Bring It To Tulsa and young professionals in the area have started a grass-roots business
initiative focused on bringing different businesses to Tulsa
The Tulsa Young Professionals group tells FOX23 the first campaign will focus on providing a “pop-up” shop for Trader Joes.
Hillary Parkhurst with
TYPros’ says the group has created an online Trader Joes catalog on their website where customers can purchase their favorite items.
“The items are available now and our deadline is February 8th,” said Parkhurst.
The group plans to get the grocery items from Trader Joe’s location in Kansas City and then transport them back to Tulsa. The Trader Joes “Pop Up” shop will be located in the Brady District on February 16th.
“This is our way to let the company know that there is a need and this community wants to see a store come in,” said Parkhurst.
Products that contain alcohol will not be part of the pop up shop.
Executive Director with the Tulsa Young Professional, Brian Paschal, told FOX23 that Oklahoma’s Liquor laws are one of the barriers that have prevent Trader Joes from coming to Tulsa.
“The business model for Trader Joes made it impossible to come to Oklahoma because we can’t sell beer or wine in grocery stores,” said Paschal.
Paschal says he hopes the group’s creative tactics will encourage the company to pay attention to the interest level in Tulsa.
“Our hope is just to shine a spotlight, if nothing else hopefully it shows at least that there is interest for a grocery store downtown,” said Paschal.
