Gas stations re-open near Interstate 20
THOMSON - After months of being wrapped in yellow police tape, the two gas stations near the Interstate 20 exit on Washington Road have reopened.
The two stations - now named Andy's Travel Center and Moe's Truck Stop - were closed last August when former owner Joey Bryant filed for bankruptcy because of unpaid state sales taxes totaling around $1.3 million.
Last month courts gave the land back to its outright owner, M.D. Hammock Oil Company, based out of Sandersville, Ga.
"The bankruptcy allowed them to take that property back," said Carl E. Brown, regional manager for the Georgia Department of Revenue. "It's surprised me that it's taken so long to open those back up. However, the bankruptcy did allow them to take back that property, which is good for Thomson and good for employment."
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M.D. Hammock Oil Company has leased the property out to new co-owners, seeking a fresh start.
Julie Bilbro from Atlanta, pumps gas at the newly
re-opened Andy's Travel Center on Washington Road.
Photo by Elwood Hamilton
The stations, across from Wendy's on Washington Road, are now part-owned by Moe Singh.
"We want to capture the family- and business-type clientele," he said. "We're opening up a travel center so business people can come and conduct their business."
Within the month, Singh hopes to add wireless Internet capability, which will be used to attract business travelers. Singh says he also has plans to make improvements to Moe's Truck Stop directed more at the commercial trucking clientele.
Bryant was the owner of Bryant's Video Oasis, the company that previously owned the two stations in Thomson and two gas stations in Augusta.
Brown said that there were tax liens against the company of about $500,000, while the state had seized all assets of the business and the property until Bryan officially filed for bankruptcy.