Greenleaf

Jamie Bramlett • July 4, 2025

Greenleaf: Concord’s Last Full-Service Gas Station Gets a Patriotic Makeover

A group of men are standing in front of an american flag painted on the side of a building.

In the heart of Concord, Georgia, there’s a place where time slows down, stories are shared across the pump, and neighbors are treated like family. That place is Greenleaf Gas Station, proudly owned and operated by Mr. Chris Lee, and it’s been serving the community since 1945.



Just in time for the 4th of July, Greenleaf has a new burst of color: a bold, hand-painted American flag mural that now spans the side of the building—a tribute to patriotism and to the enduring spirit of a business that has weathered nearly 80 years of change.

A Concord Legacy Since 1945



Mr. Chris Lee in standing in front of the mural

Greenleaf’s story began long before Chris took over. Originally started by his father after World War II in 1945, the business has been fueled by dedication, relationships, and a fierce commitment to doing things the right way.


“Greenleaf has always been here,” said Mayor John Strickland, who fondly remembers growing up alongside the business. “Chris’s dad, Mr. Ray Lee, was quite a jokester. He was the first one to run it, and he was a great guy.”


The name Greenleaf came naturally—when the Lee family bought the building, the exterior already featured decorative green leaf prints. They kept the look, and the name stuck.


Chris Lee stepped in during a semester break in 1971 to help his father.


“Three weeks later,” Chris shared, “my dad passed away. I told my mama I’d take care of it. And I’ve been here ever since.”


At the time, the area was mostly farmland and open space. “A lot fewer trees back then,” Chris said. But even as the landscape changed, the spirit of Greenleaf remained.


“I’ve always done things the same way,” he says with a shrug. “It’s how I was raised. Treat folks right, and they come back.”
A sign that says welcome to greenleaf service station

More Than a Gas Station



Mayor Strickland recalls the early days as a time when bartering was the norm.


“There wasn’t much money around,” he said. “We had to charge things until the crops came in. That’s what Chris and I grew up with. And even when the convenience stores came in… Chris was still here.”


He adds with a smile:


“He’s the man here in town. He won’t admit it, but he is. I have to go to him to find out who everybody is. Being the Mayor is one thing—but running this filling station is something else.”


Today, Greenleaf truly stands out as one of the very few—perhaps the only—consistently full-service, full-time gas stations in Georgia. Chris still pumps the gas, washes the windshield, and greets each customer by name. His dedication to service and tradition has earned him loyal fans across generations.

A man is pumping gas into a car at a gas station
A man stands in front of an american flag painted on the side of a building

A Mural With  Heart



The new mural was a gift—both in spirit and in gesture.


Frank Ciccio, a world-traveling mural artist based in Florida, met Chris through Jeff Beavers, a Concord resident and friend. From the moment Jeff visited, he felt something familiar about the place.


Frank, whose artwork spans the U.S. and beyond (see frankciccioart.com), knew exactly what belonged on the side of Greenleaf: a patriotic mural that honors the character of both the business and the town.


Funded through donations—and a bit of poker winnings, according to Jeff—the mural now serves as a proud landmark and photo-op for anyone passing through.


“It just felt right to do something meaningful here,” Jeff said. “Chris didn’t ask for it. But sometimes you just do things for people who deserve it.”

Stop By and See for Yourself


Greenleaf is more than gas and tires. It’s where memories are made, stories are swapped, and strangers become neighbors. It’s the kind of place where you’re greeted with a handshake, a nod, and the kind of familiarity you don’t find just anywhere.


“It’s my favorite spot,” one local said. “Sure, I don’t have to pump my own gas—but more than that, you get to catch up with Mr. Chris. It’s the kind of place that reminds you what Concord’s all about.”


Next time you’re in Concord, stop by Greenleaf Gas Station. Say hello to Mr. Chris, snap a photo with the mural, and experience a piece of living history—still running strong after all these years.



Special thanks to Mr. Chris Lee, Mayor John Strickland, Frank Ciccio, and Jeff Beavers for sharing their stories. Photos and interviews collected July 2025 by Jamie Bramlett for BramJam.