Arlington Heights BP station opens

The new BP gas station, automated car wash and convenience store at the corner of Algonquin and Arlington Heights roads is now open.

The car wash is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and has computer-operated gates that lets one car go through at a time. The wash has a heat chamber at the end so the cars are dry when they exit the building.

Customers do not get out of their cars for the wash, and they can vacuum their own vehicles if they desire.

The convenience store is nearly 3,000 square feet.

The gas station is expected to bring additional business to an area that’s struggled since nearby eateries Yanni’s Greek Restaurant and The Wellington both closed in 2012. Both remain shuttered.

“It definitely will enhance that corner and create some visual interest,” Arlington Heights Development Planner Matt Dabrowski said earlier this month.

The gas station and neighboring Higgley’s Restaurant closed in 2006. The village approved plans from BP for the site in 2009, but the oil giant later sold it. Graham Enterprises of Mundelein came in with new plans, which were approved in January 2012.