Drivers will have two fewer fuel options along Highway 305 this spring.
Brown Bear Car Wash of Seattle plans to shut down two Chevron stations on the highway in the next six weeks. Its location off Hostmark Street in Poulsbo on Feb. 26. The Chevron off Hildebrand Lane on Bainbridge Island will close March 31, according to Brown Bear regional manager Larae Giuseffi.
Giuseffi declined to discuss the reason behind the closures. A call to Brown Bear’s corporate office was not returned Friday.
Brown Bear also owns a gas station at Highway 305 and High School Road, across the street from its Hildebrand location. Giuseffi said the company will keep that station open.
The closure of Brown Bear’s Hildebrand location will leave Bainbridge with two gas stations (a 76 station operates in Island Center).
Fuel stations on the island and in Poulsbo compete with tribally-owned stations in Suquamish, which work under a different taxing agreement than private sellers and can generally offer cheaper prices.
A Safeway store and gas station opened near Highway 305 and Lincoln Road last June, adding 10 pumps to the thoroughfare.
