McGregor Oil Company in St. Ignace has sold two gas stations, the downtown Shell station in St. Ignace and the Shell station on 3 Mile Road in Sault Ste. Marie, to Blarney Castle Oil from Bear Lake.

The sale, which was finalized Wednesday, September 23, when Blarney Castle took control of the two stations, has been in the works for some time, said Dennis B. McCarthy, president of the company. The stations will continue to operate as Shell stations under the new ownership.

Prentiss "Moie" Brown, Jr., attorney and secretary of McGregor Oil, said the sale was prompted by a need for his family's businesses to make a change.

"The family operation was headed in a different direction," Mr. Brown said. "We've sold it, and we're concentrating on other things involving the family now."

McGregor Oil does still hold some other assets, he said, but the two gas stations and convenience stores that were sold were the major part of the company.

Blarney Castle Oil, which already owned the B.P. Station on US-2 in St. Ignace, has a long history as a Michigan company. The enterprise was started in 1933 with one station in Bear Lake, and now has employees spanning three generations of the McCarthy family.

Dennis B. McCarthy, son of Dennis McCarthy, one of the company's founders, said the businesses purchased from McGregor Oil are exactly the type of enterprise their company likes to be part of.

"We really like small communities," he said. "We like to be part of a community and know our customers. St. Ignace is really the kind of business we like."

All employees at both stations will keep their jobs, including managers Kelly Grogan in St. Ignace and Kathy Dickey in Sault Ste. Marie, and no staff changes are anticipated, Mr. McCarthy said.

"It is easier than hiring new staff," he said. "We like to keep the continuity."

The license has been transferred for the continued sale of beer and wine, but Mr. McCarthy said they do plan some changes to the stations' operations.

Lottery tickets and phone cards have been made available for sale at both stations, and he said they would likely add a pay-at-thepump option in St. Ignace at a later date. He said tourists especially would likely appreciate the convenience, but it could take a while to institute the change.

"It's expensive," Mr. McCarthy said. "You have to re-do all the pumps."

Blarney Castle owns more than 90 "EZ Mart" convenience store locations, provides propane and fuel oil service, and also sells bulk fuel and lubricant commercially. Mr. McCarthy said the company's experience so far dealing with the banks and other community members in St. Ignace and Sault Ste. Marie has been a positive one.

"We really appreciate the support of the local community," he said.