Video: SOCO Sells Stores To Vernon Based Company

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- You see their logo all over Northeast, Mississippi. But starting next week, Sanders Oil Company will be no more. David Sanders served as Secretary of Sanders Oil. The company has been in his family for generations.

“It’s a sad day, but it’s a good day. My grandfather started Sanders Oil back in the 30’s. He built the station off Military where Will Roofing is now. For the last 25 years, we’ve been with Chevron, Texaco. My brother Lee is getting up in age and we just decided it would be best for the family to move on,” said Sanders.

The company finalized the deal Monday. Selling all 14 of its stores to Vernon, Alabama based Midstates Petroleum Company.

“We go all the way up from Talladega to Mobile, Memphis and Mississippi,” said Mayers.

Midstates Petroleum started in the early 1990’s. They also own Texaco and Chevron stores. Company owner Mack Mayers is happy about the opportunity to expand in the golden triangle.

“We have a lot of customers in the area who buy directly from us, large use customers. We want to continue to provide them with services and petroleum products as well,” said Mayers.

Tabatha Hollins is the manager of the Riverhill Chevron in Columbus. She says she’ll miss the close knit relationship she had with the Sanders family.

“Not going to their office everyday or seeing them come in here. We are very happy though that a well known company is taking over and that we don’t have to worry about if we’re going to have a job or not. They’ve told us that we’re all going to have jobs and that is a stress reliever for us,” said Hollins.

For 80 years, many Mississippi residents have been stopping by SOCO stations for lunch or to pump their gas. Many of them tell us they’re sad to hear that the company is leaving.

“I feel like it’s going to affect a lot of people who come here often but you’ve just got to look forward to the future,” said Steens resident Jessie Gavin.

“I didn’t know they were selling it. But I’m sure if they take over and do the same thing they’ve been doing it will be good,” said Columbus Rick Shirley.

David Sanders says they had many bidders and he believes Midstates Petroleum will continue the tradition of excellence and service that SOCO customers have come to expect.

“I’ve gotten to know Mack and Rick Mayer, the buyers very well in Vernon, Al. They’re great people. They operate under the same philosophy that we operate under and that’s why we chose them. I wish them a long success and I think they will do a great job,” said Sanders.

Sanders tells us they expect to transfer all their stores over to Midstates Petroleum by next week.