Many people who pass a gasoline price sign on Binghamton's West Side can't believe what they see. The sign features a price of $3.149 a gallon.

It sounds too good to be true... and, it turns out, that's the case.

The sign at Anthony's Service at the corner of Main and Jarvis streets continues to display the price of fuel on the day a fast-moving fire heavily damaged the family-owned business in November 2010.

The automotive repair shop was closed for nearly a year-and-a-half after the blaze. But the service center has re-opened, although it's not yet ready to sell gas.

Mark Anthony, who co-owns the business with his brother Mike, told WNBF News he hopes gasoline will be available for customers by late-winter or early-spring.

Anthony was concerned initially about how the repair shop would fare after the lengthy closure. But he said "our base came back."

The sign with the old gas prices continues to attract attention. Anthony said some drivers pull right up to the inoperative pumps, hoping to get a great deal. They're disappointed when they realize there's no gas available at a price that would be about 50 cents a gallon less than other nearby stations.

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