STAUNTON - It may have taken a little while, but the new and improved Staunton Food Mart is finally ready to sell gas again.

With the arrival of the price sign, the pumps were turned on, 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 18, and four months of work was finally completed.

Work began in December, with the first order of business being to remove the old pumps, tanks and tons of surrounding ground. In the interests of environmental friendliness, new dirt was added in and then dug out to make room for the new tanks.

Uncooperative weather created some unexpected delays, but the new tanks and pumps have finally been installed, and now customers can once again fuel up.

With the new dispenser, capable of allowing up to four vehicles to fill up at one time, customers can select from regular, mid-grade, premium, and diesel to meet their needs.

In addition, a new canopy over the pumps will help to keep the rain, sleet, and other nasty weather off of customers while they fill up. Some residents may notice that the parking lot is still incomplete, but if the weather cooperates it will be completed some time in the very near future. Some finishing touches are still needed, but the new pumps and covering is an improvement for Staunton and her citizens.