By: Jeanie Mayer
Tucked-in along State Street in downtown Hampshire, there’s a little gas station that doesn’t sell gas. Trimmed in red with a Mobile Oil logo on the marquee, Ross’s Gas Pump Garage offers nostalgia in the form of vintage pumps, oil cans, signs and more, all from the 20th Century.
Lifelong Hampshire resident, Randy Ross, turned his passion for antique gas station memorabilia into a business when he opened Ross’s Gas Pump Garage at 106 S State Street.
Ross began collecting vintage gas pumps and other pieces many years ago as a hobby. He used his home garage to work on and restore them as a collector and a hobbyist. He said he would often do restoration work for others as well.
Ross initially rented the “gas station” from the Petersen family in 2003 and later purchased the building in 2012.
“I had been a collector for 35 years and turned my hobby into a business.”
Ross said there is no shortage of old gas pumps and antique signs for him to restore, or distress, as the customers often want an antiqued look; and no shortage of people who are seeking to purchase old signs and gas station paraphernalia.
“I buy collections. People come in and sell them to me. I also go out “picking” in Iowa or Michigan or Illinois. There is a lot out there.”
Ross’s customers can be found just about everywhere, from Hampshire to Scottsdale, AZ, to Switzerland.
He said people also come into the station for other items.
“Shoppers sometimes come in for cigarettes or gas. They are a little disappointed when they realize we don’t sell those things,” he said.
But for those who know what they are looking for, Ross offers a treasure trove of collectibles to buy as well as a veritable museum of antique toys, pedal cars, and pumps that can be viewed, but are not for sale.
Ross does most of the restoration work himself and has a wait list of about 8 months for new projects, but when he needs some detailed artwork, he calls on the skills of Joe Filek of Captain America Designs.
Joe leases space in Randy’s building where he does body work on cars, and also paints the antiques. Joe has been doing auto body work and painting for about 30 years. He got his start working with his dad in St. Charles before working in Hampshire.
Ross said he has done some unusual projects for clients including Resource Bank, whose buildings always have an historic component built into them.
“I have done a lot of restoration work for Resource Bank. I restored a dinner bell, an old wood burning stove, lightning rods, and I restored three gas pumps for the Sycamore Bank.
About this Business
Name: Ross’s Gas Pump Garage
Owner: Randy Ross
Location: 106 S State Street, Hampshire
Phone: 847-561-4110
Website: www.GasPumpHampshire.com
Email: gasandoilman1@aol.com