Outside the Box

Sometimes the best gifts don’t come wrapped in a box. Here’s how the family at Yorktown Service Plaza can help keep you—and your car—road-ready for holiday shopping. You can even cross a name or two off your holiday gift-giving list. Yes, really!

By: Bill Yurgen
Date: 11/19/2008
Let’s face it. Every year the holidays grow a little more challenging. The stores are increasingly crowded, finding an appreciated and affordable gift is more difficult than ever and this year, well, let’s just say that many people are having a tough time getting into the holiday spirit.

But there are ways to get through it all. Take lots of coffee breaks between stores, keep your gas tank full in cold weather—and make frequent trips to Yorktown Service Plaza.

How can a gas station/tire store/car wash/full-service garage/convenience store/coffee shop and gourmet express restaurant make the holidays easier?
I’m glad you asked.

Let’s start with those frequent coffee breaks. Why not treat yourself to a legendary fresh-brewed Yorktown gourmet coffee or cappuccino? Any size is priced right for the season at 99-cents. That alone will save you over $3.00 a cup compared to the prices at corporate chains. And Yorktown’s coffee has been known to beat the chains in unofficial blind taste tests.

While you’re there, grab a menu. “Our breakfast sandwiches are made fresh to order and they’re the real thing,” Matt Shull tells me, “not some processed factory sandwich that get’s shoved into the microwave.” Matt is the director of Yorktown’s convenience store.

Now, you’ve got your coffee and breakfast on the run. But keep that menu handy to order dinner when you’ve finished a hard day of power shopping. There’s no mess, no fuss, and if you take home their famous broaster chicken, you’re sure to make everyone at home happy. Dinner from a gas station? Yes, it’s that good.

If your gas tank is getting low, you won’t need to stop elsewhere. Fill up on quality Valero fuel (the same fuel chosen for the Ohio Turnpike) and receive an additional five cents off per gallon simply by paying cash inside or using your Valero credit card at the pump. When you do head inside to pay for your gas (or pick up dinner), you’ll be greeted by friendly, welcoming faces. While there, go ahead and grab some of the basics on your shopping list. Congratulations. You just checked off several items on your “to-do list.”

Oops. You didn’t get the car washed.

“We have the best wash in town. Our water is triple filtered to leave your car spot-free,” Matt will tell you. So go ahead and give your car a treat as well. And when you see how stunning it looks, you may want to consider a gift book of washes. You can buy five and receive six, or buy 10 and get 12. And really, wouldn’t Uncle Harry appreciate the gift of a clean car instead of that “Love Boat” VHS collection you were thinking of giving him?

I have one last suggestion. As crazy as it may sound, nothing say’s “love” like a set of tires for a son or daughter who is driving in the snow with worn out tires and likely carrying passengers who are also very dear to you. You might even have on your gift list someone with a car that’s acting up. Stop next door to see Byron Shull in Yorktown’s service center and he can arrange to end those problems and make you a real hero with the perfect gift.

To order fresh food fast, call 440-843-9300. Yorktown Service Plaza is located at 6177 Pearl Road at the corner of Pearl and Ackley in Parma Heights. Hours are Monday-Saturday 5:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Sunday 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. For tires and auto care, call 440-885-2222 or just stop in.

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