Iconic gas station outside Hilton Head that greeted island travelers now lies in disrepair
Six months after its roof caved in under the weight of a tropical storm deluge, a landmark gas station has become a eyesore for residents and visitors entering Hilton Head Island.
The former Kangaroo Express convenience store, located next to the BP gas pumps, is now a hub for local vandals, who regularly adorn the building with new graffiti tags and initials of love. Its front-facing awning has slowly bulged out as the roof continues to sink.
Beaufort County served an “initial notice” to the property owner Jan. 9, claiming the structure was unfit for human habitation. That gives the owner 30 days to appear for a hearing on the building, and 60 days after that to secure permits and begin repair work.
If the owner wishes to demolish the convenience store, the demolition is not subject to a specific deadline, according to county ordinances.
As of Thursday, county officials were awaiting confirmation that the property owner had received the initial notice, according to Beaufort County government spokesperson Hannah Nichols.
If the property owner fails to comply with any required repairs, the county has the power to demolish the building.
Built in 1984, the gas station was well-known for its location at the base of the Hilton Head bridges. It’s the last possible stop before U.S. 278 turns into the J. Wilson Graves Bridge that crosses Skull Creek onto the island.
The store and its gas pumps have been permanently closed since Aug. 6, 2024, when a preexisting pool of rainwater grew large enough to collapse the roof during the heavy rainfall of Tropical Storm Debby. No one was inside at the time.
Since then, Beaufort County deputies have responded several times to the derelict convenience store for reports of vandalism, with new graffiti appearing as recently as Tuesday. Officers noted multiple tags reading “Spark” that seemed to resemble other graffiti found in at least two other locations in Bluffton.
A BP representative said the location was not owned or operated by the oil and gas company.
The property owner did not respond to multiple messages left with questions, including whether he intended to demolish or repair the location.
This story was originally published February 20, 2025 at 3:27 PM.
