Published: July 04, 2009 11:13 pm      

West Side service station up for sale

Smith family has run Dingle Exxon since 1932

CUMBERLAND — After 77 years in business, the Dingle Exxon is up for sale.

Earl Smith’s father, the late E.V. Smith, began operating an Esso station at the site in 1932. Sometime later it became a Standard Oil Co. station and, eventually, an Exxon station. Earl took over his father’s business after World War II when he returned from serving in the U.S. Army. He was recalled to military service during the Korean War.

At one time, the Dingle Exxon included a used-car business and U-Haul trucks were available for rent at the busy West Side station located at the base of Braddock Road.

For generations, the Dingle Exxon fueled and performed repairs on every make and model of vehicle. It was a busy, reliable neighborhood vehicle service center that valued its customers.

During its peak years, the station employed a half-dozen workers, and it was not unusual to pump 30,000 gallons of gas in a single month.

Shaded by three towering sycamore trees, the station’s gas pumps are now idle. The only work being done there now is an occasional oil change and minor automotive repairs.

Before listing with a Realtor, Smith thought he had a buyer ready to purchase the property.

“I was approached by a buyer a couple months ago but then he backed out. I just decided to sell it. I’m 83 years old,” said Smith as he sat inside the station with employee Daniel “Junior” Miller of LaVale at his side. “The only thing I want to sell is the ground. I figure this is a prime piece of dirt.”

Smith, who lives near the station, said he has enjoyed serving his customers over the years. “I’ve been here a long time and I’ve met a lot of people. I like everybody. I don’t have any regrets about nothing,” said Smith.

But the thing he will miss most is a group of visitors that stops by regularly for a cup of Smith’s Maxwell House coffee. Some are from the neighborhood, others from LaVale, Flintstone or other local areas.

“I like the fact that they are not clones. Everybody’s different. We talk about everything. You can argue here but when you walk out that door, you don’t carry a grudge,” said Smith with one of the regulars seated nearby,

As Smith’s right-hand man, Miller said it has been good to work for his boss.

“I’ve loved working here for the past 13 years. That’s why I’ve stayed here — to work for Mr. Smith,” said Miller.

As for his future plans, Smith didn’t say much. However, he plans to continue to take his daily afternoon naps and partake of his nightly treat — an unspecified “nightcap” that he enjoys with cheese and crackers.

“After I close the station, the first thing I am going to do is clean out my garage and then clean out my attic. I might even have a big yard sale,” said Smith, adding that he will rely on Miller to take care of the heavy work.

“This has been a good business,” he said, “but I’m lazy anymore.”

Listed through Long & Foster real estate, agent Debbie Grimm is handling the sale of the service station that is situated on a three-quarter acre lot at 770 Greene St. Two vacant lots at the rear of the three-bay service station are included in the sale price of $600,000.

Contact Jeffrey Alderton at jlalderton@times-news.com.