The problem is that American National Oil. Co., whose president is George Paymard, has shut-down gas stations throughout Ventura County; the properties are currently under litigation with Leasing Corp., an Ohio-based national business-to-business equipment leasing company.The Hallock Mobil station, which also had a car wash and large mini-mart, had been opened for about 18 months when signs of trouble first appeared. Patrons found that gas pumps were closed intermittently and then all station operations stopped, followed by the closure of the other businesses, all family owned.Paymard had gone through a long process with the city to open the station, which was designed - including a never completed community kiosk - to catch the eye of passers-by and serve as a visual introduction to Santa Paula to eastbound highway travelers.Weeds spouted up on the property, vandals were competing through graffiti, trash was commonplace and the City Council was fit to be tied at the condition and appearance of the parcel.City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz said the city would launch efforts to clean up the property and that the Economic Development department would help in the search for a potential buyer.
SP Mobil: Closed Hallock Dr. showcase now an enforcement case
August 08, 2003
Santa Paula News
Santa Paula isn’t the only city where a gas station complex has closed, but difference is that the Santa Paula Mobil station, and the other businesses that share the Hallock Road corner property, is just so visible to passing Highway 126 traffic.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesSanta Paula isn’t the only city where a gas station complex has closed, but difference is that the Santa Paula Mobil station, and the other businesses that share the Hallock Road corner property, is just so visible to passing Highway 126 traffic.Even the City Council had questioned the status of the property in recent months, noting its rundown condition and the visual blight it presents for commuters arriving from the east. . .and for the rearview mirror glimpse of those eastbound.The Hallock Drive Mobil station has been permanently closed for months, after being temporarily shut down again and again.The station parcel was also home to a tire shop and a Wendy’s drive-thru restaurant, both also shuttered.