One Slick Partnership
- Jodi Brunner
- Apr 10
- 4 min read
Article and Photos by Jessica McCafferty
In December of 2018, Strictly Business introduced you to Robin Weeden and
Ray Beebe, whose real estate investment had morphed into business ownership. Having updated a local quick lube into a Mobile 1 Lube Express franchise location,
the two were celebrating a successful first year.
In the seven years since, the business has grown and is now known as WeeBee Oil and Lube. Their success, however, came with some struggle. The Route 3 location’s footprint was a two-bay garage and small waiting room with no room for expansion. “Being a quick lube and having customers wait in line an hour seemed like an oxymoron,” quipped Weeden.
“We wanted to offer another location to help alleviate long wait times,” noted Beebe.
Weeden and Beebe had been talking about expansion and originally set their sights outside of town. Just as they were about to pull the trigger, COVID hit and their plans went on hold. As time went on, they started eyeing property closer to home, and a former gas station on US Avenue drew their attention. Taking into account the recent commercial and residential growth on the south end of the city, as well as the well traveled Route 9, the partners saw the potential of the property and its existing canopy. They were, however, cautious of its former gas station status and did their due diligence with the DEC to ensure the property was clean. It wasn’t until six months after their initial inquiry they made an offer on the property, which was quickly accepted.
Next, the two reached out to local architects about their idea of using the former gas station’s existing canopy. They chose to go with Tom LaBombard and Paul Loner to provide the plans for their vision. Once the collaboration was complete and the plans approved, they were sent out to local contractors for bids. The pair decided on Branon Construction. “They have a good reputation and I beat Kevin Branon all the time when we play hockey, so I feel sorry for him,” joked Weeden.
It seems they couldn’t have made a better decision. “Every time we showed up on the job site, they were very accommodating and willing to discuss any necessary changes,” noted Weeden.
The Branon Boys
Branon Construction was incorporated in February of 1985 by husband and wife team Terry and Michelle Branon. Forty years later, it’s their sons, Kevin and Shea, who are running most of the day-to-day operations. Branon Construction is a commercial general contractor, so it has a diverse portfolio. It’s clientele ranges from municipalities to private businesses. The Branons currently keep their business focus within a 90-minute travel distance of Plattsburgh and will continue to stay local as long as the work remains.
Recent projects for Branon include several water and wastewater plants, town garages and state parks. They are currently working on renovations at the Clubhouse at Melissa Penfield Park and at the Plattsburgh City Beach. To ensure their ability to keep working through the winter months, they have added equipment like hydronic surface heaters and indirect hot air furnaces to bring to job sites.
Branon Construction employs roughly ten full-time employees. “Staying small is part of our business model,” said Shea. “We enjoy having key personnel we know we can rely on and that can produce a nice product for our customers.”
When asked about the biggest challenge for the WeeBee project, the Branons were quick to joke, “Robin Weeden.” They went on to describe both Weeden and Beebe as “Great to work with. They trusted us throughout the process and were always available when questions arose.” It’s clear the four men have a great connection and lighthearted friendship. Shea recalled being skeptical of the idea to incorporate the existing canopy as the building’s new roof until he saw the design plans. “It was clear it was a great idea and a huge savings in the budget,” he remarked. “The existing roof fits seamlessly over the new building.”
The Southside
WeeBee Oil and Lube opened its US Ave location in early December 2024. The new building boasts three bays, one of which is twelve feet high to accommodate taller vehicles, and a beautiful, bright waiting room along the building’s glass front. The December opening, generally a slower month, allowed the WeeBee staff to train new team members. Former owner and Route 3 General Manager Fred Tuller is an integral part of their training program and the source of many of his tried and trusted procedures. The new location has seen consistent growth, with about seventy percent new customers and thirty percent existing customers trying the new location.
Weeden and Beebe had two goals in mind with the expansion: to alleviate some of the stress on the Route 3 location and to build their client base so they can continue to offer their staff competitive wages. The men have accomplished both. Weeden can often be found at the Skyway location with his son, Wade, who was a business and hockey major at Keene State and then returned to Plattsburgh to eventually partner in the business.
Many of the locals are noting that the new structure is a vast improvement over the former vacant gas station and are grateful the parking lot has been repaired in the process.
When asked what the biggest obstacle was with the build, Weeden cited dealing with New York State building codes and figuring out which direction traffic would flow. “Everyone knows this lot is the ‘Wild West’ of parking lots.” With the Skyway location utilizing as much of the lot as possible, there can be only a single car waiting in line for each bay, and little more than that at the exit side,” he explained. “That makes it critical to keep the one-way traffic flow compatible with the Plaza’s exit. The changes we made have tamed a little of the parking lot chaos.”
With the Branons on to their next projects and WeeBee four months into the new location, the only collaborating these men are doing these days is on the hockey ice, but all agree it was a great experience working together.
WeeBee Oil and Lube
5051 US Ave
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
518 310-0485
Branon Construction Co. Inc.
802 Durand Road
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
518 561-7708
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