By far the strangest truckstop/ fuel stop I've experienced

The Wilco in St. Matthews, SC on I-26 at Exit 139.

It may take more than one 'visit' but after awhile I realized something 'just wasn't right' about the place. The parking lot always had a disproportionate number of private and commercial vehicles from NY, NY, PA, etc. I noticed the place was always unusually quiet; not 'dead quiet' but not the volume you would expect in such an establishment. There have only been a handful of times I've stopped there when someone wasn't being verbally accosted in what appeared to be 'manufactured altercations'.

I recall one 'event' at the Wilco In Blacksburg, SC, I-85 at Exit 106. I had stopped to buy fuel and decided to stay and eat inside at the Wendy's on the premises. A normal looking 'family of four' came in and sat down across from me. After a brief period of time I realized these 'people' were glaring at me! I tried to start some 'small talk' but they just responded minimally. I finished my meal and departed; was spooked by the 'experience'.

I'm not picking on Wilco Fuel Stops as I use their facilities often when I'm in that part of the country but some 'events' you never forget because something wasn't 'clicking just right'.

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Perhaps some possible material for a future Twilight Zone episode.

 

My employer is based in WI but the facility I report to is in NC. Prior to my current employment I drove in the South on a regular basis for years. Nothing else quite like the Wilcos I mentioned.

I can't imagine a similar facility in Upstate NY staffed by what appears to be locals(?), the parking lot swamped with vehicles from GA, AL, MS, etc. with the 'customers'(?) looking for a fight with the locals....