Valero

About this location

A few stories people tell about this place

1. At Valero gas station late one night, a delivery driver noticed something odd—an owl perched on the pump, staring intently as if it were waiting for someone. Curious, he approached and saw that the bird was holding a tiny note in its beak. Unfolding it, he read: ‘Out of gas? Fill up with kindness!’ Turns out, it was just an April Fool’s prank by a neighbor who wanted everyone to smile more.

2. At Valero gas station, a neighborhood kid was pumping gas for his dad when he spotted an old man standing motionless near the pumps. The boy waved, but the stranger didn't move or respond. The boy shrugged and finished filling up the tank. Later that evening, while watching TV with his family, they saw an elderly gentleman on the news accepting a key to the city for decades of volunteer work. Turned out, it was the same guy who stood there like a statue—just waiting for someone to recognize him as a local hero. Everyone had a good laugh over dinner.

3. At Valero gas station, an employee found an old, dusty harmonica in the parking lot one morning. Nobody claimed it, so he kept it on the counter. Soon after, customers started leaving strange notes and small gifts next to it. One day a delivery driver left a note saying his dog had stolen the harmonica again. A few days later, a neighbor dropped off a new harmonica with a card that read, ‘Sorry for the confusion!’ The harmonica became such a fixture that even when people didn’t leave anything, they’d stop by just to say hello. Valero’s employees joked that maybe the harmonica was actually a ghost musician who needed gas money.

4. At Valero gas station on a stormy night, a lone worker heard strange whispers coming from the pumps. Curious, he approached the pumps and found an old cassette player blasting country music. Turns out, it was just a delivery driver who left it behind. The next day, everyone laughed over coffee, calling him ‘Valero’s Country DJ.’