Geohagan
Construction equipment rests at the former location of Sheetz in Parsons, which has been purchased by BFS Companies as the site of a new gas station/convenience store.

PARSONS — City of Parsons officials say BFS Companies has purchased the former location of Sheetz in the town and plans to open a gas station/convenience store later this year.

“As local leaders we are excited to see that BFS has decided to locate here in Parsons,” City Administrator Jason Myers said Thursday. “I have had several conversations and meetings with the Bishop family (which owns BFS). They are a very good company and we like what they stand for.”

BFS, a West Virginia-based company, has purchased the property from the previous owners and is now installing new gas tanks in the ground, officials said. It will be providing a diesel island for semis, as well as offering kerosene and off-road diesel. The main gas pumps will offer three octane ratings of regular fuel as well as diesel for cars and small trucks.

The Sheetz 24-hour service station in Parsons closed its doors on Sept. 26.

“They purchased the property from the previous owner,” Myers said of BFS. “That in and of itself is a commitment to the community and that they will be here for a long time.”

Construction on the building is scheduled to begin Feb. 6, officials said. The exact completion date has not been announced, nor have any details on what kind of food the BFS may offer, although the floor plans include a hood in a small kitchen area which may indicate that it may provide fresh food and include a fryer.

Several Parsons residents said they are excited that BFS is coming to town.

“I will be looking forward to the ability to get fuel and such 24 hours,” said Daniel Barkley of Parsons. “It bothered me a bit when Sheetz closed.”

“It was such a convenience and nice place to have in town,” said Leah Underwood, a West Virginia University student and Parsons resident.

“I was excited to hear about the BFS coming in,” she said. “My biggest concern was fuel for travelers and late workers.”

After Sheetz closed, the only gas station in Parsons was Allstar, located at 116 7th Street, which is not a 24-hour station.

“Jim’s (Allstar) gained a lot of respect for not gouging gas prices when they were the only one in town,” Barkley said.

BFS Companies began in 1974 as an agriculture business (Bruceton Farm Service) when Marshall Bishop purchased the Southern States store in Bruceton Mills. In the early 1980s, the first BFS Foods convenience store was opened in Mt Lake Park, Maryland. BFS now has more than 63 locations and eight liquor stores in West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Ohio.