Northside Propane has been a landmark Lutz business for 50 years, ever since Gerald Gratton moved here from Canada in 1962 and began a business that services residential and commercial customers with propane gas for cooking,heating and fuel. Located on six acres on the west side of US 41, about a mile south of Sunset Boulevard, the company remains family owned today in an era when many independent propane businesses have sold out to large national companies.

 

Gratton died several years ago and his sons, Bob and Paul, continue his legacy as co-owners of Northside Propane. They leave the day-to-day operation to Dave Ovitt, a 29-year employee and their general manager since 1995. “When Gerald started the company, people told him he was nuts opening a business way out here in Lutz,” said Ovitt, “But as the years went on, we got busier and were here to meet the growth as it moved north of Tampa.” Northside Propane services customers throughout the Tampa Bay region, but most come from Hillsborough and Pasco counties.  

 

About 70 percent are businesses — primarily restaurants, laundries, dry cleaners and agriculture — and the rest are homeowners who use propane to fuel their stove, hot water heater, fire-place, clothing dryer, hot tub/spa and furnace. 

“All of our employees treat customers as if they’re part of our family,” said Ovitt. “Our people are friendly and customers can talk to anyone, myself included, anytime. I give my cell phone number out to customers so I’m available 24/7.” Ovitt credits his co-workers for Northside Propane’s solid financial performance over the years, even during the recent economic slowdown. “It’s all about selling one gallon of propane at a time,” said Ovitt, who adds his company still fills thousands of 5-gallon propane tanks a year for Lutz residents needing to recharge their home barbecue tanks. “A lot of our business is new construction and it’s coming back,” said Ovitt. “Contractors are back to building several custom homes a year and that has always been our niche. It’s good to see this swinging back upwards.” By his upbeat manor and continual smile, it’s apparent Ovitt loves his company and his job. “I get to meet new people every day and help them solve their energy needs,” said Ovitt. “ I treat this business as if it was my own and focus on the many positive things happening here at Northside Propane.”