But this gas is different. Well, maybe not the gas, but the gas station. I’ve never been much of a loyalist when it comes to gas. It’s a convenience thing for me. I get gas wherever I happen to be when my car is on empty.

But a while back I came out of my house one cold morning and my battery was dead. Triple A gave me a jump but told me the battery was basically shot and I should get a new one ASAP. I was already running late that day so I went down the hill to Forrest’s Marathon Station (now owned by Duxler Complete Auto Care) at 1201 Green Bay Road in Wilmette to see if they could help me.

I had no sooner settled in with my newspaper and complimentary cup of coffee when they told me I was all set. The new battery was already installed. I don’t think it took five minutes. After I paid for the battery I realized I needed gas so I pulled up to the pump and started to get out to pump my gas when Ed came bounding up and said, “I’ll take care of that”. I thought he was just being nice because I had just had my car serviced there. But no. Turns out that they actually pump everyone’s gas.  I’ve always been a do-it-yourselfer when it comes to gas, but I have to say that, when it’s 20 degrees out and sleeting, it sure is nice to sit in my warm car and have someone else do it for me.

Today I needed gas again, so I headed down to my new favorite gas station. This time I brought my camera, snapped some pix and talked to the owner, Glenn Moak. Duxler has three other locations (Evanston, Northbrook and Skokie) but this one is the only one that has gas. Glenn says their goal is to put the service back into service stations. They pump the gas and, no, it’s not more expensive than self-serve places; in fact, it’s a bit cheaper. They have a full-service garage and tire replacement operation. They also have the cleanest bathrooms in town. They’ll even top off the windshield wiper fluid in your car and give you a lollipop when they’re all done. You can’t beat that.

ATTENTION LADIES: Thursdays are Ladies’ Day at all Duxler locations. For every oil change, Duxler will donate $2.00 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and you’ll also be entered in a drawing to win a day spa certificate.

So, if you’re sightseeing on the North Shore or touring homes for sale or just driving your kids’ carpools and need to make a pit stop, Duxler’s Marathon Gas is the place to go.