Yakama Nation Closes Down Minimart

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Story Published: Nov 10, 2009 at 6:42 PM PDT

By Melissa Wagner

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Toppenish - Another business falls prey to the economic downturn. The Yakama Nation has done it's best to weather the financial storm. But the so-called economic upswing hasn't come soon enough to keep at least one business on the reservation from going under.

Locked doors, empty gas tanks and vendors picking up their supplies. This popular host spot in Toppenish is no longer open. The Yakamart is owned and operated by the Yakama Nation.

Ralph Sampson, Jr. is the Tribal Council Chairman, " We've got some, I guess, financial difficulties with our enterprise there."

Not even the Yakama Nation can escape this recession. Tribal Council shut down the Yakamart late last night, catching everyone by surprise.

" I was very surprised. Her mother works here and I didn't even know that," said Yakama Nation member, Sophie.

Another member added, " I didn't know that. I came to use the phone and it doesn't even work."

So far this business is the only one to take a hit on tribal land. Sampson said, " It's been on the decline lately."

Tribal Council Chairman Ralph Sampson Jr told me their budget for fiscal year 2010 is set. And though the Yakama Nation has had to scale back a little, it's running fairly close to generating the same revenue as 2008.

Good news for the tribe as a whole, but for members who relied on the Yakamart for their gas and goods, " Gotta go into town, but a lot of people walk," said Sophie, for now that convenience is gone.

The good news is, Sampson Jr says this may not be a permanent closing. They'll make a decision once they finish reviewing all the financial records.

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