PHOENIX — A Phoenix gas station owner who has been thrust into the spotlight for his decision to keep gas prices at $4.99 a gallon isn’t sure how much longer that will last.

Jaswinder Singh, who owns CK Food Mart at 20th Street and Osborn Road with his wife, said he’s losing money by keeping the cash, unleaded price about 70 cents below the Phoenix average but wants to continue offering the deal to customers.

“I don’t know how long we can keep it like this,” Singh said. “We will try our best to do what we can for our community.”

Singh said his other business ventures, including a trucking operation, are helping offset the gasoline losses.

Customers coming into the food mart and buying items is also helpful, according to Singh.

He initially offered the below-market prices as a nod to his religion.

“We are thinking help our community, help our neighborhood and help our city,” Singh said.

Singh, who came to Phoenix in 1998 after growing up in India, said customers near and far have shown their appreciation.

He’s heard from customers across the state and also in California and Colorado.

“My phone is [ringing] like every other minute,” Singh said.

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