A man drove into the closed Oak Harbor AM/PM gas station Wednesday to inquire when it would reopen.

What’s the hurry?

“Because they have the cheapest prices in town,” said Tom Flowers, who has purchased his gas there about as far back as he can remember.

Barbara Alderette, manager of the AM/PM over the past nine years, told Flowers that the station could open any day now.

“Is it still going to be cheaper than anywhere else?” asked Flowers, seeking some assurance that the remodeled station won’t come with higher gas prices.

Alderette couldn’t answer specifically because she doesn’t set the prices for the station. “We’re still going to be very competitive,” she told Flowers.

While the gas station is actually an ARCO, most people know it for the AM/PM convenience store.

Coincidence or not, since AM/PM closed for the remodel around the first of December, gas prices have shot up in Oak Harbor.

AM/PM was still open when Safeway started pumping gas from its new station in late November. It matched AM/PM’s cash price of $2.37 for unleaded regular, and actually undercut it with its cardholder discount.

But since AM/PM closed, Oak Harbor gas prices have climbed steadily. Some of the lower prices this week include $2.71 at Safeway, $2.71 at Cenex and $2.69 at Hilltop Texaco.

That’s roughly a 35 cent increase in the last month, which far surpasses the state average. AAA Washington reported that as of Thursday the average price for regular in this state was $2.66, an increase of only 12 cents from a month ago.

Another sign that things may have changed with the temporary closure of AM/PM is that the big disparity between Oak Harbor and South Whidbey gas prices has been reduced. In recent years the difference has been around 20 cents a gallon, but now it’s half that.

Freeland Shell was selling regular for $2.79 Thursday, just 8 cents below Safeway’s posted price.

Alderette doesn’t spend her time tracking gas prices, but she said several people have commented to her that prices have gone up since AM/PM closed.

“A lot of people have noticed,” she said. “I think they’ve gone up.”

While Alderette can’t make any promises on price, she is sure customers will enjoy the remodeled AM/PM gas station and convenience store on Highway 20.

It’ll have all new pumps with the addition of green-handled diesel fuel dispensers to meet growing demand for diesel. The remodeled store will offer all the old favorites and fresh pastry items.

“And no more orange floors,” Alderette said with a laugh. “That’s been a running joke with us.”

As for gas prices in Oak Harbor, if they start to drop in the coming days we’ll know who to blame.