'Pumped Up' Route 281 back online

Route 281 in Sheyenne is sporting a new look.

The local convenience store and gas station had been using the same outdated pumps for decades, but last Wednesday, patrons of Route 281 were able to fuel up using modern pumps.

The process of installing the new pumps began on Monday, April 17, when the old pumps and the island they sat on were ripped out. That was followed by re-piping, pouring a new island, installing the new pumps and updating electronics.

The whole process was expected to take about a week and a half, but mother nature had other ideas.

Nevertheless, the installation was successful and the upgrade is significant for Route 281 and the community of Sheyenne, which now has modern, reliable pumps with many of the latest technological features.

The old pumps were previously located at the Cenex convenience store in New Rockford, before being moved to the Sheyenne station where they remained for decades.

"Basically we had to," Route 281 owner Jake Perleberg said of the reason for the upgrade. "Our old system was going out of service Aug. 23 of this year, so I really didn't have a choice."

Perleberg said the new pumps have a built-in chip reader and digital display, and can even accept Apple Pay.

One pump offers unleaded and premium unleaded gasoline, while the other offers two forms of diesel: roadmaster diesel and red diesel, a.k.a. "farm fuel." The pumps will also be open 24/7.

Additionally, the front of Route 281 now has a fresh slab of concrete surrounding the new pumps.

With construction and installation complete, Route 281 returned to their normal hours and their regular schedule for lunch specials.

Helping to make it all possible were Brodell Concrete, NCZ Express, Yri Electric and Westmore Industries.