Jordan Beck | Daily Press From left, ECO Fuels managers Paul Carne, Will Carne and Linda Howes are pictured in their business’ newly-opened convenience store. The gas station now known as ECO Fuels opened as a Standard Oil Co. station in 1967.

ESCANABA — A longstanding Escanaba business has just completed a major remodeling project. Three members of the Carne family, all of who work as managers at ECO Fuels, spoke about their business’ history and its newly-opened convenience store.

Will Carne opened the gas station now known as ECO Fuels in 1967. He moved to the area from Republic, Mich., where he had been employed as a teacher.

“I was six months old,” Linda Howes — Will’s daughter — said.

The station opened as a Standard Oil Co. station. Its first summer was a busy one, as many tourists were passing through Escanaba on their way to the World’s Fair in Montreal.

“Most people going by car had to cross this corner,” Will said.

Initially, Will had only intended to work at the gas station that summer before going back to his previous job. However, his plans soon changed.

“I decided to leave teaching and continue here for a while — I’m still here,” he said.

The business went through a number of name changes over the years, and was known as both an Amoco and a BP station. In 2017, the Carnes decided to go independent as ECO Fuels.

According to Will’s son, Paul Carne, the acronym in the station’s current name stands for “Esky Convenience Operation.” The name change indicated a shift in the station’s business model.

Since it opened, the station had offered auto repair services. However, its former garage space has been remodeled and is now home to a convenience store.

“At the top of Escanaba is a new store with the new year, with the sun and snow in the air,” Linda said.

The decision to convert this space was partially made due to the age of the station’s garage, which had been in use for 52 years. Paul also noted he was ready for a change in his own life.

“I was doing it for 42 years,” he said.

Food, gifts and apparel are being sold at the new convenience store, which opened during the week before Christmas in 2019. Paul said the store has been very well-received by customers so far.

One popular aspect of the convenience store has been its coffee bar, which features a large bean-to-cup coffee machine.

“People really like the fresh coffee,” Linda said.

The store also offers beer and wine (including craft beer and wine made in Michigan), lottery tickets and Upper Peninsula-themed souvenirs and gifts.

In addition to the gas station and convenience store, ECO Fuels is continuing to operate its car wash. The car wash is named “Bubbles Auto Bath,” which Linda said is a reference to Will’s nickname for his wife Arlene.

While ECO Fuels’ convenience store has just opened, Paul said he and other members of his family have already been thinking about the future.

“We hope to continue with more expansion projects down the road,” he said.

However, he noted it was too early to discuss these potential projects in greater detail.