Du Quoin Shell Out of Business

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[All of the gas pump handles at both 4-Villy Shell (formerly Willi Oil Co.) stations on West Main Street and Rt. 51 south in Du Quoin were covered with plastic bags Thursday, and employees say they expect no more deliveries. Some employees have been given "last day" notices and the newspaper understands this morning that both of the Du Quoin stations are for sale. The Du Quoin gas marts were purchased years ago by a suburban Chicago oil company and have never been price-competitive since. No one can seem to confirm whether the gas marts are poised to close completely. Closure would bring to an end a huge local history. The Willi Oil Co. began in 1920 with a station on the northwest corner of North Division and Park Streets (Frederick Battery Station location) and flourished as the town's first gas station. The community was closely linked not only to the growing Shell-affiliated oil company through late brothers Don and Justin, but through their children, as well. The ultimate sale wound up in litigation over contractual language but, all told, the relationship between the town and new owners was never the same.