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Pruitt's Automotive, last full-service station in Louisville, to close after 63 years

The St. Matthews gas station was one of the last gas stations in the country where an attendant would pump your gas for you and fill your tires with air.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Pruitt's Automotive, Louisville's last full-service gas station, is set to close Oct. 13.

Rocky Pruitt, owner and operator of Pruitt's said the auto shop will shut down first, on Oct. 6, followed by the pumps.

"You can't help but drag up a lot of memories. It's been good, good memories," Pruitt said. "This whole [business] is built on relationships. That's the hardest part about making the decision to sell."

Occupying the same St. Matthews street corner for more than 60 years, Pruitt's is as much a relic as it is nostalgic.  

When you pull up to a pump, you're greeted by staff who fill your car with gas. They also check and fill your tires with air, wash your windows—they'll even bring you a cup of coffee, if you ask, free of charge.

"As industries change, you have to decide at some point what business you want to be," Pruitt said. "The prospect of selling lottery tickets, beer and cigarettes—I didn't have any interest in that."

As full-service gas stations were replaced with self-service pumps and "stop-and-grab" detached stores, Pruitt held out. The business came into his family, in 1960, under his father Elvin Pruitt. 

"I want this to be the last great service station. That's what I want to do [to] the Pruitt name," Pruitt said, as a tear gleaned in his eye. "And [for it] to be synonymous with service and integrity."

Pruitt held off selling the business over the years. He said the company purchasing Pruitt's is Axis Investments LLC, which could not be reached for comment.

Pruitt said he is not sure what the company has planned for the station.

"Somebody's always [been] wanting to buy the corner," he said. "Contrary to what's actually happening here, I'm not a big change guy. I don't really like change. So we kept it as long as we could."

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