Keep the West Side the Best Side!

Convincing businesses to come to West Tulsa will have a larger impact on our community than simply creating closer options for goods and services. Businesses have a direct impact on the strength of a community, and right now West Tulsa could use a boost. It's not that there's nobody here to support these businesses, quite the opposite in fact. We're here, it's the non-west side based businesses that don't know about us. Any business that opens its doors to Westsiders and surrounding communities will undoubtedly benefit from a mutually beneficial relationship. It's up to us to show them this.

Currently there are 6 vacant buildings in Town West, ranging in size from small (where the tax service used to be), medium (like where Payless and May's used to be) to large (the Chepo Depot and Piggly Wiggly spot).

This allows business owners and those thinking of opening a business a lot to choose from. It also means there's the potential to have 6 new stores close to home. Remember how excited we were (and still are) about Tulsa Hills? Isn't it nice to have these thriving businesses in our community?

Some might think that Tulsa Hills is enough, that we don't really need any new businesses in West Tulsa or surrounding areas. But why stop there? Shouldn't we try to ensure that the next generation of young people, the future of our community, chooses to stay here in favor of moving to somewhere that's "more happening"?

I've personally called West Tulsa home for the last 12 years, even when I was mostly living on the campus of TU. When my fiance' and I first started discussing where we were moving to after I graduated, we at first wanted to more across the river. Why? For me, I wanted to go somewhere that offered something new. I wanted to be near new and different stores, places to eat and entertainment. I mean, there's not a bar or club around here that really appeals to young adults or teens. These places to hang out and have fun are important to this age group. A lot of times we would drive across the river to shop or get something to eat or have fun, so why not just move there? I didn't want to leave but I felt that this place was at a developmental standstill. I'd help make the west side stronger myself by opening up a club or something if I had the money, believe me. We started seeing the development of Tulsa Hills and Eric and I decided to stay, for a couple of years at the very least. It's my hope that West Tulsa wakes up even more in the mean time.

Let's keep in mind that while Tulsa Hills is thriving, it's not exactly in the heart of West Tulsa. In the heart of West Tulsa are shopping centers with vacant buildings (think of Krystal City) and empty lots only occupied by grass. The more businesses that are able to thrive in our community will only make it stronger and better. Town West is a great place to start, because it does a good amount of business and is in a great location near the high way. Those thinking about coming here will be able to see that their business will have success, especially with the community support I'm hoping to receive on Facebook.

This effort is going to be slow to start at first, like a seed rolling down a snowy slope. But if people in the community, people like you, help to keep it moving we'll eventually see big results.

Please tell your friends about this project and Facebook, or give me their name and I'll personally invite them to join. Thank you for reading this.

Sincerely,
Jenna Applegate
Assistant Commercial Property Director
Case & Associates