Algonquin Shell

Algonquin Shell is the sole reason why the Longmeadow Parkway continues toward fruition, and will be completely responsible for the inevitable demise of downtown altogether.
I won’t go into the long political debate, or endless hours pertaining to the history of the Longmeadow Parkway, just know that the only TRUE reason behind the actual approval of the dreaded parkway is due to the terrible lack of a service that Shell produces on a daily basis. Locals know to avoid like the plague, because, they have all been there once, and once was one time too many. Shell is an embarrassment and a disservice to the people of Algonquin, and is ruining the reputation of a once fine community.
The local government wants to divert people away from downtown, because eventually anyone traveling through will likely need to stop for gas. After the horrific service they receive, they assume that all businesses in downtown Algonquin act this way, and thus, refuse to be a patron at any location nearby, along the Fox River.
Look at how many businesses shut their doors in the past couple of years. Bulldozers keep showing up downtown and demolishing buildings left and right. Sandwich shops and ice cream parlors quietly lock their doors and slip out of town. Even the once fine-​jewelry-​store-​turned-​pawn-​shop can barely stay open with it’s employee wandering aimlessly amid Main Street at a complete loss for what to do. What was once a bustling downtown now resembles a ghost town of the Wild West, where railroads diverted and left thriving towns desolate. In a cyclical fashion, Government officials are doing everything in its power to divert automobile traffic away from Shell, and thus, Algonquin altogether. Just look at the Route 31 bypass.
As soon as Longmeadow Parkway opens, and people will follow the diverted paths created by the frantic local government, the east side of Algonquin will cease to exist, as the once mighty businesses like Port Edward, Cucina Bella, and the ever popular Taxidermy shop, will close for good. Hundreds of servers, chefs, and deer-​head stuffers, will be out of work, joining the other homeless people who hang out at the Algonquin Shell in the hopes of collecting $ 4.50 in spare change to buy a Colt 45 and a stick of Beef Jerky.
If you don’t believe how awful the Algonquin Shell Station is, listen to a police scanner from Algonquin for how many calls come in reporting illegal and illicit activity pertaining to the downtown Shell Station. One time I saw a man in a wheelchair who pressed the assistance button at the pump, get yelled at by the clerk to «hobble his broken rear-​end inside» to prepay for his 14 dollars of gas. Don’t even get me started on the bloke stocking the shelves with a syringe hanging loosely out of his pocket. And the cashier who smelled of pork rinds and whiskey while telling me to have a lousy day.
Please people, avoid the Shell, but don’t avoid Algonquin. Take a chance with the true local businesses. We are a pleasant people, and a warm community. Don’t be afraid. Just be sure you have a tank full of gas while approaching our town.

This used to be my local gas station. Always got gas, lotto and soda there. I will now be going to Thorton’s. Lately there has been a homeless guy hanging out there. At first I’d see him in there here and there then it was almost everytime I was in there. Then, yesterday I’m pumping gas and he asked for money for beer. I feel management of this station should address this. I’m all for giving a person down on their luck a leg up but don’t want to be subjected to panhandling everytime I go to get gas.

I’ll start out by saying this isn’t the first problem I’ve had here. I’ll also say, I’ve seen other people have problems here as well. Out of complete convenience I still went, but I can say I will not be back.
I stopped to get gas, put my credit card in, have to enter my zip, the ‘1’ button isn’t working. Okay, no big deal I’ll go in. I give the lady an amount and go back out. I press regular, grab the nozzle the screen says ‘please wait…’, waiting, waiting. Now the screen says to return nozzle. I returned it and try again, the cashier comes out yelling at me telling me I did it wrong and need to come back in. I’ve been pumping gas for years, how could I do it wrong and why is this lady screaming at me outside? I go in, she explains to me I selected premium gas, which I didn’t, I wouldn’t. At this point she’s explaining that I messed up and it’s my fault and I can try again. But now since the amount has to be returned, my card doesn’t work. I’m without gas and patience. This lady was so rude, not the first cashier I’ve seen yell at customers because she’s having a bad day. How ridiculous. It’s a gas station, shouldn’t be so complicated.

What can you say about a gas station? I think this one is fairly easy to access from all four directions. They have a little minimart inside.