Tulsa Corner Store Builds Neighborhood Community

By Rick Well, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The Blue Jackalope opened just west of downtown Tulsa two years ago in a neighborhood that hadn't had a corner grocery in perhaps decades.

The little store filled a need for the folks who'd stop in.

"The old timers who remembered corner stores and coming in to talk about their memories of being able to walk down to the corner and pick up bread and milk for their parents," said Scott Smith, owner of The Blue Jackalope.

So that was the idea, bring that corner store back and give the neighborhood a place to get the basics. But Scott Smith had no idea how to do that, so he's had to be flexible.

"I've had to change my inventory to please my customers," Smith said.

But he's also tried to introduce those customers to healthier choices, better recipes and fresh produce. Last year they put in a community garden across the street. This year they'll expand it. The food they grow will feed the gardeners. The excess they'll sell in the store.

Two customers who stopped by wanted to talk about a new bill just signed by the Governor.

House Bill 3015 allows for low interest loans to entrepreneurs who want to open healthy neighborhood groceries, like the Blue Jackalope, in neighborhoods without a corner store.

"56th and Cincinnati, 46th and Lewis, Admiral and Harvard where the Piggly Wiggly closed," said Katie Plohocky, a customer of the Blue Jackalope.

Perhaps the same thing will happen. New energy, new ideas, and a better neighborhood.

"I'd like to take credit, but it's the people coming in," Smith said.

The Blue Jackalope is located at the corner of South Phoenix and Charles Page Blvd, just west of downtown Tulsa.  It's open everyday.