CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A first in the nation-a gas station offering community outreach programs opened its doors Thursday on the West Side.
The Roux Gas Station on 71st and Western in the Chicago Lawn Neighborhood is just the first of what creators hope will be numerous convenience stores featuring community outreach programs, along with contests and promotions centered around literacy and parental involvement.
The Chicago Defender reported that Alderman David Moore encouraged the initiative back in 2019.
“It’s not just a regular gas station; it’s a community space to make sure that we bring businesses with a purpose to our community," he said.
Author Lavaille Lavette was at the grand opening of The Roux Gas Station, which uses her children’s book character Roopster Roux as its mascot.
"All around the notion of reading is my superpower," she said addressing a crowd of about two dozen McKay Elementary School students.
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