Business sold after 58 years
There are some brands that go hand-in-hand with the fabric of the Niagara Region, and Gales Gas Bar is one of them.
That said, after nearly six decades of being run by the same family, Gales has new owners.
Jessica Friesen was the third generation owner in her family, and has acted as CEO of the company for nearly 11 years now. She says selling Gales was a matter of 'right deal, right time'.
The company began back in the 1960s, when Bob Gale Sr. purchased one truck and one gas station, before Bob Gale Jr. took over in the early 1980s.
During this time, the company expanded - building an oil terminal, growing the number of service stations and geographic reach of fuel delivery, and venturing into the convenience industry, opening the very first Bob’s Fast & Fresh Convenience in 2009.
Friesen says the decision was based around her family life - and wanted to make sure the company went into good hands.
While Friesen did not say who the company was sold to, she seems confident that they'll be able to continue it - and believes they'll be using the same name.
In total, there are 11 services stations and four convenience stores under the Gales banner throughout the Niagara region, while the company also supplies wholesale fuel delivery, home heating fuel delivery, and oil/lubricant delivery.
(Written by: Matt Latour)
