The Shoppes On Peoria AimsTo Pump Money Back Into Tulsa's North Side

It's been a long time coming.

Tulsans are counting down to the grand opening of a brand-new shopping center at Pine Street and Peoria Avenue.

There's a new excitement in north Tulsa and many say The Shoppes on Peoria are exactly what the community needs to boost economic growth and create young entrepreneurs.

"It's exciting," business owner Deborah Carr said. "It's like a dream come true. It's like ‘Yes!'"

Carr is one of the new tenants at the Shoppes On Peoria.

She currently has a UPS Store at Tulsa Hills and plans to open a new store here sometime next month.

"It's something that we need here," Carr said. "We don't have to go miles away to get something."

This weekend, the shopping center brought in activities for kids of all ages.

It's a celebration of what's to come for the area and a chance to find out what type of stores will soon occupy the space.

There will be all kinds of things there -- from smoothie shops to hair salons and even a shoe boutique.

"To have things beautiful like this popping up, it really encourages the community," Tulsan Shawn Thomas said. "The kids are out here, everybody is having fun, it's Christmas time, so we're excited about it."

The Shoppes on Peoria is a six-year dream that's finally turning into reality.

"It helps to revitalize and energize our community. I'm excited about it," Rev. Anthony Scott said.

It's a joint effort from the City of Tulsa and several community groups.

Councilor Jack Henderson hopes the multi-million dollar project will restore prosperity to the black community.

"Trying to get back to the days when we had Black Wall Street on Greenwood and we could buy anything in our community without having to leave our community," Henderson said.

Little Caesars will be one of the first stores to open here.

It plans to hire about 20 people.

"When you put people to work, they reinvest with you locally so it's a win-win for everybody," Little Caesar's Chad Curtis said.

The popular pizza joint is expected to open on New Year's Eve.

The Shoppes On Peoria is still trying to find business for the last two available spaces.