The oldest business in Grambling is the small barbershop in the white building in the village. James Moore is located at 325 Main St., has been open for 55 years.
Moore has seen more than your average Gramblinite. He was the first barber in the town, and he was the late Eddie Robinson’s personal barber. Moore said he has seen more businesses come and go than any other business owner.
“(Grambling State University) and its enrollment plays a big part in how the businesses do,” said Moore. “We usually get a quite bit of business from the students.”
Last semester, GSU enrollment was 4,504 students down 500 students from the previous semester. The enrollment for this semester was not available at print time.
Another long-time business owner is Johnny Gray, the owner of Gray’s Insurance Company. He started the business by selling life insurance, but later expanded to other types of insurance.
Gray also takes bill payments and does money orders. Until November, students and citizens could buy bus tickets and ride the Greyhound through his store. Gray Insurance is located on College Drive. The strip mall he is located in has the total of 5 businesses, some of them open and some closed.
Gray said the key to maintaining a business in Grambling is with a good plan and imagination. However, Cathy Douglas, the vice president of the Greater Grambling Chambers Commerce, said the problem is that people don’t keep their money in Grambling.
“We don’t shop here, we don’t shop Grambling first,” she said.
Douglas also said most new businesses do not advertise enough, and they may need help with marketing. The oldest business in Grambling is the small barbershop in the white building in the village. James Moore is located at 325 Main St., has been open for 55 years.
Moore has seen more than your average Gramblinite. He was the first barber in the town, and he was the late Eddie Robinson’s personal barber. Moore said he has seen more businesses come and go than any other business owner.
“(Grambling State University) and its enrollment plays a big part in how the businesses do,” said Moore. “We usually get a quite bit of business from the students.”
Last semester, GSU enrollment was 4,504 students down 500 students from the previous semester. The enrollment for this semester was not available at print time. Another long-time business owner is Johnny Gray, the owner of Gray’s Insurance Company. He started the business by selling life insurance, but later expanded to other types of insurance. Gray also takes bill payments and does money orders.
Until November, students and citizens could buy bus tickets and ride the Greyhound through his store. Gray's Insurance is located on College Drive. The strip mall he is located in has the total of 5 businesses, some of them open, some closed.
Gray said the key to maintaining a business in Grambling his with a good plan and imagination. However, Cathy Douglas, the vice president of the Greater Grambling Chambers Commerce, said the problem is that people don’t keep their money in Grambling.
“We don’t shop here, we don’t shop Grambling first,” she said.
Douglas also said most new businesses do not advertise enough, and they may need help with marketing.
One of the newer businesses in the city was Rajo’s Chicken and Waffles. The business spread rapidly throughout the Grambling community, well known for the different flavor chicken wings and affordable meals. But by the end of the spring 2013 semester – they closed.
“You also need patience,” said Gray. “This is a descending community. There is no new baby soil being planted here, the town consist of ages 65 and over.” Gray said the town is like a resort for the older community, minus the college students.
He believes that in order for your business to be successful you have to stay open longer than three years and you have to have a plan.
“Were willing to help the businesses, but they don’t ask for help,” Douglas said. “The Chambers Committee and the College of Business could partner up and we help the businesses come up with marketing plans, but they don’t ask us.”
Santice Cain opened Cain Gang, which is also located on Main Street, five years ago. He is a Grambling native, and he too has seen many businesses come and go. Now having one of his own, he said the key to successful business is staying open.
“It’s not a big community and the students are always looking for a place that’s open – and good!” he said.
Many people believe more businesses would succeed if the community would support and not just leave it to the students.
“We need to take care of Grambling first and support what’s here,” said Douglas.