DECATUR — For two Decatur businesses, the long-awaited opening of a project that has been on the drawing board for more than a year finally arrived with the opening of the new Junction 59 recreation center in Decatur on Jan. 13.
When Vikas “Lucky” Sood purchased the old House of Chicken-Decatur State Bank-storage building in early 2016, his dream of a place where Decatur area residents could come to play arcade games, watch football on a large-screen television or rent a U-Haul truck or trailer was set into motion.
Sood first came to Decatur in 2012. He sank nearly everything he had into the purchase of the Handy Mart store on Roller Avenue just east of the four-way stop in Decatur. It was his hope that by serving the community, Handy Mart would grow and prosper.
When Walmart opened the new Neighborhood Market across the street from Handy Mart, it looked like Sood’s investment would be the town’s first causality. But Sood kept pace with Walmart by keeping his gas prices and other services competitive. When Walmart closed the store less than a year later, Handy Mart had survived.
With the loss of a supermarket in Decatur, Sood made arrangements with a produce distributor to sell fresh fruits and vegetables to those Decatur residents who were unable to drive the 15 miles to the nearest supermarket.
Sood loves to give back to the community. He is an active member of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce and sponsored several local events, including the Easter Egg Hunt and the Decatur Barbecue. But Sood wanted to do even more for the community.
When the idea for a recreation center was first proposed, Sood found a way to give the community something it lacked, a place where area youth and adults can hang out, watch sports and play arcade-style games. Soon the idea expanded to include a U-haul rental facility, vapor shop and a small postal supply center. It took nine months from the purchase of the building to complete the renovation. But Junction 59 has more to offer Decatur area residents than just a recreation center.
“We have a room to rent out for parties,” said Sood. “We have pool tables and a 170-inch flat-screen television to watch ball games and boxing matches.”
But more than just a new business, Sood and his partner, Viver Gupta, saved a vital piece Decatur history. The entire complex on the southeast side of the four-way to Church Ave. was thought to be unusable. Due to his efforts, the only part of the complex he was unable to restore was the old Decatur State Bank that occupies the center of the complex. But Sood still holds out hope he can renovate this building for future expansion projects.
During the opening ceremony, dignitaries from the Decatur Chamber, City Council, Fire Department and Police Department, School Board, and local residents gathered in the recreation center to hear Decatur Mayor Bob Tharp declare Junction 59 open for business.
“Tonight we are excited to have this business open up and impact the economy of our town,” Tharp said. “As the mayor of Decatur and having knowledge that Lucky has completed all the paper work and passed all building inspections, it is my privilege to declare Junction 59 open for business.”
Sood, along with his daughter Vidhi and chamber vice-president Ladale Clayton, cut the ceremonial red ribbons formally opening Junction 59 for business.
“I am really excited — excited for us, excited for the community,” Sood said. “We did a lot to this building to bring these services to not just Decatur but other communities in the area.”
Sood and Gupta invite residents of Gentry, Gravette, Centerton and other area communities to share in the Junction 59 experience which would bring additional revenue to the Decatur economy.
The arcade and recreation room is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. For hours of operation for the vapor shop, postal supply center, U-Haul rental and other services, call 479-752-0059.