Sonia Nash believes fate may have led her and her husband to own the BP gas station at 807 W. Atkinson Ave. in Milwaukee’s Arlington Heights area.
After their initial hesitancy, she and her husband, Marvin, became the owners of the only Black-owned gas station in Wisconsin. This was a legacy that Diane Stowers had established over 30 years prior, and they wanted to carry it on, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
However, things haven’t been easy since they gained control in November. The number of customers decreased when the gas station changed hands several times. In addition, a temporary closure before the Nashes took control raised questions regarding the business’s continued existence.
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This caused Sonia Nash’s husband to write an earnest appeal on Facebook.
The post read in part, “MILWAUKEE!! MILWAUKEE!! MILWAUKEE!! We NEED your help We cannot be successful without your help. My wife and I were blessed enough to be able to use our own money to start this business, without any grants or loans. Unfortunately, when times get tough, and unlike our competitors, we don’t have the luxury of borrowing money from other gas station owners. Therefore, WE NEED your help, Milwaukee!”
“Please patronize us. Please support us. We cannot succeed without you.
“I can’t tell anyone where to spend their hard-earned money, but how does the ONLY black and brown-owned gas station in Milwaukee not get the support it needs? I continuously see our people patronize our competitors who are directly across the street.”
Sonia Nash said she thinks people didn’t know the station was reopened and owned by a different person.
“Once that posted, people started supporting,” she told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “People do care and do care about Black businesses. I appreciate everybody that came and supported. They are still supporting.”
Both of the Nashes have never run a petrol station before. Sonia Nash is the facilities manager at an office tower on North 27th Street and West Hope Avenue. Her husband Marvin Nash retired last year as a lieutenant after about 20 years of service as a correctional officer with the Community Reintegration Center, previously the House of Correction.
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Bored, Marvin Nash decided to take a second job at Auer Steel and own a gas station. The pair rehired all of the station’s employees and they believe this has been extremely beneficial in understanding the business and running the gas station.
Sonia Nash explained, “We wanted to keep it Black- and Brown-owned.”
The Nashes intend to open a BBQ restaurant in the station’s cafe, so they have huge hopes for the business. As a way to thank the neighborhood, the couple also plans to organize bookbag and gas giveaways.
She mentioned that her husband recalled his mother taking him to the same petrol station to buy bread and milk. He never expected to own it one day.
