Fan's Gas Station in Cottonwood Square Under New Ownership

This past Sunday, there was another change in a well known Niwot-based business. Mala Bo Fan, owner of Fan's Conoco gas station, sold the popular Cottonwood Square-based fueling stop. It will be the second local filling station for the new owner, Rajbar Dhillon, who also owns Hershey's gas station in Boulder.

On her first day of non-ownership, Fan was still at the shop, helping brothers of the new owner to become acclimated to what was there. She showed a familiar exuberance, kindness and high energy, walking quickly from aisle to aisle and organizing items. They followed her, nodding, tracking what

she was saying, all the while making notes to each other. As customers came in, everyone stopped to help them. While the station will still be an easy-to-pull-into, landmark fuel stop, the new owner is making plans to change some aspects of what's there. Over time, customers can expect to see differences in how things are merchandised, and might expect coffee stations and other convenience items that are more in line with what traditional gas station-convenience stores offer. Much will also stay the same, and the brothers said the owner appreciated being able to be part of Boulder

County and the Niwot community. They said that Dhillon expects that his experience in Niwot will be an extension of the strong business and kind community that patronizes his other station a town away. Mala Bo Fan is equally grateful for being able to serve those in the area. In a phone call, she expressed that she worked at the station tirelessly, often foregoing nights or weekends off, and that it was time for a change. In this spirit, she has written a letter to her customers expressing her thoughts and her appreciation for the town. The letter is below and has not been edited so Fan's

thoughts can be shared in their truest form.

Appreciation to Niwot Residents

A letter written by: PamelaTseng

Bo's family has opened businesses in Niwot from 2000 to 2022. For almost 20 years, the gas station has never once closed for holidays and the COVID-19 pandemic. Christmas, New Year's, and other holidays were handled by Bo as she worked from 8 AM to 8 PM, giving employees days off to spend time with their families. Other days of the year were regularly routine, with the weekdays busy during lunchtime. Landscaping workers and students from the local high school swarmed inside for easy grab-and-go meals. Weekends would be quieter, with locals getting gas for their vintage automobiles and making small talk inside while purchasing a few lottery and scratch tickets. Throughout the pandemic, the gas station persisted,

initially unsteady, but gradually regained monetary momentum by the time cases were on a consistent decline. While business resumed normal

operations, Bo and her family decided to reconsider their lifestyles. So when the decision came to sell the station, family members agreed

immediately and encouraged her to return to the nursing profession she had practiced for 20 years. "For the sake of changing lifestyle, I close the business. Right now, I want to work as a nurse. In the future, I will focus on Niwot senior club, support Niwot seniors and teach classes on basic medical knowledge and how to take care of body. I am grateful for Niwot's local support and want to return the favor to the community, thank you for supporting and me and my family all these years."

-Bo Fan