'It means so much more than I can express in words': Gas station owner turns businesses into a place for community

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — A key to community is giving back.

A gas station owner is making his business a place for the people, and he's hoping to see the love continue in the neighborhood.

In southeast Milwaukee, Faisal Bhimani has become a familiar, friendly face to many.

As the owner of the BP and Citgo gas stations on Howard and Clement, Bhimani is proud to be a part of the Bay View and Saint Francis area.

"I've always been in this neighborhood right here in Bay View. Started in '98, and here we are, 27 years later," he said.

Five years ago, he decided to use his businesses for good, after seeing a young child's lemonade stand get robbed.

"A person reached over, grabbed the money, and ran away, and that's when I came up with the idea of having the lemonade stand in my parking lot," he explained.

Bhimani has offered his BP parking lot as a place for kids to sell lemonade or Girl Scout cookies, while staying safe.

"That space is open, the space is there, so why not, right?" he said. "The customers who come in, they don't have to spend a penny at the gas station as long as they support the cause."

From then on, the generosity has evolved, with community members hosting fundraisers and bringing donations to his store.

"It kind of makes you proud," Bhimani said. "These people are actually going the extra mile and helping people out, knowing we're doing this for Saint Francis and Bay View."

Two Saint Francis High School students, Katie and Sierra, are collecting hygiene supplies for teens in need.

"I have a box in there where people can actually donate, and they come and pick it up and take it to their school," Bhimani explained.

On the front counter, there's always a donation jar, benefitting a different organization every two weeks.

"Street Angels we do it for, Project Concern we do it for, Bay View pantry we do it for," Bhimani said. "Whatever money we collect; I match the donation and then we just donate it to the respective charities."

Bhimani also collects food or supplies for the city's homeless population, with help from neighbors.

"People have been coming in here, donating the food, the cans, the blankets, the jackets," he explained. "When its sub-zero out, I put a message out there saying I have jackets at my store. So, if Project Concern isn't open, other places aren't open, I 'm here at 4:00 in the morning."

His gas station has become a hub for charity, as an easy place for customers to give back to the community.

"It really sank in that the community, the more you do for the community, the more comes back to us," Bhimani said.

It's a cause near to his heart.

"I wasn't as fortunate, being from Pakistan, I wasn't fortunate growing up, but and now, seeing this, I kind of feel what the struggle is about," he said. "Helping the kids, helping the adults, it means so much more than I can express in words.

That love for the neighborhood is what has kept him in business.

Construction on Howard Avenue last summer almost forced the gas stations to close.

"I've been doing this for 27 years, but those ten months were probably the longest I've ever done this," he explained.

Bhimani ended up selling the gas stations in November, and he's paying lease in the space for now.

"If it wasn't for the community, I probably would have locked doors a long time ago," he said.

This may be Bhimani's last year in the neighborhood, but he hopes the generosity will continue after he leaves.

"I've been talking to a few people that are willing to take that over and continue to do what I'm doing with the help of others," he explained. "I kind of want to encourage more and more people, more and more business owners to do the same."