Atlanta BP stations feeling protest pinch

Metro Atlanta BP gas station owners have a message for consumers boycotting local BP gas stations in the wake of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill — direct your protests directly at BP plc.

Russ Scaramella, president of Georgia Oil Holdings LLC, which operates 18 metro Atlanta BP AMPM stations, said the boycotts and protests are hurting local business owners.

“We know people are frustrated. We understand. But it’s the community and local owners that suffer from boycotts,” Scaramella said in a statement. “... We all want and need a voice; but a better way to get that voice heard by the right people is by writing directly to BP and by taking it to social networking channels.”

He also suggested taking a trip to the Gulf Coast to help boost that area’s tourism and economy.

BP runs gas stations on a distributor model, according to Georgia Oil Holdings. That means BP only supplies the gas to BP-branded stations. As a distributor, an individual business owner provides the capital, commitment to start the business and management.

“We are independent local owners, and our stations are owned and operated by local employees,” said Tom Bower, president of Flowery Branch, Ga.-based Clipper Petroleum Inc.

Read more in the Atlanta Business Chronicle.