When was the last time you pulled up to a petrol station and had a friendly attendant greet you, start filling up the gas, checking your oil and washing your windows?
It's likely been a while (if ever).
So it's no surprise that customers are often confused when they first visit the Rosebery Service Station.
"You walk to the window and they have no idea what's going on - especially the younger people. A lot of them never heard of it!" laughs George, who's part of the second generation of Carayannises running the station.
George's father, Michael, purchased the business in 1974, taking out a loan to cover the $80,000 cost.
"That was a lot of money back then and working long and hard hours is the only way we got ahead here," he says.
The Rosebery Service station in Sydney has been run by the Carayannis family since 1974. Source: Supplied
The business now employs George, his brother Del, his 23 year old son Evan, and his 86 year old father Michael - although Michael is increasingly stepping back from day to day operations.
Pressure at the Pump
After four decades on the corner of Gardeners Road and Harris Street in Rosebery, a loyal group of regulars has kept the business afloat. In some cases, three generations of the same family are being served by three generations of Carayannises.
But as the retail fuel industry has consolidated, times have become increasingly tough for smaller independent operators like the Carayannises.
"Back in 1974, say the profit margin on fuel was 25 percent, now it's about 2 or 3 percent and our costs have gone through the roof," George explains.
But he says winding down the full-service offering isn't an option - it's their niche, and what regular customers from 'miles around' visit them for.
Del Carayannis fills up a customers car. Source: Supplied
And that niche is only possible because the business is family run. George says it simply wouldn't be viable to employ others to serve customers on the driveway.
So to make up for a shortfall in income, the Carayannises have expanded the onsite mechanical workshop, which now generates 85 percent of the business' revenue. It's also where the only employee that's not a family member works.
"It's been built up over the years. When we first started [we might have had] 1-2 cars a day. Now we get between 10- 30 cars a day."
The garage now brings in the majority of the station's business. Source: Supplied
Avoiding bumps in the road
With financial pressures and three generations working under the same roof, disagreements are inevitable. But there are a couple of rules that keep things running smoothly: "There is one thing that's written down its inside, a plaque. Rule number one, the boss is always right and rule number two, if you're wrong see number one - and dad's the boss," George chuckles.
His father agrees: "They listen with what I tell them and no problems!"
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