Rising gas prices cause a change in lifestyle for some.

By NIKI LARSON

Date published: 3/12/2005

Gas could soon cost $2 a gallon

Spotsylvania County resident Shelba Brown had just filled up her car with Pure at a convenience store on U.S 1 in Fredericksburg.

She didn't look pleased.

The gas cost $1.77 a gallon. "I think it's ridiculous is what I think," Brown said.

Gas prices are on the rise both nationally and regionally, and industry experts are speculating that average prices in Virginia could escalate to $2 per gallon for regular by the summer.

Brown believes that gas prices in Spotsylvania are higher than Fredericksburg's, so she opts to make the drive into Fredericksburg for fill-ups.

But if prices keep going up, she won't be able to make the commute.

"I have to stay home," Brown said. "I'm on disability, and I can't afford this."

Others are also feeling the pain of the pump prices.

Gordon Bishop, manager at the Pure Food Mart, has noticed a slump in his business just in the last week.

Rising gas prices are to blame.

"It puts a hurt on the business," Bishop said. "People won't go out if it's too expensive."

He said his customers keep an eye on the prices.

"People come in and ask when the price is going to go up again," Bishop said.

Just minutes away at the Princess Anne Store, owner Manzoor Zaidi, charges 8 cents more per gallon for regular.

At $1.85 per gallon, Zaidi has felt the backlash of the rising prices.

"Customers are complaining," Zaidi said. "A guy came in from Lorton and said he paid $2.36 per gallon."

But Zaidi remains positive: "I'm surviving," he said.

Robert Stowe is also surviving, and he has been employed for 40 years as a driver for Hildrup Taxi Service in Fredericksburg.

When he first started, Stowe said he could go anywhere in town and gas up for 40 cents a gallon.

The prices now, are the highest he's seen.

Because of the increase, Stowe, now a manager, might be forced to raise his rates.

"It's just terrible," he said. "I would hate to raise them again, but we don't have a choice."

The costs have caused the business to reduce from 33 to 29 the number of cabs in service, Stowe said.

Date published: 3/12/2005