I am surprised no one has said anything about Louie Farrels ice cream parlor. I loved that place. even in college at OSU I would drive in to the city to Crossroads to get ice cream. Ok and some window shopping since I was a broke college student. I don't think I every heard "Louie" mentioned in connection with it. Actually, that was Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor. I went there many times and I think it has been mention here previously, just not in the current conversation. https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=21271 I definitely remember these kind of scenes when I was there. 17178 17179

I worked at Orbach's at Crossroads while in college, from 1980 to 1982. men's clothing store. .

The grisly murders of Syril and his wife Christine in their Belle Isle home are still unsolved. Most believe it was a professional job which is why after all this time they have never found those responsible.

I don't remember the news of their deaths so I googled it. A posting of yours on OKCtalk dot com from 2007, how interesting. I had no idea OKCTalk went back that far.
.

Piccadilly cafeteria was located upstairs on the NW end of the mall. El Fenix was lower level near Montgomery Wards on the East end of the mall. There was an A&W on the upper level, CFA lower level, McD's , Orange Julius/Corn dog place, Farrell's, the pretzel place near the cigar store. I feel like Garfield's was something else prior, was it?

Garfield's came later; not sure which space they took over.

The pretzel place was called Swiss Pretzels.

Previous post from SoonerDave mentioned that the space started out as an English themed bakery and then remained vacant for a long time before Garfield's.

I love all these stories. Crossroads mall was amazing to me when I was younger and lived in Rural SE oklahoma. when we would visit my grandparents in Mustang just driving by it made me beg to go. then in Jr High and High school living closer that was the place to be!.

I had posted these before, but these were the tenants when the mall first opened in 1974:

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cr800.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cr801.jpg

I never realized there was a Tinder Box in Crossroads. I wonder if they had a on site cigar room like Plantations in Sooner Fashion Mall had.

So i almost didn't read all the tenants because I was like the chances of the original tenants ringing a bell of what I remember are slim. but Most of them definitely ring a bell and make me smile. Then I'm thinking wow some of those tenants were there a long time but then I recall I was born in 1971 so while many of them were there a long while I am also old and have a poor sense of time. LOL thank you Pete!

I never realized there was a Tinder Box in Crossroads. I wonder if they had a on site cigar room like Plantations in Sooner Fashion Mall had.

I don't think so; it was a tiny place.

Part of Crossroads Mall to become Asian Plaza (https://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=762-Part-of-Crossroads-Mall-to-become-Asian-Plaza)

In May, an out-of-state investment group purchased the mall section of what had been Crossroads Mall, as well as the department stores that had formerly been home to Dillard's (south) and JC Penney (west).


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/crossroads111221d.jpg


Although no plans were revealed at the time of purchase, investigation has revealed key components.

The acquiring LLC tracks back to the owner and operator of Chinatown in Salt Lake City, Utah, a sprawling 100,000 square foot complex that includes a large Asian grocery store.

Recently, a building permit was filed to construct an Asian “Friendship Gate” in the northwest parking area of Crossroads by the same architect that built a nearly identical structure at the Salt Lake City complex.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/crossroads111221a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/crossroads111421aa.jpg


The plans also reveal the name “Crossroads Asian Plaza” and tabs the former JC Penney building as 'Phase I'.

The same filing shows the mall and former Dillards – which the group also owns along with the associated 56.9 acres – as 'available'.

The former John A. Brown department store on the north side of the mall is under separate ownership and operates as Santa Fe South Hills Elementary. The former Montgomery Wards department store to the east is owned by a group operating Santa Fe South middle school and high school.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/crossroads111421ka.jpg


Located at the intersection of I-35 and I-240 in south Oklahoma City, Crossroads Mall was the first regional mall in Oklahoma when it formally opened in February of 1974. At 1.3 million total square feet, the mall hosted four department stores and nearly 100 shops and businesses.

By the 1990s, Crossroads started to decline and ultimately all the department stores closed and most of the retail shops followed. In 2013, the mall was purchased by a group planning to convert the property into a Latino-oriented mixed-use project to be called Plaza Mayor, but very little headway was made before completely shuttering the complex in 2017.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/crossroads1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cr754.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cr751.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cr756.jpg


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http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cr758.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cr1974a.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cr1974b.jpg

I'm not sure this initiative will be any more successful that past initiatives...

Something has to be done.

That entire property is crumbling, even the parking lots.

It was pretty shocking to walk around the property last weekend, and I know the inside is no better.

I wonder how much having a commuter train stop near here will help drive things.

If this doesn't work out though, maybe consider tearing it down (you know how much I hate to say that) and returning the land to "the neighborhood" to become housing, something that's needed anyway...

