Columbus #8

Sing Food Store

1400 Double Churches Road

Columbus, GA 31904

Built in 1979, Columbus #8 was constructed right on the heels of Columbus #7 yet has a few subtle differences, most notable is the wooden canopy; it is possibly the only station remaining with an original cypress pump canopy that is fully in-tact. This model of station was designed to feature the wood as a warm, artistic touch in contrast to the traditional steel of the time. What is even more surprising is that the canopy was expanded twice to accommodate four more pumps which used wood to match the existing structure. The first expansion happened sometime between 1993 and 1999 after Summit bought the station. The second expansion happened between 2008 and 2009 to bring the canopy to its present size. During this time, the wood was painted white so the full effect doesn't remain but it is nice to see this adaptive reuse, even though the canopy leaks between the 2008 addition and the original roof-line.

Columbus #8 Sing Store in 2021 - Sing Oil Company Blog - Columbus, GA

Circa 1979 Sing wooden pump canopy - still in use in 2021 at Columbus #8
The original configuration ended before pump 5 and only been two columns wide, not three.

While the canopy at Columbus #8 now houses six multi-grade pumps that can accommodate a total of twelve cars, it was originally built to house six single-grade pumps with the ability to park four cars. Three pumps would have been centered between each set of columns, directly under the center of the pitched roof. A similar configuration is seen in the picture of Columbus #7, just with a different canopy style. The divide between the original canopy and the addition can be seen in the photo below just above and to the right of pump 8. The peak of the original canopy can be seen above pump 2 where a beam is running.

The "front" of Columbus #8 featuring the gasoline payment window and a door flanking either side.
The original canopy, centered with the station, can also be seen with the addition on the left.

This Sing Store also retains most of the awning structure that dates back to the late '70s. The top piece of the façade was removed and the pitch of the roof was lowered a bit to allow the "Summit" banner to have a consistent height across the edifice. The interior of the store has been reconfigured to expand the checkout counter and block the door in the picture above. The gasoline payment window is still in place and just has a piece of metal blocking the transaction port on the bottom of the pane of glass (behind the black Dodge Dart).

One final remaining piece of this station's Sing days are the parking lot vacuum lights. These were often located in the crux of the intersection for corner stations since that real estate couldn't be used for much else. I'm not sure if the vacuum unit is original but the lights have retained their original fixtures over the last 40 years. Furthermore, the right light post has retained the Amoco "air Help yourself" sign. Also of note is how the gas and diesel price per gallon are the same.

Sing vacuum and air station at Columbus #8 with original light fixtures.

Some History

According to Muscogee county property records, R. L. Singletary (Dick) and Thomas E. Perry (Tom) signed a twenty-year lease on December 21, 1978 for this property as Sing Distributing, Inc. The station would have been constructed shortly after that and probably opened in 1979. The lease was transferred to Robin Enterprises, Inc. on June 27, 1990 as a consolidation measure in preparation for the Amoco-Sing merger. Robin Enterprises, named for Tom Perry's wife, was one of Sing's holding companies and Tom was the primary stockholder. Unfortunately, the Sing brand would not survive until the expiration of the lease which was transferred to McDonald Oil Company (Money Back / Summit) on June 23, 1993 - just as Amoco did with many other Sing stores. This was eight days after Columbus #7 was sold to Spectrum Stores, Inc. so Amoco wanted a timely exit from this market. Interestingly, the lease transfer included a first right of refusal for the new lessee that states the "Assignor . . . shall be entitled to a Right of First Refusal to lease the Premises from Assignee should Assignee or Assignee's heirs, executors, grantees, successors and assigns, desire to assign their interest in the Lease at any time during the lifetime of William J. Clinton, President of the United States of America, or within twenty-one (21) years after the death of Mr. Clinton." I'm not sure how legal timelines are usually structured but I find it interesting to base it on something as arbitrary as a president's lifetime. With that verbiage, the time frame is a minimum of 49 years and will likely be longer (Bill Clinton is still doing fine as far as I know).

Interior Pictures

The interior of this store was . . . boring. I'm certain the drink coolers, flooring, and ceiling tiles were original but no noticeable traces of Sing or Amoco remain. I do wonder if the open-faced cooler was original. In the 1960s, Sing would offer fresh produce and groceries in coolers like this but this model looks too new. I'm also not sure if this store ever had a Deli - that might have been reserved for Sing's larger format stores in the mid-to-late '80s. While I don't know this store's original layout, I think it was very similar to what is seen today except for the cashier's counter.

This looks like any other slightly run-down convenience store. Complete with 'gambling' machines in front of the window. The coolers and tile are almost certainly original to the Sing days.

Again, pretty boring (minus the bug light on the milk crate). The storage room is in the middle of shot.
I do wonder what is in the chest freezer though . . .

These cabinets scream '80s convenience store. The Gulfport Sing Store had red laminate counters but beige cabinets. These look worn out regardless.
Also, what is with the black faux-marble adhesive sheets?