west valley
Volume 33 Issue 30 Goodyear, AZ
May 11, 2022
Yuma construction forces Roman’s Oasis to move BY LAUREN SERRATO West Valley View Staff
A
IN THE BIZ
West Valley staple, Roman’s Oasis is set to move to accommodate the expansion of Yuma Road. “I do have apprehensions,” said Myra Curtis, owner of Roman’s Oasis. “I’m pretty sure I will until we get into the new building. I’ve had five years to get used to it because soon after I purchased the bar, it became known that we were going to be moving at some point because of the roadway. “I’ve had all these years to formulate a plan and convey that to everyone and really make sure that I’m prepared to move Roman’s forward in the same manner that it is here and ensure that the historic value stays.” Curtis said although it’s disheartening, the move has left her optimistic. “If we were to stay and they widened the road, our rooster right out front may or may not be in the right of way,” Curtis said. “We would not want to have the roadway right up next to the building. It would just be unsafe, and I will not allow that. So, we are forced to move, but the city has been incredibly supportive and positive about Roman’s remaining a part of this project, which is incredible.” Curtis took over the business in 2015, four years after her father, Roman Comer, died. Roman’s wife, Karen, owned the bar during the four-year gap. Curtis’ daughter Sarah, 36, is a manager and will eventually become owner. The 9,000-square-foot bar will reloPublic Notices ............... page 3 © Copyright, 2022 West Valley View, Inc.
cate to the land just southeast of where it stands, following the building’s demolition. Roman’s guests can help decorate the new bar to create a similar interior. “I’m trying to help settle their fears,” Curtis said. “I’m going to give them a chance to pick a section, or an entire corner, take everything down off the wall so that when Roman’s Oasis will relocate to southeast of where it curwe get over to the new rently stands. (Roman’s Oasis/Submitted) building, it will be very similar. They will be able to put things “As a Christian, I never thought the back in a familiar place for them.” bar would be where I was,” Curtis said. The new location will have a similar “I grew up in the church, I understood size, setup and layout. the values of Christianity, and what I “We will still have three or four dis- see here are the same values, people tinctive areas. It might just be a little taking care of people, and that’s why I bit of a different footprint,” Curtis said. thrive here. And that’s why my daugh“There will also be some new elements ter thrives here.” that are inviting.” Sarah, like her mother, started workCurtis said this furthers the welcom- ing in the bar with her grandfather at ing atmosphere that Roman’s already the age of 19. possesses. Demolition is planned toward the “It’s amazing. It’s like a community, end of the year. Curtis said she hopes and I’ve always said that this is like a to continue her father’s success in the community center,” she said. “My fa- new building. vorite part of this whole experience “A legacy of camaraderie,” Curtis has to be the people. It’s just a fantastic said. “I pray that we can continue to be place to be.” here for people. We serve as a getaway Curtis, 61, admitted that despite hav- for some people, an escape. It’s such a ing been involved in the bar since she unique venue, and sure it has its flaws, turned 19, she never imagined herself but it’s still the same friendly, relaxed, taking over the business from her fa- welcoming environment that my dad ther. created.” (USPS 004-616) is published weekly
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