GOFFSTOWN — It’s the end of a 14-year run for small-business owner John Sylvain as he prepares to close Direct Gas in Goffstown Village.

Sylvain estimates that it will take about a week-and-a-half to use the remaining 6,000 gallons of gas he has stored.

“When I run out of gas, that’ll be the end of it,” Sylvain said.

Sylvain cited the increase in gas prices and his inability to buy large quantities of gas as contributors to the closing.

According to some projections, gas prices might reach $4 per gallon by spring.

“I’m just a little guy,” he said. “I can’t afford it.”

Sylvain said he has been struggling for the past seven to eight months. When gas prices rose in 2008 and topped $4 per gallon, Sylvain said he almost closed, but was able to hold his own through the economic downturn of the past several years.

The fall in gas prices six weeks ago gave him a small reprieve, but Sylvain said with prices continuing to escalate, it’s time to close up shop.

“I love what I’m doing, but I can’t afford to stay open,” he said.

Currently, the average price of a gallon of gas is about $3.51 nationally, according to AAA’s website, and is expected to continue to rise. Sylvain’s current gas price is $3.57 a gallon, though he said he should be charging about $3.61. 

Last year at this time, the price of gas was $3.12 per gallon.

Sylvain said part of the problem is that to make a profit, he would need to charge more for gas, but he simply can’t afford to set his prices too much higher than nearby competitors.

“If I’m two cents higher, people go elsewhere,” he said.

Regular customers, who like the thought of supporting a local business, expressed sadness at the news.

“I think the people who own it are very, very nice, and it’s sad that they have to close,” said Renee Hart of Weare.

Kathy Warthen of Goffstown thinks rising gas prices may have contributed to the closing.

“They say gas prices could be $4 by spring,” she said. “They want people to travel this summer, they should lower gas prices.”

“It’s not fair,” she added. “I know a lot of people who come here.”

Sandy Brown, owner of Ace Hardware, stopped in for gas Wednesday and said Sylvain’s presence in the local business community will be missed.

“This is tough,” Brown said. “John is such a nice guy, but this is a tough business to be in.”

Brown said that in Goffstown’s tightly knit Main Street area, people support local businesses.

“It’s all about the relationships,” Brown said, “and connecting with people.”

Brown said the absence of a full-service station in town will be missed as well, especially by the elderly who have difficulty pumping their own gas.

Sylvain’s is the only full-service station left in Goffstown, and he accepted local personal checks as well, giving the station a more personal feel. 

Sylvain said he has no plans to retire once the station closes, and may help out on his daughter’s farm in Boscawen.

“I don’t want to retire, I want to keep busy,” he said.

Sylvain said he appreciates the support of the community and thanks his customers for their business. 

“I had a lot of regular customers who came here, no matter what the price,” he said.