Gas prices average $4.19 around Milwaukee, affect small businesses



BROWN DEER -- According to GasBuddy.com, the average price of a gallon of gas in Milwaukee has risen to $4.19 a gallon. That's above the national average of $3.89, and the high gas prices are hitting people's wallets hard!

CLICK HERE to see gas prices in the Milwaukee area via MilwaukeeGasPrices.com (GasBuddy.com).

Back in 1979 was the first time gas prices averaged over $1. 2004 was the first time prices topped $2. In 2005, gas prices topped $3 on average per gallon for the first time. The current national average is $3.89 per gallon. 10 years ago, the average price-per-gallon was just $1.32!

Gas Buddy officials say they aren't sure whether we'll see gas prices at or above the $5 mark in Milwaukee, but say they would be surprised to see prices hit $4.50 per gallon.

High gas prices are being felt my small businesses like Larry's Market in Brown Deer. The rising cost of gas has Larry's caught between rising food costs, and the cost of delivering food to customers as far away as Waukesha.

Larry's employee Patty Peterson tells us the store absorbs as much of the cost as they can, but customers can expect higher prices. "You just can't keep absorbing it. It's just a fact of life that when you're in business you need to make money," Peterson said.

Joe Gianino says escalating gas prices encouraged him to unload his large SUV for something more fuel efficient.  West Allis Class Motor Sales Manager Dan Dettman says it's a trend that's influencing inventory decisions. "Eco-friendly, hybrids, just about 90% of the inventory that we have is gonna be 20 plus MPG minimum," Dettman said.