Out of the ashes, the Emerson Service Center — or The Station as it’s also known — in Taylor has morphed from a burned out shell of a building just weeks ago into the early stages of rising to life once again. The former service center-turned restaurant, fuel station, and social center was a fixture in the heart of the small town for nearly a century, and now its owner is hoping new building can do the same.
Just three months after a crippling, ultimately devastating, electrical fire, the process of resuscitating the only service center or fuel hub left in the town of 500 residents has been swift and filled optimism and excitement for its proprietor, but with its fair share of challenges.
Christy Ouei is Taylor’s own combination of town celebrity and familiar face mixed with a savvy, entrepreneurial mind. As a sponsor of local teams and an employer of over a dozen workers, the charitable and “driven” individual has a passion for her business, especially during this crucial reconstruction time.
“I’m a hard-headed soul,” she said. “There is no backup in my giddy-up.”
For the past three months, the Taylor resident has worked, studied, and hustled to restore her building back, better than it was before, all while retaining the charm and nostalgia of the one that once stood at the corner of West Pine and North Long Avenue.
The Station has taken on many forms over the years. It previously enjoyed stints as both Stuart’s and Souter’s Service Station and was one of the largest employers in Taylor upon its decimation last year with over a dozen workers. But after the fire — thought to have begun after store hours in the kitchen — the building sat burned-out. Just after the Dec. 19, 2017, fire, the single square-mile town was left without a fueling station or a regular place to grab fresh-made food.
The Station was insured, and Ouei was issued full replacement value for her property, but not operating the business any longer was simply out of the question.
“I could’ve taken my check and gone home,” she said. “But I just couldn’t do that. No one else was going to open a place like that in Taylor if they weren’t invested in the community.”
The site, which sits along U.S. Highway 371, operated seven days a week, from sun-up to late-night, and became somewhat of a social center for travelers to and from work throughout the Northwest Louisiana-Southwest Arkansas border region.
“If we didn’t know the news, we’d create it,” laughed the store owner. “I’ve even had calls asking who’s in the funeral home.”
For most of its history, The Station operated as a full-service fuel and auto center. But, in 2005, that changed. Ouei has either owned or co-owned the business for nearly two decades. Thinking the new business would be easier to staff, she chose 13 years ago to convert the auto, tire, and fuel center into a one-stop shop for gas, food, feed, and drinks.
Once rebuilt the new store will contain features previously deemed impractical or nearly impossible because of the old building’s limited space and antique features. The fire was believed to be sparked in the formerly cramped kitchen but, in the new Station, a full dining area and commercial cooking center will be prominently featured, along with a drive-through pick-up window set with a Facebook pre-order option. The abundance of new space will improve restroom and hand-washing areas as well as offer full beer, wine, and candy sections.
“I fit an amazing amount of stuff in a very small space,” said Ouei.
The business owner has even taken to social media to poll customers about future features they desire. Paper towels or hand dryers and the public’s opinion of décor ideas were just some of the questions posed.
With the help of area lender Bodcaw Bancshares, commercial and small business loans will aid the proprietor in the complete rebirth of her enterprise.
“I have to believe in Taylor and Bodcaw [Bank] has to believe in me,” she said.
The project will not be a small undertaking. Even the dirt and cement foundation will be redeveloped. The previous underground fuel tanks will be the first items to go. The warranty on the storage units was nearly expired, so Ouei decided now was the proper time to take them out and replace them, then re-pour a larger concrete slab.
“From the experience at the gas pumps to [the building’s] visuals to the service, it’s going to be way, way different,” she said.
The loss of its vintage, down-home look won’t be an issue for The Station. The near-century-old brick from the former old structure will be cleaned of their fire-damaged soot and laid anew as a welcoming, cobblestone-like inlay at the store. Ouei is scouring vintage markets, on the hunt for one-of-a-kind antiques for the new interior. Her first purchase was a classic wooden stand radio from the Fort Worth, Texas area.
Demolition began just over a week ago on the former store. The concrete was chiseled away over the lot for the last few days, leaving only fresh dirt as a canvas for new builders. In setting a somewhat ambitious goal for herself, Ouei hopes the new store will be open and fully operational before Independence Day, just 3.5 months away.
“I told my contractor I want to be pumping gas July 1,” she said.
Just hours after the fire, Taylor residents were behind Ouei and her effort to restore or rebuild The Station. The day after the accident, the owner said the entire lot was full of people wanting to help. When much of the store’s contents were condemned, giving Ouei only two hours to empty the building, a Facebook call was met with multiple area tractors and loaders arriving to work. A local concert fundraiser was held in February to aid the owner while she is unable to operate her store.
The process of rebuilding The Station has not come without its fair share of unforeseen events. Ouei originally thought she would keep the awnings, fuel pumps, and her flower-filled claw foot tub that adorned the outside walkway. In the end, however, only the tub will remain usable. But Ouei is just taking it in stride, as well as the rest of the rebuild twists and turns.
“I’m extremely motivated, but I know things happen,” she said. “Sometimes you think you’re going with plan A, but you end up on Plan J.”