Lee Road Gas Station Fills Up Again

Customers streaming into the at Lee and Beach roads Tuesday afternoon turned to gas station owner Khosrow Haghshenas to ask, "You're open, right?"

Haghshenas nodded and smiled. His gas station reopened at 4 p.m. Monday, following that still isn't quite done. Propane comes later this week and the county Planning Department permits to add Wienerschnitzel and Subway restaurants are in the works.

But Haghshenas is glad to be back to serving the road-weary Highway 1 travelers, Sunset State Beach vacationers and field workers who stop into his shop.

"I'm just happy to be open and back to business," said Haghshenas, who has operated the Chevron station since 1993.

The $3.5 million overhaul that leveled the old gas station to build a new, energy-efficient facility broke ground in January after eight years in the planning stage. Haghshenas added a liquor license to his business, built a car wash and created space for the two restaurants, as well as ample seating indoors and out. 

There are plans to sell fruit out front. The entire property is landscaped to create more of a rest area feel for motorists stopping in.

The new building, with a partial brick facade and subtle sand tones is his favorite, Haghshenas said.

"I keep looking at the colors—I love it," he said.

Haghshenas had hoped to reopen at the end of May but delays with the contractor extended the project. His soft opening Monday included gas, diesel, the car wash and the mini market.

New features include a "smart" coffee bar that tells staff to rebrew coffee when the pot has been sitting for more than two hours, a huge walk-in cooler and freezer area, and sparkling clean bathrooms.

Outside, some areas away from the gas pumps are paved with a porous concrete to help rain drain through. LED lighting throughout the gas station will save money on electric costs, and a generator can run the entire operation should the power go out.

"We're just going to be in business all the time," Haghshenas said.

The Pajaro Valley Chevron is open 5 a.m. to midnight daily.