Good News For The North Side

By Latoya Silmon, News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Christmas could come early for North Tulsa. After more than a year without a grocery store, the city says new investors are coming to the table.

It's a gift that North Tulsans have waited more than a year and a half for. So who's serving as Santa?

Well the city is remaining tight lipped about the investors for fear the deal could fall through, but we're told they're ponying up cash, so this time could be the real deal.

It was once a source of pride and proof that North Tulsa was progressing, but then Albertson's shut down.

"Taking a store out of community is the start of killing a community," said city councilman Jack Henderson.

Henderson says amenities like a grocery store are a life line for any area that wants to revitalize, but North Tulsans are forced to travel to another side of town to shop.

"Most people can't even imagine what that's like, right.  You have a tear down of the community structure.  Nobody wants to move into a neighborhood without grocery store," said Henderson.

But that could change soon.

"We're a couple weeks away from consummating a sale," said Mike Bunney of Tulsa Economic Development.

The city says a group of investors wants to buy up this property to get North Tulsans shopping in their own backyard again. And unlike previous peaks of interest, this deal may be more of a sure thing.

"This offer has been represented to us as a cash offer.  In this tight credit market a cash offer tends to have a lot more credibility," said Bunney.

"All I want to do is have a store by Christmas, that's my new motto. A store by Christmas that would be a good Christmas present for the community," said Henderson.

Walman Commerical Real Estate is representing the investors, but The News On 6 was unable to get a hold of their realtor. The News On 6 has learned the investors are likely from Tulsa.

Related Story:

11/10/2008 - Quest To Reopen Closed Grocery Store