Gulf Gasoline Service
Henry and Luvia Gilmore purchased the 272 Old Westford Road Gulf station property from Ernest Ramstrom in January 1931.
Royal and Catherine Larson purchased the Gulf station property from Henry and Luvia Gilmore in August 1945.
Royal Larson appeared before the selectmen in August 1948. He needed approval for an increase in his gasoline storage tanks from 1,500 to 4,000 gallons
Opposition to Expansion
Royal and Catherine Larson, in partnership with Robert Hicks, applied for a variance in September 1972. They proposed to demolish the service station at 272 Od Westford Road and construct a new one. A sketch done by Stephen Wojcik showed a new 24 x 28-foot building with a single oil and grease bay. Robert Hicks would purchase this, and his son would operate it. The Chelmsford Recreation Commission was in charge of the 21-acre Roberts Field next door and unanimously opposed the plan. The Board of Appeals denied the Larson and Hicks plan in October citing three reasons:
- It would be detrimental to the neighborhood,
- A derogation from the intent of the Zoning By-Law, and
- No hardship to the land existed
Robert Hicks purchased the service station from Royal and Catherine Larson in December 1972.
The Board of Selectmen approved transfer of the 4,000-gallon gasoline storage license from the Larsons to Hicks in January 1974. Robert then applied for an increase in gasoline storage capacity from 4,000 to 20,000 gallons. The ongoing gasoline crisis provided a plausible reason why the storage increase was necessary. With tremendous public pressure against, the Board of Selectmen unanimously denied this application. In December the Chelmsford Board of Appeals approved installation of two underground 10,000-gallon gasoline storage tanks. The Board of Selectmen approved the tanks the next month. New EPA regulations required use of unleaded gasoline. Litchfield Oil planned to use the new tanks for unleaded and regular gas, with premium in the original 2,000-gallon tanks.
Litchfield Oil Ownership
The Litchfield Oil Co. purchased the Gulf station, then known as Dave’s Gulf, from Robert Hicks in July 1975. In September Judge Elliot Cowdrey, District Court Justice in Lowell, annulled Chelmsford’s decision to approve additional gasoline storage. Neighbors believed a nonconforming gas station should follow the same rules it did when the Chelmsford Zoning By-Laws were enacted. In November the Board of Appeals re-heard the application of Litchfield Oil Co. for the additional underground storage variance. With no hardship proven, this application was unanimously denied.
Town Constable William and wife Patricia Spence purchased the store and Gulf station from Litchfield Oil Co. in August 1980. They operated as the Town and Country Store, with Gulf gasoline service. Spence Oil Co. received the gasoline storage license from Litchfield Oil Co. in September. This store became a beloved neighborhood spot for essentials and conversation.
Bill Spence applied for a variance in June 1981 to construct a 12′ x 18′ addition to their business. In December the Town and Country Convenience Store announced they were changing the gasoline provider from Gulf to Citgo.
Texaco Gasoline Service
In December 1983 a newspaper ad recognized the store as the Town and Country Texaco at 272 Old Westford Road. This was in the year-end Newsweekly issue wishing readers a Happy New Year. Employees mentioned in the ad were Bill, Gayle, Mark, Tom, Scott, Pat, and Lew. Apparently, the partnership with Texaco did not work out, and the store changed to Citgo as previously announced.
Citgo Gasoline Service
Bill Spence applied for an increase in gasoline storage capacity from 4,000 to 12,000 gallons in January 1985. This failed.
The Board of Appeals granted Bill permission to convert his service station into a convenience store in December 1987. The name Town and Country Store was to become Town and Country Convenience Store. Removal of the gasoline tanks and pumps were part of the plan. In an unusual turn of events, customers and neighbors expressed dismay over losing their convenient local gasoline service. As a result, Bill and Pat decided to keep the pumps and tanks and continue gasoline service. Directories list the store as Town & Country Convenience Citgo Station through 1990.
End of Gasoline Service
In June 1991 Bill Spence requested a special permit from the Board of Appeals. Again, the purpose was to allow removal of all gasoline equipment and convert the structure into a convenience store.
Convenience Store Era
Lynn Gervais-Smith purchased the store from Bill Spence’s Spence Nominee Trust in August 2013. As Smitty’s Country Store, she modernized the store with updated tech, grab-and-go food, and a family-friendly vibe.
Sitthirath Keomanikhone, as trustee of Rosie’s Town Store, LLC, purchased the store from Lynn Gervais-Smith in May 2014. As seen here, Rosie’s Town Store advertised ice, lottery tickets, slush puppies, and Green Mountain Coffee.
Laura Lindberg of Westford purchased the store from Sitthirath Keomanikhone in August 2018. With legal entity The Nickerson Sisters LLC, she planned to renovate the store as the Three Sisters Shack. Laura’s three daughters inspired this name.
The plan was to replace the roof and one wall with building commissioner approval. During construction the remaining three walls proved unusable, and the Chelmsford Historical Commission approved their demolition. The town permitted her to build an 8′ x 30.4′ farmers porch on the front of the building.
It became a community gathering place with a welcoming atmosphere and rustic vibe. Unfortunately, COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021 hit this business hard.
Post Covid Era
Sara Morin purchased the store from Laura Lindberg in January 2022. With legal entity 272 Old Westford Rd LLC, she opened the business as the Country Creamery & Coffeehouse.
Some of the items served: soft serve and Dole Whip ice cream in classic and seasonal flavors; ice cream pies and coffee Oreo ice cream cake; specialty lattes, mochas, and cold brews-including seasonal hits like gingerbread mocha and iced pumpkin latte; muffins, pastries, and other comfort foods with a homemade touch.
Outdoor seating was provided, under umbrellas as needed, in a barrier-protected area conveniently located next to Roberts Field.
References:
- Middlesex North Registry of Deeds
- Newspaper, Chelmsford Independent
- Newspaper, Chelmsford Newsweekly
- Newspaper, Chelmsford Sentinel
- Website, www.bizpedia.com
- Website, www.chamberofcommerce.com
- Website, www.chelmsfordma.gov
- Website, www.country-creamery.com photos
- Website, www.opencorporates.com
- Website, www.chelmhist.org directories
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