Are local Asian American business owners or entrepreneurs involved in this project? Do they already have agreements for local Asian American concepts as tenants?

I'm sorry but I just think this is weird. OKC has a thriving Asian district in a completely different part of town. A Hispanic/Latin themed version of this didn't work and OKC has many times more Hispanics and Crossroads is actually geographically close to that community.

What an odd mix of uses for this old mall. I think ShawnW upthread is correct. Bulldoze this entire thing, tear up the parking lot, return it to virgin ground and then rethink the whole parcel. Maybe distribution/warehouses, or housing if there is a need.

This seems like a poor choice of location and frankly hope it fails. We have an awesome Asian district and I think the focus on future development should be there instead of in a dead/isolated mall on the southside of town. I don't see how this wouldn't negatively impact the Asian district, similar to how it effected downtown retail when originally built, if successful. The Hispanic themed mall made a ton more sense and it it failed miserably.

Yeah. This is odd.

When this fails it will be time to just raze the mall. It’s served its purpose and every attempt to restore it to functionality has failed.

This seems like a poor choice of location and frankly hope it fails. We have an awesome Asian district and I think the focus on future development should be there instead of in a dead/isolated mall on the southside of town.

Southside/Moore/Del City has a fairly significant Asian population.

Hmm, feel like we went down this path before........

Also, I love how there is pot being grown literally beneath the feet of elementary school students. Not saying there is anything wrong with that. Its just funny. How far we have come.

Southside/Moore/Del City has a fairly significant Asian population.

didn't realize this (and I'm asian).

didn't realize this (and I'm asian).

I think predominantly Korean but Asian none the less.... Oklahoma City has about a 4.5% Asian population as of 2020 census and Moore is 2.4% and Del City is at 1.8%

Edit: Norman's 2020 population is 4.9%.

Looking forward to this plot of land finally becoming a viable mixed-use district 5-10 years after whenever the commuter rail line finally gets going.

The old pictures of the interior of the mall gave me a lot of warm and fuzzy feelings. I have no history with Crossroads, but spent time at Town East (Wichita) as a kid and Quail Springs as a teenager/young adult. Lots of really good memories from the mall scene.

The old pictures of the interior of the mall gave me a lot of warm and fuzzy feelings.

Yep.... I would sure like to be able to spend one more afternoon hanging out in the LeMans arcade playing Space Invaders and Asteroids

I'm very sentimental by nature, but Crossroads has a special place in my heart because I worked there (Orbach's) through most of my college years, so it is intertwined with a very important time in life.

There were a big group of OU students who worked there, from different fraternities and sororities. We all became good friends and would often go to each other's parties.

Among them were two different couples who met there and then married.

And we received amazing discounts on clothing... I think it was their cost -15%. So for most items that was way below half price. I learned to Dress for Success and developed an appreciation for dressing sharp and quality men's clothing that has served me well.

Breaks were spent getting an Orange Julius and/or playing Donkey Kong at Le Mans.


One of my fondest memories involves the Miracle on Ice in the 1980 winter Olympics. That hockey game against the Russians was played in the afternoon for some reason and customers coming into the store gave us the unbelievable news. It was to be aired on TV prime time, so as soon as I left work that night instead of going back to my place in Norman I drove to my home in NW OKC so I could watch the game with my mom, who was a huge hockey fan. I think she knew that we won because I showed up to watch it, but I never let on until it was over. Still, one of the most thrilling moments of 50+ years of sports fandom. My mom has been gone for 35 years and that was one of my favorite memories with her.

didn't realize this (and I'm asian).

The Giac Quang Buddhist temple on SE 44th st is a beautiful facility considering the area

The Giac Quang Buddhist temple on SE 44th st is a beautiful facility


https://img.geocaching.com/waymarking/display/72c27804-f5e1-425a-9eff-54986190341b.JPG https://img.geocaching.com/waymarking/log/display/614bbd5d-c43f-48a3-b418-d8a765e3c866.jpg

Thought of this when I saw Pete's renderings.

The Giac Quang Buddhist temple on SE 44th st is a beautiful facility considering the area

Yep... I considered mentioning the number of Korean and Vietnamese religious facilities on the south side. That shopping center at 89th and Penn is predominately Asian.... Panang, Pho B&B, Bistro B, and i forget what the place next to Panang was called but it's now Thai Street Eats. And that was also where the south side Asian grocery was before they closed it and opened World Fresh Market.

There are also several clothing alteration businesses, one at the corner mentioned above, that are all Asian owned and operated.

when I first saw the gate I was like - finally, we're getting a real Chinatown gate to the Asian District; then I read it is going into 'crossroad's mall'??? and wha???

