‘GAS STATION WITH PURPOSE’
The Roux opens on the South Side with pumps, store and literacy center for kids
“WE WANTED TO MAKE IT A COMMUNITY GAS STATION, THERE’S NOTHING SIMILAR TO IT IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.” MOHAMMED ABDALLAH, investor in The Roux
Lavaille Lavette is a former teacher who started a popular series of children’s stories to get her brother interested in reading.
She also got businessmen Mohammed Abdallah and Naser Odeh interested in building a “gas station with purpose.”
On Thursday, they cut the ribbon for The Roux. Named for Lavette’s “Adventures of Roopster Roux,” it features gas pumps, convenience store — and a literacy center, where younger children can sit and read and where teens can enter programs to mentor others in reading.
The date of the opening coincides with “Roopster Roux Day” declared by Mayor Richard Daley in 1998.
Lavette said the gas station is a “jump-off point to show how business and education can work together in a meaningful way.”
“The idea is to spread the message that learning could be as much fun as a slam dunk, touchdown or home run,” Lavette told the SunTimes. “We’re about not only making a difference, but being a difference.”
The gas station, which borders Chicago Lawn and West Englewood neighborhoods at 7051 S. Western Ave., was a vacant lot before Abdallah and Odeh invested over $4 million into building The Roux.
“We wanted to make it a community gas station, there’s nothing similar to it in the city of Chicago,” Abdallah said.
They plan to build six more in Chicago. The gas station is partnering with Chicago Public Schools, national corporations, faithbased and community organizations to host programs including a literacy club, sports activities and partnerships with professional athletes and celebrities.
Over a dozen third graders from McKay Elementary School were invited to the grand opening Thursday. They squealed at the Roopster Roux mascot and yelled out “Math!” when asked what their favorite subject was.
Also on hand was Tina Hammond, who has lived in Englewood for 45 years. She thinks the gas station will contribute to the community.
“Anytime somebody comes into the neighborhood with anything that’s positive, I’m excited about it,” Hammond said. “I think it’s important.”
Firas Yassin, who manages the store at the gas station, believes people will do business at a place that pays back to the community. “It makes me proud to be a part of a business like this.”