Gas station pumps stop at $3.99

IDAHO SPRINGS - As gas prices across the nation climb to all-time highs, some filling stations are finding it hard to keep up.

"People call this the old Andy Griffith station," said Tall Country Sinclair Manager Mark Vieweg.

Vieweg has worked at two gas stations in Idaho Springs since 1979.

"Right now I'm running a little cheaper than most in town," he said of his big name competitors down the road.

Unlike most gas stations these days, the Tall Country Sinclair, which as been around since the 1950s, is still in its original form. The pumps are old, and you have to walk up to the widow to pay.

"It's fun to come to work. You sit here and you talk with the local people," said Vieweg.

It's a place people like to go to hang out and talk about the way things used to be. The "mom and pop shop" feel keeps many coming back.

"It's very nostalgic, very old school," said customer Ursula Mohr.

What's not so reminiscent of the good 'ol days is the price for gas, even when you're the cheapest in town.

"Hopefully it'll stay down for now," Vieweg said to a customer.

But with $4 gas being displayed on signs in the area, it's inevitable Vieweg will have to follow suit, the only problem is, he can't. "

"We gotta get new computers in there before we can go to $4," he said.

The pumps are so old, they can't register $4 a gallon, so Vieweg has had to order new computers that run $600 a piece and are currently on a seven week back order.

"We'll have to set it at half price per gallon and then we'll have to double the price on the pump. It's going to get confusing," he admitted.

For now, Vieweg and his customers are hoping the price stays down, but even when the new computers come in, people will still get to enjoy a bit of the past when they visit. Vieweg says he'll still be at the window to take your money and to talk about the good 'ol days, when gas was $3.99 or less.