Crestline Shell in talks with potential investors

Jack King is now seeing new possibilities to keep his Crestline Shell full-service station open.

King, who has run the store at 80 Church Street for the past 36 years, said he is in discussions with potential investors about purchasing property but that nothing has been finalized as of print.

“We do have something in progress, but I don’t have any new information or details yet,” he said on June 18.

King currently leases the property from McPherson Oil Products, who King said sent him legal notification on May 29 stating that he must purchase the property by Sept. 3 in order to remain in business. King said he is not in a financial situation to buy the property.

Charles Denaburg, McPherson’s attorney, said King has operated the Crestline Shell for several years with a month-to-month lease, which King could terminate at any time on 30 days’ notice.

 “The owner is desiring a more permanent arrangement for the property,” Denaburg said in an email. “This matter is a private matter between Jack King and the owner, and we do not think it is appropriate to discuss private matter publicly.”

Walter Scott, whose family owns the former Crestline Piggly Wiggly property and others in the village, said they put in an offer on the property on June 5, but on June 17, Scott said that their offer had been turned down.

 “After reading the Village Living [online] article, we certainly didn’t want to see Jack leave,” Scott said. “We told Jack we would be happy for him to stay and renew his lease for as long as he wanted.”

Scott said his family had made an offer to McPherson on the Shell property a year ago when they heard that McPherson was interested in selling it, but McPherson did not accept that initial offer either.

King said it is his understanding that McPherson had an offer to purchase on the property and is giving him the first right to buy it. He and Scott both said they do not know who that potential buyer is.

 “The space is in the center of village but still is only a certain size and has a limited number of things you can do with it," Scott said. "Another retail use is difficult to figure out.”

The Shell station is one of two gas stations currently in Crestline Village. According to City Manager Sam Gaston, a BP station once stood where First Commercial Bank is located now, and the properties of the current Aliant Bank and Iberia Bank were at one time gas stations as well.

Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce Director Suzan Doidge said she believes the Shell is the only full-service gas station in the Over the Mountain area.

Doidge also noted that she would not be for a non-revenue producing entity taking the place of the Shell.

 “At the Chamber, we’re the champion of small businesses," she said. "As a community we should fight for the businesses that bring revenue to the community."

Regardless of what happens with the property, King said his business has been affirmed by the community since announcing that it could close.

 “I think I am good for the community, and the community is great for me,” he said. “It shows because the support I have gotten from the community is overwhelming. A day hasn’t gone by that I don’t get a lot of customers asking how they can help with my situation. It’s been great."

Editor's Note: This article was updated June 18 to reflect updates that the Scotts' offer had not been accepted and that King said that a deal is in progress.