Norfolk County has joined forces with the owner of a Port Rowan gas station slated for closure to find a new owner for the retail outlet.
Parkland Canada, owners of Port Rowan’s Esso station on Front Road, have announced the community’s only gas station will close on March 31, 2023. The company said it has been trying to sell the property for more than a year.
Members of the community expressed concern over the pending closure of the community’s only gas station, which prompted the county to reach out to Parkland.
“Over the past several days, I’ve had a transparent and constructive dialogue with Parkland about their decision to close Port Rowan’s Esso retail location,” said Norfolk Mayor Amy Martin in a Friday media release.
Martin said she and Norfolk Coun. Tom Masschaele, who represents the Port Rowan area, told the company “about the unique needs of this rural community.”
As a result of the conversation, the county and company will be looking for a new owner for the site.
“We look forward to hearing from local entrepreneurs who are interested in owning the location, Martin said in the release.
“We have served this community for over 12 years and are grateful for the community’s interest in the future of this location,” said Ian White, president, Parkland Canada, in the media release. “Mayor Martin is a community champion and has the best interests of Port Rowan at heart as we both try to find new long-term owners for this location. We encourage inquiries from members of the community.”