I'm all about economic development and for growth in OKC but this will be a struggle; as mentioned, we already have a chinatown/international district that's thriving but needs some more theme/placemaking that's bolder than what we currently have. I so wish this could be developed there as opposed to Crossroads, as mentioned, Crossroads is better suited for a latin/hispanic theme. BTW, it failed because of the lack of vision and wanting to take on the entire property as opposed to something "smaller" like this.

Hate to say it should fail but I think it will stretch OKC too thin currently given its size and location away from the traditional, established district. But what if they brought in Asian Big Boxes like HMart and Chain restaurants like Yoshinoya or Din Tai Fung; it could actually work without taking away from the Asian District.

Who knows though, maybe they do this right and later open another anchor for the latin community (a revised Plaza Mayor), and perhaps one of the achor pods for Europe and another for Africa, then OKC would have a World International Mall as a tourism draw right with it's own Crossroads Commuter Rail Station and Transit Center and I-35/I-240.. Hmm.

I've learned the plan is to have a large restaurant and other businesses on the ground floor of the former JC Penney building and that a large Asian supermarket would be on the second level (ground level if you approach from the north/northwest -- the Friendship Gate would be just outside).


I had mentioned a cannabis grow facility which I have since deleted from the article because it sparked a furor.

There is a pending building permit application that shows it going into the same building as the elementary school (former John A. Brown) but it appears that was an error they made when filing. They are actually planning to build it in the former Dillard's which is owned by the purchaser of the mall, along with JC Penney.

After our story came out, I was contacted by the State Dept. of Education and the President of Santa Fe South Schools, both concerned about this grow facility. I've provided them with all the research I conducted. Very interesting, to say the least.

Hmm, feel like we went down this path before........

Also, I love how there is pot being grown literally beneath the feet of elementary school students. Not saying there is anything wrong with that. Its just funny. How far we have come.

Lol, I think you spoke too soon.

very weird that a grow facility could ever think to be allowed at a school zone let alone a school. Dont we also restrict Alcohol in the same manner?

very nice on the Asian development; sounds like it very well might be HMart as they do have a collection of restaurants and shoppes integrated in or just outside of most of them. I personally think it will do well and wont canibalize from the Asian district as the audience and experience is slightly different. However, if you ask me the best location for HMart would be at Belle Isle, just north of the Asian District but outside enough. Perhaps OKC can support multiple locations like other metros?

I fail to see the issue of the grow facility near the school

I fail to see the issue of the grow facility near the school

Residual moral panic about weed and kids. There may be specific Oklahoma code reasons that make this particular incident a problem, but in the end it all boils down to protecting kids from reefer madness.

Perhaps maybe it's going to be a Zion Market, They converted an old Sears store in Lewisville Texas in to a Zion Market. So maybe they'll do the same to Penney's.
https://zionmarket.com/new-location?store=lv

Residual moral panic about weed and kids. There may be specific Oklahoma code reasons that make this particular incident a problem, but in the end it all boils down to protecting kids from reefer madness.
Oh no not that evil Cannabis!!!

we regulate alcohol production, consumption, distribution, and sale away from Children and most household residential areas. We also stipulate DUI enforcement for alcohol throughout the nation. Therefore, since weed is a controlled substance NOW like alcohol in society then similar controls should be placed - including not having a grow op near a school.

whether you use or not, drink or not - we should not have these activities near children and certainly not near public funded education.

we regulate alcohol production, consumption, distribution, and sale away from Children and most household residential areas. We also stipulate DUI enforcement for alcohol throughout the nation. Therefore, since weed is a controlled substance NOW like alcohol in society then similar controls should be placed - including not having a grow op near a school.

whether you use or not, drink or not - we should not have these activities near children and certainly not near public funded education.

how about not having a non public school near a grow facility.

how about not having a non public school near a grow facility.

Which was there first?

I believe the state of Oklahoma has a hands off policy regarding marijuana. After it was legalized by popular vote, they decided there wasn’t enough specific framework in the law to approve lots of regulation at the beginning. I think they decided to leave it alone for 3 years and then regulate reactively.

By law, dispensaries cannot be within 1,000 feet of a school.

It seems they are more permissible when it comes to grow facilities.

By law, dispensaries cannot be within 1,000 feet of a school.

It seems they are more permissible when it comes to grow facilities.

Which makes sense, because the public can't buy directly from grow facilities.

