The newly rebranded RJames Fuel Zone will celebrate its grand opening later this week, featuring the cheapest gas in town, a hot dog lunch, and a car wash by donation.
Located at the corner of Highway 97 and Edwards Road in Kelowna, the gas station was previously a Husky brand for nearly 20 years. The national corporation exited the business a couple of years ago, giving owner Ron James the chance to create a community-focused brand. Thus, RJames Fuel Zone was established.
“We had offers from a few other companies, but we decided to try our own thing,” said general manager Jim Siegmann. “We found a fuel supplier and invested our own money into new signage and branding.
“Most corporate stores have set prices. We can set our own prices most of the time, making it cheaper than your regular convenience store.”
The grand opening will take place on Thursday, June 20, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. RJames Fuel Zone promises to have the cheapest gas in town during these hours.
“I’m not revealing the discount until 11 o’clock,” Siegmann said. “Then we’ll put it on the sign. It’ll be worthwhile. It’ll be the cheapest in town. Guaranteed.”
Siegmann will also be grilling hot dogs. Customers can get a hot dog, chips, and a drink for a donation. The same goes for a car wash. Donations will go to The Salvation Army. The event will also feature giveaways and a propane sale.
“We’re already competitively priced on propane,” Siegmann said. “But we’ll add a little extra to get people excited.”
Going independent allows Siegmann to maintain his commitment to the community. He supports local groups like the Kelowna Rockets, Kelowna Chiefs, Okanagan Sun, and minor hockey teams in Kelowna and Lake Country. RJames Fuel Zone also recently donated to the Ride For Dad, supporting prostate cancer research.
The ownership change took place in January. After a few months of transition, RJames Fuel Zone is looking forward to the future.
“We’re back to where we were before, growing and getting stronger every day,” Siegmann said. “We want to get the word out that we’re here and a big part of the community.”