Lake Hawea Motors owners Trevor and Suzie Hewson are putting their shop floor business up for lease, as rising fuel prices have hit their business hard.
Mr Hewson said he was switching their nine-pump operation to a 24-hour automated service and looking to lease out their 120sq m floor site.
The decision was due to a combination of the rising costs of petrol, everyday grocery items and associated costs such as electricity and wages.
The Hewsons have encouraged their loyal Lake Hawea customers to switch to Mobil fuelcards and take advantage of discounted petrol costs.
However, with fuelcard purchasers sent a monthly bill, demand for over-the-counter transactions for everyday shop products had dropped, Mr Hewson said.
"We've put as many locals as possible on to the Mobil card but, in hindsight, it has resulted in not as many people coming through the shop door."
Mr Hewson said a "round the clock" automated service would mean fuel remained close to town for Lake Hawea locals - the next closest is 15km away in Wanaka.
Prices are usually around 4c a litre cheaper in Wanaka and a combination of competition from large market operators and supermarket docket discounts meant the extra travel distance was sometimes more attractive.
