I had read one or two shorter stories about this and not surprised at this at all.  The story is the independent gas stations being hurt by the BP oil spill and the ensuing boycotts that have sprung up is not very surprising to me.  This story just brings to light one more area that is being harmed from the huge catastrophe that the oil spill has become.  This information is just something to keep in mind the next time you get gas.

“The biggest hit comes not from lost gas sales but from lost convenience store business. Owners like Juckniess make just pennies on a gallon of gas. But they might make up to 55 cents on a $1 cup of coffee. The margins on candy and chips are about 48 percent and 37 percent, respectively, Jeff Lenard of the National Association of Convenience Stores.

…The boycott’s impact on BP is limited. The company makes most of its money exploring and producing oil in places such as Angola, Egypt, the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

….And even if drivers opt to fill up at an Exxon or 7-Eleven, they still may buy BP gasoline. Because of the way gas is refined and marketed, BP fuel gets supplied to stations other than those with BP brands.”

via As drivers shun BP gas, station owners want full service from BP to help get business back | StarTribune.com.