The exact page text, read by your browser's voice.
1925 – today
Founded: In 1925 August Lassus sold his coal business to build a gasoline station at one of Fort Wayne's busiest intersections. Within three years he turned the company over to his three sons — Elmer, August Jr. and William — who added stations around town, hired mechanics, and built a wholesale fuel-oil distribution division.
Founder: August Lassus and his sons; the second generation was joined in 1960 by Elmer's son Jon F. Lassus (later CEO and chairman) and his cousin Bill Yarnelle.
What it did: Gasoline retailing and fuel distribution; from 1980, the Lassus Handy Dandy convenience-store chain (rebranded simply "Lassus" in 2025). The company became a BP distributor in the early 1990s while keeping its own brand.
Course and fate: Still family-run in its fourth generation, headquartered at 1800 Magnavox Way; more than 30 stores in northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio by 2018; named Fort Wayne's Large Business of the Year in 2004; the company marked its centennial in 2025.
Sources:
- Lassus Bros. Oil, company history (lassus.com) — the 1925 founding; the sons; the 1960 generation; Handy Dandy from 1980; BP distributorship; the 2004 award; the 2025 centennial.
- CSP Daily News, Top 202 convenience stores (2026) — store counts and Fort Wayne headquarters.