A 53-year old company exits the c-store business.
Cloutier Oil, after 53 years in the business, has sold its business to Victory Properties.
Victory Properties, is a partnership formed by Rex Gillis of Columbus and Joe Morris of Ridgeland, two businessmen who also do business with Shell Oil. Victory properties purchased 11 Gas Lane and Deli convenience stores and nine dealer accounts from Cloutier, the Natchez Democrat reported.
Lawrie Cloutier, owner of Cloutier Oil, told Natchez Democrat the divestiture was completed March 19.
Victory Properties approached him about acquiring his business, Cloutier noted, and although he had considered divesting his properties before, Victory proved the first buyers who were able to complete the acquisition.
Cloutier Oil got its start on Oct. 1, 1958. The company originally filled fuel tanks for businesses. Then in 1984, Cloutier expanded into the convenience store business, where it was involved in the development of 17 c-stores with more than 100 employees. Most of the stores sold petroleum products produced by Shell Oil.
“We wouldn’t have made it this long if we hadn’t changed with the times,” Cloutier told the paper. “I am thankful I was able to sell to fellow Shell Oil Co. distributors to be able to keep the Shell brand in Southwest Mississippi.”
Cloutier stores are located in Natchez, Vidalia, Ferriday, Jonesville, Woodville, Meridian, Forrest, Port Gibson, Fayette and Bude, Miss.