I was just talking to my wife about this last night. If this were the old Shepherd Mall and this exact thing were being proposed, it would make sense due to the location and connection with the asian community 1.5 miles east of there. but, as others have stated, it just doesn't make sense. I feel like this will do ok for six months after it opens, the newness will die out and the same thing will happen. Others have been saying and I think the same way that this would be a great location for the soccer stadium. It will never happen as they have their sights set around DT, but I wouldnt be opposed to it.

I think many people don't realize there is a growing Asian community south of the river. The city's consultants advised it would be better to keep everything in close proximity so I don't see Crossroads being a contender for the soccer stadium.

Which makes sense, because the public can't buy directly from grow facilities.

Also, because a grow facility is mostly full of immature plants that can't be consumed. Successful grows tend to sell off finished product to dispensaries fairly quickly, so there's not a whole lot of inventory sitting around that someone could get into. And grows have plenty of incentive to keep non-employees out of the facility (like any other business, you don't want random outsiders tampering with your product or taking it without paying for it).

^

Large grow facilities -- this one included -- have a bunch of fully processed weed. This one will have a dry room, cut room, etc. I've been in a few and you'd be surprised by the quantity of finished product -- way more than a dispensary.

Also, tons of cash come in and out of these places. Like most grows, this has a large safe room and cash room.


You can't blame the schools for not wanting this so close.

BTW, the landlord is the new owner from Utah, the same guy that is developing the Asian Plaza. I'm sure he just wants to get paid.


Now that the state is a few years into the cannabis thing, look for legislators to try and start putting much more regulation around a lot of things that were never fully anticipated. I know this is going to be a big push in the near future; lots of people working on new bills.

^^^^

It needs to just be made recreational and done with it. What’s the difference of a kid seeing a dispensary near a school versus driving by one one the way to school?

^^^^

It needs to just be made recreational and done with it. What’s the difference of a kid seeing a dispensary near a school versus driving by one one the way to school?

Access.

Same reason they don't allow liquor stores and full bars near schools.

exactly Pete.

exactly the same reason we don't have distillaries near schools and neighborhoods, same should apply to grow facilities. There's PLENTLY of land in the OKC metro area for existing and new indistrial space to be built for grow facilities.

I can appreciate the adaptive reuse idea for Crossroads but there was a school there first and therefore should have prevented an opening of a grow facility in the first place (common sense). On this one I agree with lawmakers and hope they put in some restrictions; not kill it but regulate/enforce it just in the same way alcohol is.

Based on filed permits, it looks like the supermarket to be on the 2nd level of the old JC Penney building will be R&F Mart.

There is one by the same owner in Salt Lake City and it's kind of like a Costco for Asian products:

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/rfmart2.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/rfmart1.jpg

This is cool but they really need to work on making the area around it more attractive. I wish the south OKC chamber of commerce would lobby for that. All of the business owner should really get together and put together a master plan for the mall.

The whole thing needs to come down. Build a dense-ish mixed-use area centered around the future train station along the commuter rail line.

Master plan this thing.

https://i.gyazo.com/59681d5649af38db24e50dc3770449bd.jpg

Yeah ideally that’s what would happen.

The whole thing needs to come down. Build a dense-ish mixed-use area centered around the future train station along the commuter rail line.

Master plan this thing.

https://i.gyazo.com/59681d5649af38db24e50dc3770449bd.jpg

I think it is more realistic to convert a lot of the unused parking lot space to apartment complexes and smaller commercial units. It would be cool to burn it to the ground and start fresh I don't think we will see that in the next 20 years. The only hope would be a developer like the upcoming OAK development across from Penn Square Mall to take over the property. Even then this would be an even bigger project.

Best we can probably hope for in this location is conversion into something like the Shepherd Center, particularly since it kind of feels like that is what is already happening.

Best we can probably hope for in this location is conversion into something like the Shepherd Center, particularly since it kind of feels like that is what is already happening.
+1

There seems to be a lot of inverters looking at OKC...

I think it is more realistic to convert a lot of the unused parking lot space to apartment complexes and smaller commercial units. It would be cool to burn it to the ground and start fresh I don't think we will see that in the next 20 years. The only hope would be a developer like the upcoming OAK development across from Penn Square Mall to take over the property. Even then this would be an even bigger project.

Good realistic view citywokchinesefood.

We're all rooting for some kind of long term transition for this project that has sit for far too long.

looks like where the old waldens book store use to be in the mall will be a new antique market. kind of surprised thats going inside the mall area.

This property needs someone with a ton of bitcoin cash (CWCF, maybe?). The kind of dry powder required to take down the land, grease all of the right wheels on the south side, bring in high-level New Urbanists, like DPZ, and then execute the vision in a disciplined way. Anything short of that will see the property continue along its current trajectory.