It’s Astonishing How Often Murphy’s In Warrensburg Is Closed

I'm about done with Murphy's, the gas station in the Walmart parking lot in Warrensburg.  Why? Most times recently, when I want to pop into the store to use the Coca-Cola Freestyle machine or pick up something on the way to or from work, they've been closed.

First, you may not have noticed if you only buy your gasoline there and pay at the pump. The pumps generally operate whether someone is in the station or not—one of the technological advances of the 21st Century. However, if you go inside the store to prepay your gas or to pick something up, you've definitely noticed.

For at least the past two weeks or so, the security gates have been lowered over the windows and doors whenever I have passed by.

I'm actually surprised Murphy's has let this go on for as long as it has. Why? Gas stations generally don't make much profit on the fuel they sell, which lately, it seems is all I can ever get when I show up at the Warrensburg Murphy's. According to a website called The Hustle, gasoline sales, aren't very profitable for stations. It's everything else they sell that makes stores profitable.

The Hustle says, "Gas stations typically only receive a fraction of the price listed on the sign. And after factoring in overhead — labor, utilities, insurance, credit card transaction fees — the average profit is winnowed down to ~$0.03 to $0.07 per gallon."

So right there you'd think Murphy's would be doing their best to get the store open, and at the very least, post some shortened hours if they're having staffing issues. At least letting customers know when they'll be open can give those who'd like to pop inside, the opportunity to do so.

Yet, at the same time, I'm surprised at how the store being closed bugs me. It's surprising to me because it's not like there is a shortage of gas stations in town, and it's not like most of them aren't open most of the time when I need to fill up. Or more importantly fill up and pick up a cup of coffee, or get a soft drink, or pick up a couple of candy bars for dessert, or get a lottery ticket.

Yet, I think it's those connections we make with the people behind the counter as they get to know you. Not to mention the taste of whatever soda you're buying from the fountain. Or the taste of the coffee. For example, I like Murphy's coffee. If I get it from any other gas station, it tastes weird. Same goes with getting something out of the fountain. Sure, both Wendy's and Firehouse have Coke freestyle machines, but neither taste like the one at Murphy's.

Murphy's better get their act together, the Phillips 66 across the street has a pretty nice mini-mart and friendly employees too. Not to mention, when you start to think about Murphy's gas prices, they are usually the cheapest, yet it's only by a few cents. From the one or two fill ups I've gotten at Phillips, I'm starting to think their gas might be worth paying a few extra cents a gallon on. If I like the coffee it may be a done deal!