HOUSTON – Several Exxon gas stations in Houston temporarily closed Thursday.
Exxon sold 80 gas stations to a local convenience store company, and Thursday was the big change over.
Several of stations were closed for a few hours while the new owner, Landmark Industries, inspected the stores. Similar temporary closures are expected over the next few weeks.
An Exxon spokeswoman said Exxon wants to focus less on selling snacks and sodas and more on what it does best -- oil and gas exploration and the next generation of of fuels and lubrications.
Energy experts said Exxon is following many other oil and gas companies getting out of the retail gas business because of the low margins at gas stations.
Exxon will continue to supply the gas to the stations. The convenience stores' names will change from "On the Run" to "Timewise."
All of the stores will also continue to take Exxon credit cards and Speedpass devices.