Paget, a popular hot spot of Bermuda, is one of the Island's busiest parishes, due to its proximity to Hamilton and the Paget Shell Station has been vital to the community for half a century.

Last year it closed on October 8, to undergo extensive renovations and as we all know with the process of renovations, things usually get a lot uglier before they get prettier.

Now, the Paget Shell Station is a gem of a place with lots of modern pump power.

The property has been in the Mitchell family for at least half of a century and the current manager is Chris Mitchell.

Mr. Mitchell explained that the site has had a license for selling fuel since 1952.

The property originally included where the A-1 grocery market now stands and was a garage.

The new Paget Shell Station was built where the original pump stood in front of the Paget Garage.

The Paget Shell Station has always been popular for the excellent service it renders.

It has always lived up to the image of `service station' and its customers are happy to have it back; they are flocking in for gas and oil and all the little extras the staff provide, such as superb service.

Mr. Mitchell said: "As the renovations have nicely progressed over the past few months, almost daily, old customers have stopped to see when we are going to open.

"Sometimes you don't miss something until it is gone. One of the reasons our station has always been popular is the customer service which we provide.

"Other stations are too busy to put a bulb in for a headlight or turn signal and refer customers to us where we take the time to accommodate client needs.'' When you stop there for gas the staff are friendly and very helpful. They check under the hood and clean your windshield routinely while you pop inside for a newspaper, smokes, candy, chips or a cold drink.

Along the back wall is an interesting array of guy stuff: car wash, bicycle tyres, Fix a Flat, leather cleaner, sponges and various fluids.

The station has that fresh new look and smell about it. The painted white walls, with modern track lighting on the tray ceiling, provide a bright atmosphere.

The new gray, ceramic tiles and matching counter tops make for a modern convenience store with that old `Bermuda feel'.

Mr. Mitchell said: "Before we had a dingy little station with old fashioned pumps and the cash register used to sit on a wooden door.

"Architect, Derek Mitchell, remodelled the station. This whole place was gutted and we maximised the use of the interior space.

"All new coolers line one wall and a new air conditioning system hangs from the ceiling rather than a window.

"Additionally we have new electrical, new pumps, and all modern techniques which include being dipstick free.

"Shell has been upgrading its stations for the past few years and has done a great job improving our fuel dispensing technology.

"In place are electronic censoring devices to set off alarms when a leak is detected. The new underground tanks are double-walled steel tanks and we have four new pumps ready to serve.'' Prior to managing the family business, Mr. Mitchell was abroad working in a factory as a production planner.

He wrote a computer programme to do his job, gave a year's notice and left a very pressured, technical job in the US.

He worked with about 160 people and describes himself as a hard worker, very driven and responsible.

"I am very pleased to be home and working for myself and the Mitchell family.'' Mr. Mitchell is very family oriented, married to Kimberly, and has a 12 year old son, Zachary, who is learning a lot about the computer side of the family business.

He wishes to thank all of their customers for their patience over the past few months.

The vastly improved Paget Shell Station is looking forward to providing quality fuel and excellent service.

Mr. Mitchell believes in success and makes everyday count personally and professionally.

It has been said that great work tomorrow means good work today.

The Paget Shell station is open every day and their hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

They are located at the intersection of Middle Road and Valley Road, Paget, just in front of the A-1 Market.