Wayne Stowe, the owner of Stowe’s Exxon on Main Street (photo), says his auto repair shop will remain open until at least year’s end while planning continues on a retail/commercial building on the site.

Meanwhile, local merchants are making plans to honor Mr. Stowe with a pot-luck supper on the Village Green Sept. 27 at 6 p.m.

Underground gas tanks at the station were removed last month. Mr. Stowe said Friday he and son-in-law Jerry Cline are still looking for space in the area to relocate the auto repair business.

DEVELOPER’S PLANS

Mr. Stowe, 60, has owned the shop since 1970, and has worked there since 1963. He told DavidsonNews.net in February that he was ready to retire from the business, where competition has increased and profitability has declined over the years.

Developer David Stewart of Harris Associates is in the midst “a major revision” of his plans for a retail and office building on the site, which is at the point of South Main and South streets. Mr. Stewart said Friday he will submit the new design for approval at the September Design Review Board meeting.
Plans still call for a 15,000-square-foot, 3- to 3½-story office and retail building. The building height is unchanged, though the new design has “a smaller penthouse on top.” Also, an overhang on the building’s South Street side has been eliminated, and the whole building now will be shifted more toward the South and South Main intersection, he said.

“We took all the feedback from the workshops and the feedback from the Design Review Board and tried to respect everybody’s opinions and address the major concerns,” Mr. Stewart said.

GAS TANKS REMOVED

Gas sales stopped at Stowe’s Exxon in June and underground tanks were removed in July. Mr. Stewart said he is still hoping to complete the property purchase by Aug. 31, pending a review of the gas-tank removal project by the state Department of Natural Resources.

The removal went well, he said, in part because Mr. Stowe had kept detailed records and photographs of the tanks when they were installed. “We had one little spot that we went in and cleaned up, and everything else looks good. It’s a testament to Wayne’s record keeping,” Mr. Stewart said.

HONORING STOWE

Downtown Davidson merchants are planning to honor the longtime garage owner with a potluck supper the evening of Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. on the Village Green.

“It’s just the merchants coming together,” said Kate MacIntyre, director of Downtown Davidson Inc. “We thought that given the number of years that (Mr. Stowe) has been in town, it’s appropriate to recognize him.”

“We’re going to get some baked chicken and soda, and ask people to bring a salad or a dessert,” Ms. MacIntyre said.

Ms. MacIntyre said she has “no idea” how many people might turn out. If you’re planning to attend or want more information, call her at the Downtown Davidson office, 704-892-2118.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

For more on what Mr. Stewart is planning, read our May 4, 2007, report, “Developer cuts Exxon plan to 3 stories.”

For more on Mr. Stowe’s decision to retire and sell the property, read the Feb. 6, 2007, report, “Exxon station to be sold for development.”