Harrison High School Student Is New Owner Of A Gas Station

HARRISON, NY — The new owner of a familiar Danbury gas station is a 17-year-old Harrison High School senior with dreams of launching an empire.

Danny Eljamal began managing the Mobil station at 112 Newton Road in Danbury on March 9, while finishing his senior year at Harrison High School, where he is the school president.

He got his start very early in his family’s business.

“Every year since I was 14, I have spent the summers helping manage my brother’s gas station in Miami Beach all by myself. That’s how I got most of my experience,” Eljamal said.

The young entrepreneur has begun refreshing the Mobil station’s exterior, including landscaping, new signs and general cleaning. Inside the station’s convenience store, he introduced special offers such as 99 cents for any size coffee, two hot dogs for $3 and two 1-liter bottles of spring water for $3.

Eljamal’s station will sell U.S.-produced gasoline and gas pumps will be secured with the latest payment protection technology. He chose the Mobil brand for his first station because it has the most name and quality recognition in this region.

Eljamal is the son of Sammy Eljamal, who for almost three decades has operated Shell, BP, Mobil and Gulf service stations throughout the tri-state area. Over the years, the family has supported many local causes, including their $10,000 donation to the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Valhalla. The family plans to do the same thing in Danbury.

“We are not just getting back to the community. We are a part of the community, and this is part of our branding strategy and business model,” Eljamal said.

Eljamal will be attending Fairfield University in the fall. Balancing college work, a gas station and a social life will be part of his preparation for running the much grander corporation he hopes to someday build.

“I’ve juggled work and school for years now and I’m excited to take control of a gas station. My goal is to be one of Danbury’s best corporate citizens,” Eljamal said. “I also want to employ college kids to help them pay for their tuitions.”