Hess Convenience Stores Will Remain Open

Hess spokesman Dennis Moynihan wants it made clear: Hess is not closing the convenience stores that operate along with their gas stations.

"What does that mean? We're not closing our convenience stores," Moynihan said Tuesday in an effort to clarify the record. 

When the news broke on Monday that Hess would be divesting itself of its retail gasoline stations and other retail operations to focus on oil development and exploration, Moynihan said many people were under the impression that the convenience stores would be closing.

Nothing, he emphasized, could be further from the truth.

"That means we're looking for different ownership opportunities. It didn't mean we are going to own the stores," but it means whoever the buyer is of the Hess gasoline chain will be owning and operating the convenience stores.

And even that doesn't mean that the Hess name and the familiar green and white signs won't accompany the purchase.

"Who knows? The Hess name may go along with them," Moynihan said.

“The divestiture of our retail stores is in the early stage and will take some time. In the meantime,  it’s business as usual at all of our Hess retail stores.  Our long-standing commitment to competitive prices and high quality customer service to our customers will not change," the company said in a statement they released when questions arose about the fate of the Hess convenience stores.

"The Hess brand is a strong and valuable brand that will live long into the future."