Jerry Cline (left) and Wayne Stowe will shut Stowe’s Exxon Dec. 21 and start a new shop in January. (Bill Giduz photo)
Stowe’s Exxon on South Main Street will close Dec. 21 as owner C. Wayne Stowe shuts the business to make way for an office and retail building. Will customers follow Mr. Stowe and son-in-law Jerry Cline to their planned new shop in Mooresville? Meanwhile, local merchants are planning a pot-luck supper on the Village Green next Thursday, Sept. 27, to honor Mr. Stowe.
Mr. Stowe, 60, told DavidsonNews.net last February he had decided to retire and sell the site, which is a prime piece of downtown property. He has worked at the station since 1963 and owned it since 1970.
Gas sales stopped at Stowe’s Exxon in June and underground gas tanks were removed in July.
Developer David Stewart of Harris Associates is planning to build a 15,000-square-foot, 3½-story office and commercial building on the site, which is at the point of South Main and South streets.
NEW SITE ON HWY. 115
On Tuesday, Mr. Cline said he plans to open up a new business in mid-January on Highway 115, about 4 ½ miles north of Davidson. The new Cline’s Auto & Tire will be on the east side of the highway at Mackwood Road, in the current Hickman’s Auto.
Mr. Cline, who has worked with Mr. Stowe for 18 years and is married to daughter Sara, will run the new business. Mr. Stowe and Shari Bankhead, also a current employee, will join Mr. Cline in the new venture.
The store will sell tires and repair cars, but won’t pump gas. Mr. Cline said Tuesday he’s hoping many of his current customers will make the move with him.
“I’ll need the support from this town. We’ll try to cater to the customers that we’ve had as much as possible,” he said.
Mr. Stowe, who has said increasing competition was among the reasons he decided to sell the Davidson site, said he and Mr. Cline are counting on customers making the move. “I’m sure a lot will. That’s our goal, to get a jump-start on the new business,” Mr. Stowe said.
HONORING STOWE
Meanwhile, as Mr. Stowe prepares to close up shop, Downtown Davidson merchants are planning to honor him with a potluck supper the evening of Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. on the Village Green.
Kate MacIntyre, director of Downtown Davidson Inc., said last month, “We thought that given the number of years that (Mr. Stowe) has been in town, it’s appropriate to recognize him.”
The organization will supply soda and baked chicken. Those who attend are asked to bring a side dish, salad or dessert. Ms. MacIntyre isn’t sure 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, or email her at kmacintyre@downtowndavidson.org.
DEVELOPER’S PLANS
Mr. Stewart initially presented his plans for a 4-story building at a community planning workshop in March. The plans have been under revision since, and gained “conceptual approval” at the Sept. 10 Design Review Board meeting.
Planning director Kris Krider said in his most recent monthly planning report that Mr. Stewart would be back at the Design Review Board this fall with completed contextual drawings and construction documents.
The project, now 3½ stories, is within what’s allowed for the site, according to the town planning ordinance, so it does not require town board approval. Mr. Krider describes the design as “a brick exterior façade and one-over-one pane window panels with bronze frames.” Walls of the top-level penthouse are glass, and recessed about eight feet, he said. The maximum height of the building is 53 feet and it will be set back about 50 feet from the rear property line.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
Sept. 7, 2007, “Stowe’s site design up for review”
Aug. 10, 2007, “What’s up with Stowe’s Exxon.”
June 5, 2007, “Gas sales wind down at Stowe’s Exxon.”
May 4, 2007, “Developer cuts Exxon plan to 3 stories.”
March 8, 2007, “Residents offer views on Exxon site plan.”
Feb. 6, 2007, “Exxon station to be sold for development.”
May 2007 – Town planning department report on the Exxon redevelopment proposal, on Town website.
