Two well-known gas station operators in Penticton have reached a deal that will see Canco Petroleum take over ownership and operations of the Otter Co-op gas station and convenience store on Main Street, near Cherry Lane Mall.

The acquisition marks Canco’s second location in Penticton. The company already operates a successful gas station and convenience store on Government Street. As a result of the deal, Otter Co-op’s presence in Penticton will shrink from four locations to three.

Management from both companies confirmed that the deal—concerning the Otter Co-op gas station at 2007 Main Street—has been in the works for several months.

The last day of operation under Otter Co-op will be Sunday, with Canco officially taking over on Tuesday. The station will remain open Monday as both companies manage signage and branding transitions.

Exciting Expansion for Canco

Avneet Singh, general manager of both Canco locations, said negotiations began more than two months ago, and the company is excited to expand its presence in Penticton.

“This is a fantastic location—right next to a busy Tim Hortons and with a car wash on site,” said Singh. “There are no gas stations on this side of the road, so that gives us a big advantage.”

Singh added that the existing layout and strong customer base made the purchase appealing. “When I first visited the location a few weeks ago, I really liked the setup and the store itself.”

The new Canco location features:

• A small Tim Hortons franchise attached to the main convenience store

• A car wash located adjacent to the gas pumps

• Easy access along one of Penticton’s busiest streets

Canco plans to offer $2 discounts on car washes for every 25 litres of gas purchased. No changes are planned for the Tim Hortons outlet.

Staff Retention and Business Continuity

Singh confirmed that all Otter Co-op staff who wished to stay on have been retained.

“They’ve been here a long time and know the ins and outs of the business better than anyone. We’re happy to keep them on board,” he said.

Canco’s Government Street location has enjoyed strong business since opening several years ago, and Singh is confident the Main Street station will follow suit. “We’ll have the same staff, the same customers, and hopefully the same success.”

Otter Co-op Shifts Focus

Shaun Weatherly, marketing and community relations manager for Otter Co-op, said the Main Street station had been operating for nearly 10 years and performed well. However, with the lease up for renewal, Otter decided to pursue a deal with Canco.

“Canco made us a strong offer, and since we own two of our three other Penticton stations, it made sense to focus on those,” he said.

Otter Co-op will now concentrate its efforts on the following Penticton locations:

• Fairview Gas Bar and Car Wash (Fairview Road)

• Westminster Gas Bar (975 Westminster Ave W)

• Skaha Lake Gas Bar (2302 Skaha Lake Road)

The Main Street location, which opened in October 2015, was the only one of the four Otter stations in Penticton that was leased.

Otter Co-op is part of the co-operative retailing system in British Columbia, with over 65 outlets across the province. Headquartered in Aldergrove, the organization has operations stretching from Whistler to the Central and South Okanagan, including Armstrong and Prince George.

“We’ve been around for over 100 years and are owned by our members,” said Weatherly. “While we’re not actively seeking new expansions right now, we’re always open to opportunities in the future.”

A Smooth Transition

Weatherly expressed confidence in Canco’s ability to maintain the station’s success and praised the decision to retain the existing staff.

“It’s great to see that the longtime employees will stay on. They’ve done a wonderful job, and we’re glad they’ll continue working at the same location,” he said.

We wish Canco all the best—they’ve been great partners to work with.”