Plans unveiled for South Lake Tahoe corner that once housed Runnels Automotive

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Many may remember the Volkswagon coming out its roof, or the numerous classic cars parked there for years. But a new life is planned for the corner that was once a Gulf Oil gas station and Runnels Automotive in South Lake Tahoe at the northwest corner of Lake Tahoe Boulevard and Emerald Bay Road.

Coming is Aster Station, an eclectic cafe and community gathering spot that will be offering a lot more than coffee and a quick bite.

"In addition to the cafe, the outdoor space is designed to be a public plaza for the neighborhood," said owner Kyle Aster who is opening Aster Station with his wife Jessica. "We'll have outdoor seating and a variety of amenities for human-powered adventures (bike repair tools, water refilling stations, etc)."

Kyle said they'll be looking to partner with some local food trucks or food truck-like businesses to park near the new awning. They also want to partner with local e-bike rental companies that would have a kiosk on site.

"We'll be focused on specialty coffee, beer, wine, and have a small kitchen that will serve small breakfast and lunch items," said Kyle. "Speciality coffee is a phrase used to describe coffee that focuses on using high-quality coffee and making drinks that focus on the flavor of the coffee beans themselves, rather than flavored syrups. We'll have espresso, milk drinks, and pour-over coffee in addition to a variety of sparkling waters, juices, electrolyte drinks, and beer & wine."

Heavy snow had taken down the original awning just after the Asters bought the property from John Runnels. A new awning will be going up to provide shaded outdoor seating.

Service stations once lined corners in communities across the country. They not only provided gasoline but also supplies for a journey. Aster Station is going to be a reimagined service station that centers around humans, and not cars.

Kyle is no stranger to Tahoe and learned to ski at Sierra Ski Ranch when he was 5. He said he helped his dad with construction in the summers to beat the Sacramento heat as a teenager and found his way back to the lake to live as an adult. He's been here part-time since 2010 and we moved to the South Shore full time in 2016.

The South Lake Tahoe Planning Commission approved the project so now the Asters can move forward. They already purchased the needed floor space coverage from the City of South Lake Tahoe, and will now start preparing to break ground in Spring 2025. Kyle said they hope to have a two-year construction period.

Aster Station fits the City Council's strategic priorities for underutilized properties to be brought back to life and improved commercial uses in South Lake Tahoe. Not only will the cafe enhance local tax revenue, but will also enhance the scenic quality of the area.

For the Aster Station website, visit https://asterstation.com/.