Milan's lone gas station reopens

MILAN — The reasons vary for their pumped-up attitudes. But, overall, locals are overjoyed about Milan's only gas station and convenience store reopening under new management. In early December, owner Harvinder Singh and his cousin, store manager Navdeep Singh, brought back Village Station, 2 Church St., Milan, kitty-corner from Invention Restaurant. The family also operates a gas station in Geneva, Ohio. "There is a need here for the people," said Navdeep, referencing how Village Station under previous ownership closed shop more than a year ago and remained shuttered up until a few days ago. Weeks before opening, the Singh family made several upgrades to Village Station, most notably with new pumps now featuring 24/7 access with an ability for customers to use credit cards. "No matter if the store is open or closed, people can get gas any time they'd like," Navdeep said. "The old pumps, they didn't have that option." Regarding the actual convenience store, people can stop in for candy, beverages, cigarettes and more from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. "Those are just our hours for the winter. We might change that in the summertime," said Navdeep, who said he and his family now live in Milan. "All of our inventory is brand new. If we don't have something you want, please give us a recommendation or suggestion. We welcome it." The Singh family also made a promise to try and keep gas prices as low as possible. This past week, Village Station offered regular gasoline at $2.79, 6 cents less than the state average. "Our prices are very low compared to other gas stations in the area, and that is because of the love and support we are getting, so far, from the village," Navdeep said. "We will try to do our best, to have the cheapest prices, but we will need continued support of the village to do that."