“I grew up at Eddie’s Liquors. Eddie’s my grandfather and I was very close to him. I was his favorite. When I grew up, we had lots of uncles, so many I couldn’t count. We came from Illinois. We started off across the street, in that building over there. It was a store there and my grandfather ran it with his brothers and my father. Eventually, they bought this side of the store and moved over here. I was about three or four years old, when they moved over here. Once this started, I think my uncles left and went somewhere else. My dad and my grandfather continued to own this store. 

It’s very important to continue that family business. Even though I have my own business ventures, this is still my home. This is where I grew up at, since I was a kid. I moved away at 18, and moved back because this place has a special place in my heart. This is home for me. These people around here mean a lot to me. They know us. I can’t go nowhere without being recognized and that’s why I always stayed out of trouble.

The West End needs more stuff for the youth to do, more jobs, and more opportunities. I hate that there’s nothing to do around here. We need more stores. I cannot stand going to Hurstbourne to do all of my shopping. I’d rather spend my money within my community, but you can’t because there’s nothing down here. We don’t have any food and we have to go across town to a restaurant. It’s crazy.”- Iman, Shawnee