Dallas city leaders have worked hard for years to develop South Dallas.
Some of that hard work could be seen Thursday with the grand opening of a QuikTrip at Interstate 35E and Ledbetter Drive.
The Glenn Oaks community has seen a boom in business ever since a new Wal-Mart opened next door a year ago.
"Behind us we are going to have an IHOP," Dallas city councilman Dwaine Caraway said. "Behind us, we are going to have a Whataburger. Beside us, we are going to have a Taco Bell."
Caraway, along with Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, joined a host of others from the community for the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new QuikTrip. The opening of the store is the beginning of dozens of other stores that will be opening by the end of the year.
"I keep telling investors. I keep telling real estate people. I keep telling bankers that southern Dallas is not a charity case," Rawlings said. " It is an investment opportunity."
Those who live in Glenn Oaks say they are happy to see the growth.
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"We now have a transition on the hill," said Glenn Oaks Home Owner's Association President Carolyn Arnold. "It's bringing jobs. It's bringing income. It's boosting the tax base and it's definitely adding to the convenience opportunities we have available now to us in Glenn Oaks."
Those at Thursday's QuikTrip grand opening say they only see bright things in the future of South Dallas.
"What I would like to see is boom, boom, boom," Arnold said. "I would like to see more conveniences, more table top restaurants, the health food stores, I do think they will come because of the result of this particular project."
All of the new businesses have also brought more jobs. Wal-Mart alone has brought an additional 300 jobs to the area.
