"The Gulf Minute Shopper, first service station of it's kind to be built anywhere, was unveiled at Houston TX, on March 16, 1962" writes the Orange Disc, a Gulf Oil Company publication.  Is this the first "C-Store" station?  Who knows, it sure looks a lot like the stations of today, and sure looks nothing like the stations of that period!  "At this island merchandiser, the customer will be able to purchase a wide variety of products, many of them not ordinarily dispensed through service stations.  Without leaving his car, the customer can see on display and buy, not only the usual automotive and specialty products, but items ranging from aspirin and shoe polish to photographic film, outdoor cooking and picnic supplies."