Bismarck Tribune

"It was kind of a shock," said Frank Jacob, as he filled his tank at the Tesoro station at Sixth and Rosser on Friday.

"Just last week, gas was $2.19. Now, it's 20 cents more."

Gasoline customers throughout Bismarck-Mandan expressed similar feelings, as fuel prices climbed to $2.29 per gallon for regular gasoline and to $2.39 for premium at many area stations.

Jacob said he will try to plan his trips more but will probably not drive less.

"I'll just have to put up with it," he said. "It's something you have to buy."

Margo Landers, owner-manager of Landers Sunrise Plaza, which sells ConocoPhillips fuel, said the price at the pump went up because of increased prices that station owners pay wholesalers.

"We never know when wholesale costs are going to go up," she said.

Landers said some customers were initially "shocked and upset" about the increased prices, but most were now taking it in stride. Prices there range from $2.29 for regular to $2.39 for premium. Diesel fuel is $2.49 per gallon.

Area business owners like Curt Barth, who operates A&B Pizza at 1017 E. Interstate Ave., say increased prices will add to the cost of doing business.

"We're not feeling it as much as some people," Barth said. "It will affect the bottom line a little bit, since we're paying more to deliver pizza, but will not have a big impact," he said.

Barth said increased business at A&B Pizza, following remodeling, helps make up for the increasing fuel costs for deliveries.

"Of course, we would like for gas prices to be lower," he said.

(Reach reporter Nathan Denton at 250-8261 or at nathan.denton@;bismarcktribune.com.)