Thorntons Opens: Gas Price Wars Underway

JOLIET, IL— There's an old saying, a penny saved is a penny earned. On Wednesday night, Joliet's newly opened Thorntons gas station at the corner of Collins and Jackson Streets was selling unleaded gasoline for $2.24 a gallon. The Gulf gas station across the street was selling its gasoline for $2.25 per gallon.

The opening of Thorntons was highly anticipated because Joliet's east-side residents have complained that gas prices are several cents per gallon higher than gas sold on the west side of Joliet. Thorntons opened Tuesday night, prompting a price war with its neighboring competition, Gulf.

The new Thorntons was built at 0the site of the 1851 Casseday House, which was moved in March to an empty lot on Jackson Street to appease Joliet historic preservationists who did not want the Casseday House torn down.

" Thorntons is proud to have partnered with the City of Joliet and the Will County Historical Society to relocate the historic Casseday House to its new location," Thorntons' marketing staff recently notified Joliet Patch. "In honor of our new store opening, we will donate $2,500 to the Will County Historical Society to help with their ongoing efforts to preserve the historic home."

The Collins Street Thorntons will eventually feature video gambling machines. Customers will be able to pump their gas, go inside to drink alcohol and play the video machines inside the convenient store, as a result of a unique arrangement approved by the Joliet City Council in January.

However, Thorntons does not plan to operate video gambling for another three to six months.

On Wednesday, the Collins Street Thorntons was selling packaged beer as well as fresh Polish sausages, hot dogs and fresh baked goods. The new Thorntons also sells snacks, chips, candy and assorted household items including soaps and laundry detergents.