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Highlands Today

99-Cent Gas Was No April Fool's Joke

Laura Nesbitt, Highlands Today

Cars waiting to fill up on 99-cent gas on Wednesday at the Marathon station on the corner of Main Street and U.S. 27.

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By LAURA NESBITT

Highlands Today

Published: April 1, 2009

AVON PARK - Cheap gas was no joke on April Fool's Day at one gas station in Avon Park - and motorists were lined up for several blocks to fill up.

"Right now, gas is cheaper than water," said Alan Faiz, owner of the Marathon station.

While the other gas stations around him were pumping for over $2 per gallon, Faiz was undercutting them by more than half. Faiz sold his gas for 99 cents a gallon for a short while. Faiz said he lowered his prices because he hadn't had a grand opening when he opened last year.

An Avon Park Police officer stood by his cruiser at the corner of U.S. 27 and Main Street conducting traffic control. There had been no problems with traffic or accidents, he said.

Vanessa Lindsay said she was driving down U.S. 27 when she saw gas advertised for 99 cents. Lindsay turned and drove to the end of the line but arrived too late.

"We missed it!" Lindsay said. The car in front of Lindsay's was the last allowed in the line.

Faiz said it was possible that he might sell gas that cheaply again.

Highlands Today reporter Laura Nesbitt can be reached at 863-386-5857 or lnesbitt@highlandstoday.com.

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