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Brian Baker, president of the Louisiana Oil Marketers and Convenience Store Association and owner of 10 gas station convenience stores in eastern St. Tammany Parish, said gas station owners prefer lower retail gasoline prices.
"If a customer just spent $75 filling up his Suburban, it's unlikely he's going to be in the mood to come in the store for a Coke," Baker said. "Gas station owners make more of their profits from in-store goods."
Over the last month, costumers are more willing to have a Coke and a smile with gas prices dropping 7 percent in the New Orleans area.
As of Wednesday, the average gallon of regular unleaded gasoline cost $2.07 in New Orleans, down from $2.22 a month ago and $2.33 a year ago, according to the American Automobile Association.
Some gas stations such as Brothers Food Mart on the corner of Manhattan and Gretna boulevards in Marrero...