By Ken Roland
Residents of Our Royal Palm neighborhood are raising concerns about the treatment of customers at The Blue Store, a local convenience shop that many rely on for daily essentials. Complaints have surfaced about the way customers primarily African American residents are spoken to by store employees and the business practices that some feel are exploitative.
During a recent visit, I experienced firsthand the dismissive and rude treatment that has become a common complaint among patrons. While attempting to purchase lottery tickets, I observed a pattern of disrespect toward customers, with staff speaking harshly and dismissively to the very people who keep their business running.
Beyond the customer service issues, another major concern is the additional fees charged to customers who use debit cards instead of cash. These extra charges create an economic burden on a community that already faces financial challenges. Many residents believe that such policies disproportionately impact the local Black population, funneling money out of the neighborhood rather than reinvesting it back into community businesses and services.
Call to Action: Supporting Black-Owned Businesses
The presence of non-Black-owned businesses in predominantly African American neighborhoods is not a new phenomenon. Historically, many outside business owners have set up shop in Black communities, profiting from local dollars without reinvesting in the people or the infrastructure of the neighborhood. This ongoing economic extraction prevents wealth circulation and limits the potential for Black entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
It is time for the residents of Our Royal Palm neighborhood to take action. We propose a boycott of The Blue Store and encourage the community to support Black-owned businesses instead. By intentionally redirecting our spending to businesses owned by African Americans in our own community, we can reclaim control over our local economy and create opportunities for self-sustaining growth.
Building a Sustainable Future
The vision for Our Royal Palm neighborhood should include businesses that respect, uplift, and contribute to the well-being of the people who live here. We need to encourage and support initiatives that provide financial resources, grants, and mentorship for Black entrepreneurs to open businesses that truly serve the community.
If outside business owners wish to operate in our neighborhood, they must be held accountable for their treatment of customers and their contribution or lack thereof to our economic well-being. Until then, we must stand together and demand better.
Our dollars have powers let’s use them wisely to build the community we deserve.
