A Gas Station Reflects Long Beach's Melting Pot

My friend invited me to have a cup of coffee with him at a Long Beach gas station, and I made an outstanding discovery.

Much to my surprise, On The Run, at the Mobile station at East Park Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard, turned out to be much more than a convenience store.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when we walked in. It was a coffee shop, restaurant, grocery, dairy and variety store all in one. I certainly had never seen anything like it in the wonderful city where I’ve lived for decades. I was flabbergasted!

There was a huge setup with many varieties of coffee, hot chocolate, iced coffee, latte and soft drinks. Plus, it’s all self-serve, so you can have a blast deciding on which to pick. And trust me, I have tried them all.

Over in one corner was a short order grill, supplying not only breakfast specials, but also lunch, and a recently added Nathan’s counter, a small version of the restaurant in Oceanside. 

In the middle of it all was a large case with all kinds of salads, sandwiches, hardboiled eggs, and even apples and bananas, if you care to purchase them individually. There is also a grocery section, including dairy products and drinks. You can also purchase auto items for your car, including windshield wiper fluid. During the winter, of course, they were selling snow removal products and small bags of wood for your fireplace.

At the front counter is a long counter where you can sit and look outside at the station and neighboring streets. So that’s what my friend and I did.  We sat at the counter and enjoyed our delicious coffee blends and observed the goings-on outside.

As the cars, trucks, vans and police cars pulled in, I was kind of reminded of the days I spent in New York City. I had always been amazed at all the different kinds of people I encountered there and how it was truly a “melting pot.”

I couldn’t believe that each and every person was of a different color, ethnic group and cultural group, and they all seemed to be from many different walks of life. I noticed plumbers, electricians, contractors, blue and white collar workers, mail clerks, city workers, policemen, moms with their children, old and young alike.

We returned to On the Run several times after that. On one occasion I introduced myself to Cesar, the manager, and he was quite pleased that I was so interested in his establishment.

We would always sit at the counter and from that vantage point, I began to talk to various people. I asked one man who had his dog tied up outside if the dog was his. It turned out he worked for a veterinarian and had done some dog training. He gave me all kinds of tips for training my son’s little nipper. I remarked to him that maybe the next time I came in, I might be lucky enough to sit next to a doctor and get some free medical advice.

I’ve spoken to a number of different people, including a contractor and a mail clerk. Our conversations were mostly friendly chatter about nothing in particular.

There is one particular gentleman who I always look forward to seeing at least once a week and we generally have a debate about one thing or another.  Everyone seems to be amenable to small talk. It’s a great way to start the day. 

The atmosphere there evokes a particular kind of friendliness that seems to be so rare these days. I believe it’s simply due to the fact that the people who run this business embrace your presence with their broad smiles and big hellos to all who enter the establishment. No doubt, the invisible welcome mat and welcome signs are omnipresent.

As a proud resident of Long Beach, I felt the need to share this experience with my community, to show everyone that Long Beach is truly our “melting pot” and that all kinds of people reside here in peaceful harmony.