Doucette Mobil is on the corner of South Dixie Highway and 104th Street sits; it’s one of the busiest service stations South Miami-Dade County. There are many gas and service stations to choose from on the U.S. 1 corridor, but there’s a reason this one is so busy and there is one key word — service.
Since 1961, the family-owned business has been dedicated to serving the community. And that doesn’t simply mean serving customers who come in for gas, a car repair or coffee. For owner Lee Doucette, it means serving the community beyond the walls of his business.
Doucette is an avid fan and supporter of local schools, especially Palmetto Senior High where he first attended and graduated, followed all three of his daughters. He often works directly with the school’s coaches and teachers to supply them with what they need. He has bought tee-shirts for the wrestling team and keepsake tumblers to give to the fans. He has helped the golf team and bought advertising in school publications.
Many clubs and teams from schools and organizations in the area – and throughout Miami – host car washes at the busy Mobil station. And when the ExxonMobil Foundation asks him which school should be the recipient of its education fund, Doucette chooses Palmetto Senior High.
“It’s really important to support the schools, the kids and their families,” he said. “I also like to support the local business owners who support me.”
Doucette’s father, Lou, feels the same way. He started the business more than 50 years ago and stepped out of the daily grind just five years ago because of health issues. He is still a regular visitor to the station and is proud of the legacy.
“Lee has carried on something that we built,” said the elder Doucette. “He has integrity, he will take care of you.”
Like father, like son; integrity and good business sense run in the family. Lou Doucette said that his son grew up helping at the service station. After he graduated from Florida State University, he came back to the station ready to go to work.
“I told Lee that I didn’t send him to college to run a filling station,” he said. “But he said to me, ‘Dad, you’ve done well, and I will do well. You’ve always told me to do what I love.’”
Lee Doucette’s passion for the business is evident by the hours he works and the way he treats his staff and customers. The thriving business is not just a place to fill up your gas tank each week. It’s the home of free air for your tires. It’s a place with friendly smiles and a well-stocked Mini Mart that has Cuban coffee and pastries, homemade sandwiches and free American coffee.
It’s also a trustworthy place to get your car serviced. Under the watchful eye of service manager Jerry Tyson, who’s been with Doucette for 15 years, customers and their vehicles are in good hands.
“We have state-of-the-art diagnostic computers and ASE certified technicians, and all of our services are guaranteed,” said Doucette. “We also check to see if a customer’s repair is under warranty with their manufacturer. If it is, we always recommend that the customer go to the dealer.”
In fact, one client came to Doucette when she was told by the dealer that her repair wasn’t under warranty. The Doucette team discovered otherwise and sent her back to the dealer armed with print outs showing proof of warranty and that the repair was covered.
It must be that integrity thing again. That’s how small businesses in America survive and thrive. And least that’s how this one does.
For more information, call 305-666- 0744.
