Michael’s gas station owners celebrate 25th anniversary

The Michael’s West Exxon gas station has never closed its doors in 64 years, making it the longest continuously operated service station in the county, according to its current owners.

For 25 years, Michael and Sherri Hayes have owned the Kalispell business located at the busy U.S. 2 and Meridian Road. The service station has also maintained its independent and family-run operations, a rare feat in the industry, they note.

At one point or another, all of the Hayes’ six children have worked in the gas station, and now, the grandchildren. Tiffany Howard, their oldest child, began work at the gas station when her parents took over ownership and is currently the manager.

“I challenge you to find someone with more experience than Tiffany. She handles herself so well and has such a presence about her,” said Michael proudly. “We love Kalispell and we like what we do here. We've been in a lot of businesses and this one is so positive. It's not glamorous what we do, but it's important.”

From serving celebrities like Evel Knievel to having cars smash into the building to using the gas station as a backdrop in a film, the Hayes have had their fair share of adventures.

Tiffany served as an extra in 2020 when the movie “Zero Road” was filmed at the store. It stars Jackson Rathbone and Brandon Thomas Lee and was produced by Kalispell native, Colin Floom.

Moving forward, Michael and Sherri plan to add solar panels to produce 50% of the power for the station, install high-efficiency toilets, eliminate 70% of their irrigation needs through changes in landscaping, and eventually hope to add an electric car charging station. The couple expressed that even though they are in the gas station industry, they care about protecting the environment.

“We like to think of ourselves as environmentalists and the solar panels are a good example of that. We want to be more energy efficient and keep up with what’s going on in the world. We operate with the idea that it's a moral responsibility to save electricity and our natural resources,” said Michael.

In addition, a diesel exhaust fluid dispenser is being installed on the station’s diesel island to better serve trucks. The addition will help eliminate emissions by cleaning up exhaust before it is released into the atmosphere.

“The world is powered by diesel, any efforts to eliminate emissions make a big difference,” said Michael.

When the gas station was built back in 1958, there were no interstates and, according to Michael, truck stops were less common. While the service station used to be in a less habited area of the valley, it now sits right in the heart of Kalispell.

“We average about 1,500 to 2,000 customers per day and people come here from all over the world,” said Michael. “During our time in business, we estimate that we’ve made 20 million transactions.”

To show appreciation for their customers, Michael and Sherri are holding a celebration on May 18, 19 and 20 at the gas station with discounted prices on most items, free lottery tickets to the first 250 customers, and the opportunity to win prizes.

“This really is a customer appreciation day,” Michael said. “We’ve been blessed, and every day that people push through that door, we’re gratified.”

The service station is open 24/7 and can be reached by calling 406-755-9491.

Reporter Summer Zalesky may be reached at szalesky@dailyinterlake.com.