From left, EZ Group staff members Sandy, Athiea, Susan, Louise, Caron and Stacy join manager Craig Pearson for another busy day on the job.
Lyonel Doherty photo
Craig Pearson will never forget the phone call he received from his boss on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012.
It was a call that immediately left him feeling numb and empty.
Pearson was informed that their renovations of the Oasis Shell had burned to the ground, along with their dream. He could only wish it was all a joke.
“We were both totally devastated . . . seeing all that hard work disappear.”
The renovations for the fuel station were almost complete. The new pumps were to be installed on September 4 and the asphalt was to be poured the day after.
The fire was a major setback, but there was no way that owner Terry Feeny was going to cut his losses and run.
“He told me he was going to do whatever we needed to do to get the place going again,” said Pearson, who was just hired as the manager.
Two other employees left their previous jobs to work at EZ Group, so Feeny didn’t want to disappoint them.
“There was never a doubt; this whole thing had been his dream,” Pearson said.
They never did find out who set the fire, but Pearson said he was told by authorities that it was likely the same two people who set the high school ablaze.
But that was then and this is now, with EZ Group celebrating its one-year anniversary.
Nine staff members run the operation, which includes EZ Fuel (with propane services), EZ Bins, EZ Truck and Car Rental, Country Style coffee, and a sub sandwich deli service.
Pearson said the transformation from the old Oasis Shell station to now is incredible, noting they spared no expense to make the new building very durable and energy efficient.
Many customers have stated it is the cleanest gas station they have ever seen.
Pearson said they owe much of their success to the community, particularly the regional district that pulled out all of the stops to help the renovations move forward. He also recognized area contractors who did a fantastic job with the building.
Part of EZ Group’s success comes from the establishment of several businesses on the property. For example, they opened a deli to offer homemade sandwiches with 100 grams of meat in every sub.
Pearson said they’ve seen a huge demand for EZ Bins, which people use for tree clearing and demolition jobs. Three of their bins are pink, and part of the proceeds from their rental go to breast cancer research.
Sandy Gladish, manager of EZ Truck and Car Rental, said they have 11 vehicles on site, with several more coming for the spring and summer season.
For more information about EZ Group services, call 250-498-6161.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
