By Maureen Werther
The O’Connor Companies of Glens Falls, a fourth generation excavating, construction, and industrial building contractor, recently completed two site work projects in the region—Asad Petroleum, a gas station, truck stop and convenience store Route 149 and Ridge Road in Queensbury, and Fastrac Café at 208 Corinth Road, Queensbury, also a convenience store and gas station.
The excavation and site work for both projects was done by O’Connor. According to Scott Howe, construction manager, Fastrac is contemplating opening as many as 12 more stores in the region He said that O’Connor will bid on the projects as they happen.
Fastrac Cafés are open 24 hours and they offer a broader range of food and beverages than some of the smaller convenient stores. The newest store in Queensbury is located just off the Northway Exit 18 and has resulted in the creation of several part-time and full-time positions.
Asad Petroleum is owned by Tabasum Sheilch. The original store is located in Warrensburg and is a gas station, truck stop and automotive repair shop. The company also sells propane, race fuel and non-ethanol fuel. It sells convenient food and beverages and provides overnight parking space for truckers and campers.
The new Asad Petroleum store is located at 985 Route 149, in between Northway exits 20 and 21. It offers all the same products and services, with the exception of the automotive repair component. Both locations are open from 4 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.
Warrensburg store manager Jessica Carson has been with Asad Petroleum for 12 years. She said that the second location has resulted in the creation of at least a half dozen new jobs. Asad currently has about 20 employees between both locations.
Carson said that there are no plans at this time to open a third location.
The O’Connor Companies has been in business in the region since 1904 and was founded by Thomas D. O’Connor, an Irish immigrant who began as a stone mason, specializing in building churches. Over the years, the company’s name has changed to reflect its growth and diversity. Now in its fourth generation as a family owned and operated business, the company provides site work, excavation, project management, mechanical piping installations and industrial construction under its various companies, Beacon Piping, O’Connor Safety, O’Connor Corporation and O’Connor Constructors. Offices are located in Glens Falls and Canton, Mass.