Propane Lane
Pete Metz, owner
Customers needing to fill propane tanks quickly and inexpensively can drive through Propane Lane, a new business at 4564 West River Drive in Comstock Park.
Pete Metz, owner of Propane Lane and a Comstock Park resident sought out Comstock Park for his new business venture. He drove by the former Comerica building many times, a building that had sat vacant since 2004. Although the unique 1,500-square-foot building and land was not big enough for many types of businesses he knew it “might just work” as a drive-through business to fill all types of propane tanks. Metz has retail experience and saw first-hand how cumbersome it can be to swap out or fill propane tanks.
“We fill propane tanks quickly and we won’t make you wait, which is a good thing for customers,” Metz said. “Not only are we quick but we have the most competitive prices.”
Typically, other businesses that fill propane tanks fill 3.5 gallons for about $24.
“I’m about $10 cheaper and you get one gallon more,” Metz said
His niche business is the only one of its kind in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area. Propane Lane will fill large tanks for recreational vehicles, food trucks, trailers, campers, snowmobiles, garage heaters and more.
Currently, he sells propane at $3.24 a gallon. One customer filled his 30-gallon motorhome tank for $100, compared to spending $180 last year at another place.
“This place is so easy to pull into – fast, easy and the cheapest anywhere,” the customer wrote in an online review. Another customer raved about the great prices on propane refills and customer service. The word is getting out as business has grown each month since Metz opened Propane Lane in mid-July 2021.
Metz noted that propane is considered a green fuel – does not emit any waste and emits 60 percent less carbon monoxide compared to gasoline. Propane produces next to zero gas emissions or air pollutants.
Metz knows that filling propane tanks is a planned event for customers, so he works hard at customer service. He said his past experience working in restaurants have given him needed customer service skills.
Propane Lane is open seven days a week – Monday – Saturday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Propane Lane also provides tank repair and will repair that defective valve. Metz is assisted by one other employee.
Located adjacent to the White Pine Trail, Metz allows trail users to use his parking spots that are not needed for his drive-through business.
Metz has been impressed with the support from the Comstock Park business community who have made him feel welcome, some stopping by to introduce themselves. He has seen first-hand how the business community works together to be successful.