Yesterday was the 50th anniversary of my favourite childhood TV show ‘Happy Days’. Though set in 1956, that first episode aired on January 15 1974. I always loved the depiction of local car hangouts back in the day, and it got me thinking about what’s left of such places in my hometown of Toronto. There’s a couple drive-in theatres just outside the city limits. Plenty of vintage diners still around, even though they haven’t had ‘car-hops’ in decades. But what about cool old gas stations, like the one Fonzie used to work at?
I found some pictures online of a very original garage not even 5km from my house.
So, I drive down to 483 Sammon Ave in the old borough of East York to check out a very vintage gas station still in operation today. The owner Perry isn’t sure when the building was actually built, but they’ve got a picture from 1942 showing the building (with the extension) just as it is now; a three-bay garage and two gas pumps, right smack dab in the middle of a residential neighbourhood.
For decades it was the neighborhood Shell ‘filling station’ and if you look at the front of the building from just the right angle, you can still make out the old letters.
Perry’s dad bought the business in 1976 and gave it the Go Go Gas Bar name. Not much has changed in those past 50 years as even the 1960’s era gas pumps are still being used (full-service, of course).
Time really stood still Inside the office. The faded paint, original shelving units and mechanical cash register sitting next to an old wooden desk. If it wasn’t for Perry’s computer on the desk, you’d think you went back in time. Perry told me the place does get rented out for commercials from time to time. This makes sense because it’s like a portal to the old days.
The place isn’t glamorous, or restored to its original glory like the Richfield station in Rancho Cucamonga, and probably isn’t of the same historic architectural significance. But it’s really interesting that just south of Cosburn Ave & Coxwell Ave is a working gas station exactly as it stood 60+ years ago.
~ Chris #16 Demaras ~
I really enjoyed that. I maned a Sunoco just out of high school for a few months before the Air Force – it was a company store and I guess just keeping it open til it could be sold. Imagine giving it to an 18 year old kid to run solo?! At min wage of $1.50. With my 58 Happy Days Chevy – I would cover the cost of computing by keeping a gas can out at the pumps – after the fill up and customer drive away there would be a few ounces of gas still in the hose. I also knew how to change a tire and did for extra change. I was not the Fonzie , but it was kinda cool!
You must have been a trustworthy looking high schooler!
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I grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, and when I was in high school, the local Esso was onr of the stops on our nightly car-cruising. Had a buddy that worked there, and like you, he knew ALL the angles.
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Thanks for the comment. Im picturing your Impala getting its gas tank filled up one ounce at a time!
I did interview well! Ha!
Seriously , in this day and age, I can’t imagine a big Corp doing that. No CC, all cash. And no one but me to be responsible! The one gallon gas can, got merely a dribble and I often achieved a full gallon a day. I also did other minor repair things for cash in my pocket – I wasn’t even supposed to open the bay doors where equipment lay getting dusty. And there was no probation not to help a driver after checking oil and tire pressure !
I still see the occasional person at the gas station do this today.
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The finish filling, then raise the hose and drain those last few drops out. Hey, why not! They paid for it!
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But you had a system.
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See? Thats why they hired you. Ingenuity.
They would have scolded me if they witnessed it. I still do also even today! I’m always looking for gas discounts – I have two that I milk to the last drop. I get fuel points at HArris Teeter 10 cents off per $100 spent on groceries. We are frugal , but I build up 40 Cents and squeeze two extra gallons after the auto shut off click. I click click click! Hello Sunoco!
Esso not only was our family brand, but they cut a deal with the military in Germany ! We could buy ESSO cash coupons to use at German owned stations. The price was 25 cents a gallon with the coupons verses 4X that price at the pump in Marks and Litters. The book was 100 gallons and we could purchase one book per month only. (I made side money buying up Unused Coupons – but that’s another story !)
Entrepreneur Me!
Today they disparage it, calling it gaming the system – but creativity , bartering , these were once positive qualities and if things go very bad one day , we are the ones with the “make do” skills – and be in high demand! Ha ha!
That is stealing from the next customer – the emptied hose has to be refilled before flowing into the customer’s tank – so they are paying for 10 gallons, but only getting 9.9 or whatever.
Nope! There was just as much gas in the hose from the previous customer.
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Cant put the gas back in the pump, either.
Fair game.
Actually not. The full service equip back in those days was inefficient. If you bought $10.00 , the pump started from
Scratch. After filling the exact amount it clicked off. But there was always a little gas left in the hose. It often spilled on the asphalt. That said, if anyone list a nickel’s worth of gas at 32 cents a gallon, I guess it was Sunoco. But I take your point. I would not have done that had I thought about that. Thanks for the comment. Seriously, thank you.
Hold ‘yer horses.
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The hose has some residual amount (100 mL) in it. Like a. P-trap under a sink. Down there in the droop on the hose as it hangs on the pump.
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Customer buys $10 bucks worth of Ultra 94. The pump dispenses those 5 L of gas, and it pushes those residual 100 mL into the customers tank. Then a fresh 100 mL are left in the hose.
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Customer always gets their $10 worth.
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Thats science!
Thank you !