Valero

About this location

A few stories people tell about this place

1. It was just another humdrum morning at Valero when a regular noticed something peculiar. As he filled up his tank, he swore he heard a faint, rhythmic tapping coming from inside the gas station. At first, it sounded like nothing more than background noise, but over the next few days, the tapping grew louder and more persistent. Finally, out of curiosity, the manager decided to investigate. The source turned out to be an old metal birdhouse hanging above the cash register, knocked askew by a delivery driver’s forklift. Every time someone paid with exact change, the coins jingled in perfect rhythm—like a tiny mariachi band hidden behind the counter. Since then, Valero has become known as the place where your car gets filled while listening to impromptu coin concerts.

2. A little boy followed his dad into Valero one Saturday afternoon. As he approached the pumps, he pointed excitedly and asked, 'Dad, why is that man talking to himself while filling up?' His dad smiled and whispered, ‘He’s not talking to himself, son. He’s just saying goodbye to his gas friend.’ The little boy giggled and watched as the man waved goodbye to the pump before driving off. It turned out that old aunty Valeria had taught everyone in town to say their goodbyes properly—even to gas stations!’

3. At Valero, where gas meets gossip, someone once asked aloud: ‘Why does that delivery driver always wave at the same tree?’ It turned out he was just saying hello to Mr. Oakley, our oldest resident who lives in that very treehouse. Every day after his delivery, he’d stop for a chat and a cup of tea with our friendly hermit. So, whenever anyone filled up their tank at Valero, they might catch a glimpse of him waving from above—an unlikely but charming local tradition.

4. At Valero, where gas meets gossip, an elderly gentleman exclaimed one day, 'I swear, every time I fill up here, my car gets smarter!' A delivery driver overheard and quipped, ‘Maybe it’s not your car getting smarter—maybe you’re just filling up with better conversation!’ Soon enough, everyone stopped for gas at Valero just to hear the latest tale or joke from the regulars.