Danby's Grows Again
10/5/2012
Most people think of Danby’s Gulf Stations when they see a blue tow truck or wrecker go by – just as they have since the company started offering gasoline sales and automobile service in 1948 when Fred Danby started the business. But, you may not realize all of the other things Danby’s now offers.
While Danby’s is known for its gasoline and automobile service stations, in recent years it has grown to do a whole lot more. Its owners, Kevin Danby and Kevin Curry, are using knowledge gained through those decades of experience to help other gas stations, service stations and convenience stores.
“Over the last five years we have expanded our wholesale gasoline division,” Kevin Curry said. “We’ve taken the expertise we’ve learned in the automobile and gasoline business and now we’re selling gasoline as a distributor for Gulf Oil to more than 30 other gas stations and convenience stores around the state and in New York. We have expanded our portfolio of what we own, and we’ve converted some of our service shops to convenience stores.”
That’s right, Danby’s has remodeled many of its facilities, dressing them up with new interiors - floors, counters, windows and more – and still offers Gulf gasoline sales with great service to customers.
“What triggered this was that our service business was growing and we were working out of two bays. So, we moved our service department to a new 5,000-square-foot location,” he said. “Now we’re able to serve our retail customers better with more available space.”
Danby’s repair shops have always been busy. Now its owners are consultants to help others manage their shops.
The people in the stores we are working with are very similar to us, he said. They are all hard working people - people running their own repair shops and convenience stores, all directly involved in their own companies. We share the same values as our dealers, he said. “The other thing that’s really important is we’ve been dedicated to one brand – Gulf Oil is our only supplier.”
Today, Danby’s Service Stations bring many useful services to drivers, including AAA emergency road service, 24-hour towing, AAA-approved automotive repairs and maintenance. Danby's Gasoline Marketers, Inc. is a full-service gasoline distributor and fuel consultant, supplying independent station owners with wholesale gasoline, diesel fuel and support services. And, for almost 20 years, Danby's has focused on real estate development, making strategic investments in commercial pad sites and independent gasoline / convenience stores.
Danby's Service Stations have grown, renovated and kept up with the times and changing customer needs. Danby’s has continuously been voted “Best Service Station” by the Record-Journal Reader’s Choice Awards.
Besides its reputation as a provider of quality auto service, gasoline distributor, and real estate developer, Danby's prides itself in its community involvement. Danby’s has made a commitment to children by sponsoring several youth sports and school activities in the Meriden area. Through the years Kevin Curry, Kevin Danby and Fred Danby have been heavily involved in the Lions Club, Rotary Club, the Beat the Street Community Center, Kuhn Employment Opportunities, Boards and Commissions in the City of Meriden.
