Signs of Better Times Ahead

It’s Christmas Day and Arnold Behrmann was four hours away from his home in San Luis Obispo County, pumping gas at the new ARCO station at the corner of Wardlow Road and Norwalk Boulevard.

A resident of Templeton, a small college town, Behrmann was traveling for the holiday, stating, “We came to visit our friends in Long Beach. The last time I was here it was a Mobil (gas station), probably a year ago.”

Up north, in places like Templeton, gasoline prices are much higher. Behrmann pointed out, “$4.50 is kind of the lowest, right now.”

Seeing the rejuvenated station, Behrmann was drawn in, like a moth to light, “I saw $3.99 and thought, ‘I haven’t seen under $4.00 in how long?’. It’s got to be two years!”

A Worthy Son, Indeed

Less than a year ago, the gas station was sold and converted from a Mobil to an ARCO. ARCO gas began flowing five months ago and two months later the place saw a genuine transformation, from re-asphalting the lot to adding bright, new lights and signage, the place is vibrant again.

And that gas price? Well, it’s 30 cents cheaper than the nearest gas station and 20 cents cheaper than the nearest ARCO.

It’s all just part of the philosophy of Goma Elbiali, a devout Muslim, and his son, Mohamed, age 21. Together, they’re making a difference within the communities where they operate, including a permanent ban on alcohol or lottery ticket sales.

It’s a business decision based on religious beliefs, despite it meaning a certain loss of, approximately, $20,000-$30,000 per month, according to the younger Elbiali.

Mohamed Elbiali, a UC Irvine student majoring in aerospace engineering, said, “In terms of this site, I feel the credit should go to my dad. He’s actually one of the top 20 franchisees for ARCO in California,” adding, “We own around 15-20 sites and we’re always the cheapest site in town. This site is full of potential.”

Mohamed has spent his entire life in this business, learning from his father.

“All my life, between gas stations, C-stores (convenience stores), and mechanic shops, (and) I’m still learning a lot from my father.”

He laughs when he observes, “People don’t like the smell of gas,” then adds, “That’s the best smell. I love it!”

However, he added, “Now, I’m pushing my dad into new industries, the car wash industry especially, something we can add to our business.”

By now, it’s clear this is a special young man, as is the relationship between father and son..

“Ever since I was five, my dad would take underperforming stations and in a few months, change them. My father, he’s my hero,” then added, “I love my father, I treat him with the utmost respect. He’s done everything for us. I just want to show him that I can be a worthy son.”

Blame It On Boston

The Dominguez family will look back on 2023 as an amazing year, one filled with change and opportunity. Much of it is owed to an offer from Goma Elbiali to rent shop space at his ARCO gas station.

Mario and Araceli Dominguez accepted Elbiali’s offer and are now the owners of Emmanuel Auto Repair, a business they opened just four months ago. The couple are also the proud parents of four children: Alexandra (16), Erick (14), Nicolas (9) and 10-month-old, Emmanuel, the shop’s namesake.

It’s a strange story, the way things can turn so quickly, so inexplicably, so beautifully, even in Boston.

The Dominguez’ are from El Salvador.

Araceli’s family, including her mother, Marianela Rodriguez, reside there.

After nearly a year of weighing the idea, they made the decision to move and slowly began selling off their possessions, saving every penny possible.

In Spanish, Araceli Dominguez shared, “We sold every single thing, including cars,” for their trip across the country.

Finally, in August of 2022, they drove across the country and arrived in Boston three days later.

After only three days of living in Boston, however, they both realized it wasn’t the place for them to live and raise their kids, so they decided to return to California, again by car and another three-day trip.

“My whole family was upset but we couldn’t stay. We returned and arrived not knowing where we would live and me four months pregnant. We had nothing,” said Araceli Dominguez.

“From that point on, I can see the hand of God because we arrived on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday we looked for housing and by Monday we had an apartment,” adding, “From there, God started to open doors.”

Mario was accepted at his old job in Compton and stayed there until August of this year, when he decided he needed to earn more, especially with a new baby to feed and clothe.

Very simply, Dominguez realized he needed to go into business for himself if he really wanted to save his family.

Abimael Sandoval Saves the Day

After 10 years of running the repair shop in Compton, Mario Dominguez was confident he could do it, so he reached out to Goma Elbiali.

There was just one small problem.

The Dominguez family didn’t have the money to afford a larger shop that was available.

Undeterred, Goma Elbiali knew he wanted the Dominguez family so he made some calls and found a smaller shop, which is how Abimael Sandoval got involved, loaning the Dominguez’ the money to get the shop at Wardlow and Norwalk.

“For me, this is God’s work,” Araceli Dominguez stated, then pointed out all the things in the shop that were donated to them or sold below market price.

She added, “Everything hasn’t been easy but it’s as if God has said, ‘Here is what you need.’”

Now, they hope to move to Long Beach and put their kids in local schools, noting that they’ve been coming to the local Sizzler’s restaurant, the Goodwill store and El Dorado Park for years only to have this perfect opportunity land in their laps, a gift from above.

“Thanks to God,” said Mario Dominguez. “Now, let’s see if one becomes a mechanic.”

Hopefully!