Denise Lapointe’s getting down to keep her fuel costs low.
The New Yorker, a 60-something, free-spirited single, based in Saratoga County, is one in the number of hip-swaying, gyrating locals to score a sweet deal by shaking her moneymaker in the Sunoco of Halfmoon gas station’s “Dance for a Discount” challenge.
“I saved $15.00!” an elated Lapointe exclusively told The Post. She’s the sole dancing diva featured in the truck stop’s viral vid, which has netted nearly 10 million views across social media.
Lapointe tells The Post that an impromptu boogie saved her a whopping $15 at the Sunoco of Halfmoon, New York, where the “Dance for a Discount” trend has gone viral. Sunoco & Halfmoon Car Wash
“I just danced to the beat of my own drum while singing, ‘I’m dancing for a discount. I’m dancing for a discount,’” said Lapointe. “Just being my goofy self.”
Goofy, groovy moves afforded the bus driver and mom of one, as well as the other participants in the viral call to action, a 20% break on their overall bill at the fueling hub, located approximately three hours outside of New York City on highway NY-146.
The modest reduction comes as a penny-saving lifesaver to budgeted residents of the upstate community as “out of control” cost of living demands, including gas prices, climb.
Car owners from coast-to-coast have suffered the financial pangs of surging gas charges amid the nation’s ongoing conflict with Iran. While motorists in and around the Big Apple have felt the steep bite, Californians have been hit the worst, forced to shell out roughly $6.00 per gallon at the pump.
Store manager Eva Marie (pictured) was thrilled when Sirtori came up with the idea to have customers shake it for a price break. Sunoco & Halfmoon Car Wash
And with rent fees reaching an all-time high exceeding $6,600 per month, and grocery prices on a steady rise across the country, frugal folks like Lapointe don’t mind busting a move for a bargain.
“There are so many people struggling financially, especially those with large families and seniors. Every bit helps,” she said, grateful to Sunoco of Halfmoon for the chance to save and dance. “They have the best staff. Very down to earth, always making their customers feel welcomed.”
“We are like family.”
Paulina Sirtori, 23, the gas station’s social media manager and the mastermind behind the trending hoot, tells The Post that she, along with store manager Eva Marie and the rest of the staff, are happy to offer their regulars and newcomers some much-needed relief from the squeeze.
Sirtori (not pictured) says she and the Sunoco of Halfmoon staff value each other, and their customers, like family. Sunoco & Halfmoon Car Wash
Bill, a Sunoco regular, happily shook is stuff for the money-saving stunt. Sunoco & Halfmoon Car Wash
“It’s our goal to treat customers the best that we can,” said Sirtori, a recent Syracuse University grad, now making a big splash on her first post-college gig. “The No. 1 complaint we hear from people everywhere is that gas prices are just too high. So we wanted to really do something to alleviate that a little bit.”
The Gen Zer, inspired by Whitney Houston’s classic jam, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” asked patrons to shake a leg for at least 15 seconds for the discount on July 30, prompting some to kick up their heels, while others dropped it low.
“Bill, he was our first dancer; he started twerking and kind of dropping it down and got as low as he could,” Sirtori recalled with a chuckle. “Then we had Dan, who kind of popped his hip out and whipped his head around, calling it his ‘Michael Jackson move.’”
Footage of the funky festivities has attracted herds of discount hopefuls to the gas station, many ready to cut a rug for a price cut.
But Sirtori says the store is moving on from the dance for a discount swing, and will soon be offering a new, equally electrifying way to save.
“Most of the time, people come here out of necessity, not really wanting to spend a lot of money,” she explained, remaining tight-lipped on details about the store’s upcoming series of discount challenges and giveaways. “So whenever someone walks through the door, we want them to smile and have a good time.”
“We wanted to bring some enjoyment to people during these hard times.”
