Chevron gas station on Manatee Avenue closes for demolition, remodel

MANATEE -- Beachgoers driving down Manatee Avenue will have one less option to fill up their tanks before crossing the bridge to Anna Maria Island for the next several months.

The Chevron gas station at 6724 Manatee Ave. W. is set for demolition this week, says property owner J. Hulon Williams. Williams' company, J.H. Williams Oil Company Inc., filed for a demolition permit on Nov. 17 and the permit was issued Dec. 14, according to Manatee County records.

Until the Chevron reopens, probably sometime in April, the Shell station at 5818 Manatee Ave. W. will be the last option on the north side of Manatee Avenue, and the 7-Eleven at 7407 Manatee Ave. W. on the south side.

The new Chevron store will be just under 3,000 square feet, Williams said, which is larger than the current store. Williams' company owns gas stations with different brands around the state of Florida, and the Manatee Avenue station will remain with the Chevron brand. The structure to be demolished this week was built in 1980 and needs a facelift, Williams said.

"It'll be a little bit more modern location," he said. "It'll have LED lighting and it should be a good addition to Manatee Avenue."

Janelle O'Dea, business reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7095 or follow her on Twitter@jayohday.

This story was originally published December 14, 2015 at 4:52 PM with the headline "Chevron gas station on Manatee Avenue closes for demolition, remodel ."