By Samantha Joseph
Staff writer
JENSEN BEACH - When Abdo and Melinda Akl moved to Jensen Beach in 2008, they wanted to bring to the beachfront town a mom-and-pop business that would serve its needs and make life easier for residents.
Four years later, the couple has achieved this twice over, opening two gas stations - across the street from each other - to sell a variety of fuel products and keep prices competitive.
Their ABS Gas and Go stores, which straddle the northeastern end of Jensen Beach Boulevard, sell Powerplus e85 gasoline for flexible-fuel vehicles; recreational 90-octoane for boats, recreational vehicles landscaping equipment and other small engines; diesel and other fuel.
"Basically that's why we have both locations, to cover all these products and to serve our customers with the best prices possible," Mr. Akl said. "One location protects the interest of the other, and accommodates all our customers' fuel needs."
Offering competitive prices is important for the Akls, who've run successful businesses in Massachusetts since 1995.
Owning a previous gas station and garage that offered car sales taught them their business is price sensitive and consumers seek out the best deals.
In their local ABS Gas and Go stores, they say they remain vigilant even with prices on top sellers, such as beer, cigarettes and wine, to continue to earn customer loyalty.
"We love Jensen Beach. We love being here and we love serving our customers," Mr. Akl said. "We look forward to serving them for many more years."
It's a commitment and far-reaching view from a couple who has planted roots in a community where their children now attend school and where they now operate a family business.
"We bring competitive prices back to Jensen Beach. Before we were here, Jensen Beach didn't have competitive prices. People had to go to U.S. 1 (gas stations)," Mr. Akl said. "This is what we were told by our customers, and it is what we strive for: to be competitive."
ABS Gas and Go stores are located at 1700 and 1750 N.E. Jensen Beach Blvd. For more information, call (772) 934-6041 or (772) 934-6917.