- By Margaret Hicks
Staff Writer
mhicks@theoklahomaegle.net
Some Good News And Some Bad News
Dewey and Felicia Morrow owners of D&F Mini Mart, a convenience store, located on Greenwood Avenue in Tulsa, Oklahoma, announced recently that they will be going out of business on Saturday, April 29, 2017. That’s the bad news.
The couple have owned and run their business from this location since 2003. In an interview with Mr. Morrow on last Tuesday and Mrs. Morrow on Wednesday The Oklahoma Eagle (Eagle) learned the following.
According to Mr. Morrow his rent is being raised by $479.93. This, added to his current rent of $700, is more than his business can afford. The Eagle learned from Mrs. Morrow that previously they had a five-year lease and when it expired last year they signed a one year lease which is now ending, thus the rent increase. Mrs. Morrow said that the situation “I…is in the Lord’s hands.” The Morrows believe, that the decision to increase their rent is a tactic to force them out.
No Running Water
Mr. Morrow said that when he moved his business into that building 13 years ago, it had no running water. It has no running water today and the carpet is the same carpet that was on the floor when he took occupancy 13 years ago. Morrow claims that he was promised by the then Greenwood Chamber (Chamber) that those items would be rectified. They never were, he said. He also said the current Chamber advised him, that “we don’t do that anymore” to which he pointed out “They never did.” Because of the lack of running water Morrow said that was not able to keep his business current with the time. Without water, he could not add a machine to dispense fountain drinks, slushies, or other products that require a water supply. In 13 years, his market has remained the same.
Being Forced Out
Though Morrow is not being asked to leave, he says the situation gives him no choice. He said to bring the building up to code would not be a sound business decision for him. It would mean that he would have to shut down business to get the repairs and upgrades done. To pay for the upgrade, he’s would have to “empty his 401K or take out a loan.” The former is not an option, and “who in their right mind” would make a loan to a business that is not making any money? Morrow said that it is not good business sense to spend that kind of money, on repairs and new equipment, on property that he does not own, and would be leasing at one year increments. Morrow further rationalized that there would be no guaranteed return on his investment.
Morrow believes that his departure from Greenwood will have negative effect on the economy in the neighborhood. He has the only ATM on the block which is used by customers of some of the cash businesses. Other businesses frequent his store for snacks, cigarettes, and other convenient items. They will now have to leave the block and leave their business for what was once convenient.
The Good News
In a follow-up conversation with Morrow, this morning (Thursday), the Eagle learned from Morrow that friends and supporters are offering financial assistance to him and his business. He said the “Lord is giving him favor!”
Comments From The Chamber
In a phone interview with Brandon Jackson, spokesman for the Chamber on this matter, the Eagle learned that in relation to the space not having “running water” that because it is a retail space and it is not required. If Morrow wanted to upgrade his business to include products that require rubbing water, then the responsibility to make the space useful for that purpose his responsibility. Brandon state that Chamber, over the past three years have offered assistance to Morrow by directing him to resources that could help in his business development; resources such as the Tulsa Economic Development Corp., and the Small Business Association, and sources to help develop a business plan, of which he said Morrow was not interested. He cited Fat Guy’s Burger Bar, a business on the block, who took out a loan to make their space useful for their purpose and business plan.
