TULSA -- Another blow fell to north Tulsa grocery shoppers on Wednesday as the owner of Gateway Market announced exclusively to 2 Works for You that the store is closing for good.
For many families in north Tulsa, the Gateway Market near Pine and Peoria is their only means of getting fresh produce.
“The meat and stuff like that, it’s real good deals,” Lindsey Blanchard, a shopper said.
For the Blanchard’s, walking is the only way to travel.
“It’s usually me, my husband, and little baby,” Blanchard said.
That’s why the news of Gateway Market's sudden closing is causing concern.
“Now ’ll have to walk further down that way,” Blanchard said, “There's that Dollar Store down that way."
However the dollar store doesn't sell fresh produce.
“I come here for the major bulk of meat, which everybody really loves,” Joel Mitchell, a shopper said.
A community, considered a food desert, is now losing yet another grocery store.
“I don't know what people would do if this store shuts down,” Mitchell said.
He’s referring to the many families who do not have cars and can only shop within close proximity to their homes.
Antonio Perez, Owner of Gateway Market, said the closure is because of lack of support.
“Every business is there to make money and needs the community support, and when you don't get it you have to quit at some time,” Perez said.
He said the hopes for the store were high at one point, but eventually began to dwindle.
“They were hoping to get very low prices, which we couldn't do because our overhead and our volume not being the same as the big chains,” Perez said.
The closing, now sparking a cry within the community.
“More grocery stores and less QuikTrips and liquor stores,” Mitchell said.
North Tulsa, is still fighting for proper groceries, but without community support, officials said businesses will continue to struggle.
The store will officially close Nov. 11.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
