Steve's retrospective on the development of the Plaza District.
http://m.newsok.com/article/5530578

When in conversations about the Plaza's growth, I notice the lack of mention of Warpaint Clothing. My memory could be wrong, but this addition played a major role in bringing attention to the district among the young adult, hipster crowd. Most of whom kept Saints afloat in the early days. I remember chatting with the owners about their excitement of the new bar opening across the street during one of their "hang outs" in and outside of their storefront with upwards of 70 people there. The rest of the block was empty. Their store was actually successful, but the co-owners had a falling out and split ways.

Their store was actually successful, but the co-owners had a falling out and split ways.

What became of Warpaint Clothing?

What became of Warpaint Clothing?

They found additional success after landing a deal with Urban Outfitters to carry their line in all of their stores. Shortly after the two owners had a falling out with the business minded one splitting to Austin to start a new company called Lasting Culture while the other attempted to run Warpaint solo. It didn't work out and warpaint dissolved. To those who don't remember, Warpaint was the local t-shirt company who garnered national attention for their "Thanks, Seattle" Thunder shirt.

Agree about their impact. I remember the main draw for Live on the Plazas around 2010 or 2011 being whatever Warpaint was doing.

They found additional success after landing a deal with Urban Outfitters to carry their line in all of their stores. Shortly after the two owners had a falling out with the business minded one splitting to Austin to start a new company called Lasting Culture while the other attempted to run Warpaint solo. It didn't work out and warpaint dissolved. To those who don't remember, Warpaint was the local t-shirt company who garnered national attention for their "Thanks, Seattle" Thunder shirt.

I was wondering what happened to them(Warpaint Clothing). i loved their t-shirt designs. Thanks for the info.

They aren't going into the Plaza and their new location will be in addition to -- as opposed to instead of -- their existing spot on Classen.

I'll post about this in a bit and move all the related discussion there.

Any info on this new concept from the folks at the Mule?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSjxxJAj4RE/?taken-by=plazadistrict
https://www.instagram.com/thepressokc/

Any info on this new concept from the folks at the Mule?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSjxxJAj4RE/?taken-by=plazadistrict
https://www.instagram.com/thepressokc/

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=42936

^^^ Rule #1 for opening a hipster bar is the theme of the bar has to be centered around the defunct business that once existed in its location.

^^^ Rule #1 for opening a hipster bar is the theme of the bar has to be centered around the defunct business that once existed in its location.

Paying homage to what was there, at least in this case, doesn't seem like a bad idea.

Thanks, Pete

Paying homage to what was there, at least in this case, doesn't seem like a bad idea.

I don't disagree. I just find this to be an interesting current trend.

I forget the name of it, or if there was a thread, but my bus, which goes through the plaza district, had to divert this morning, because they were putting in the container for the 16th/Blackwelder SW Corner.

I forget the name of it, or if there was a thread, but my bus, which goes through the plaza district, had to divert this morning, because they were putting in the container for the 16th/Blackwelder SW Corner.

Sasquatch Shaved Ice.

https://www.facebook.com/sasquatchOKC/

Line was about 20 deep this evening around 6, no idea how long its been open.

Line was about 20 deep this evening around 6, no idea how long its been open.

They had a launch party last night.

I'll have to try this angle again a little closer to 16th and on a clearer day:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/plaza070317.jpg

More housing, restaurants and infill for the Plaza District (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=358-More-housing-restaurants-and-infill-for-the-Plaza-District)

The Plaza District continues to boom, with scores of new projects planned or underway in the immediate area including a new surge in housing.

Watch our news partner KFOR-TV tonight 9/6/17 at 6PM for on-camera interviews and more.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/plaza090517b.jpg


Overview


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/plaza090517over.jpg

Restaurants
Aurora, Pritchard Wine Bar and Easy E have all recently opened in the area, adding to an already robust restaurant and bar scene.

Aurora features breakfast and lunch in a quaint setting, with a backyard patio and small eating area outside along 16th. Pritchard brings a new level of sophistication to the Plaza, with small plates, wine and craft cocktails. Easy E is an extension of the ultra-popular Empire Slice House, handling all carryout orders as well as slices and beer with a small amount of seating inside and out.

The Press, form the proprietors of The Mule and Anchor Down, will be the most ambitious venture yet in the Plaza, taking the old Northside Printing facility and fully renovating with a dining area, separate bar and a large covered outdoor patio. The Press will open later this year and offer Southwest comfort food with an emphasis on fresh ingredients.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/pritchard090517.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/goro090517.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/empire090517.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aurora090517.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/press090517.jpg
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/press090517b.jpg
A
Housing
Housing prices and rents continue to rise in the area, as the historic charm and walkable amenities serve as strong draws.

Ben Sellers recently completed 14 apartments and 3,000 square feet of retail at the Plaza Lofts on 16th & McKinley, with plans for 8 more units at 15th & McKinley. Sellers and his partners at the Pivot are in the process of renovating two small apartment buildings at 19th and 20th and Blackwelder, and plan an ambitious 48-unit apartment and commercial project which will serve as a gateway to the district at 16th and Classen. Jeff Johnson is also a partner on the Blackwelder properties.

Just behind the Velvet Monkey along Blackwelder are two long-vacant historic structures being fully renovated into apartments.

At 15th and Blackwelder and just south of The Mule, plans have been filed to build an apartment complex on land currently used as a community garden.

The Klein is a 6-unit townhouse / condominium project nearing completion at 1140 NW 13th.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/16mckinley090517.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/15mck2.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/16classen.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/15thblackwelder2.jpg
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/15thblackwelder.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/19blackwelder.jpg
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/20blackwelder.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/klein090517.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/17black090517.jpg


Office & Retail
Plaza pioneer Jeff Struble is planning a 4,800 square foot office building at 1804 NW 16th, just to the east of Chiltepes restaurant.

At 1630 N. Blackwelder, the buildings that house Goro Ramen and The Mule have been fully renovated with office space complimenting the two restaurants.

Across the street at 1829 NW 16th, a plan has recently been approved to replace a small duplex with a 2-story commercial project with a patio facing the street.

And William Shdeed has recently completely restored a small brick building at 1708 N. Gatewood which is now home to the Rough Hand Collective, offering hand-made leather items and other goods.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1804090517.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1629090517.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/goro090517b.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1708090517.jpg

More housing, restaurants and infill for the Plaza District (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=358-More-housing-restaurants-and-infill-for-the-Plaza-District)

The Plaza District continues to boom, with scores of new projects planned or underway in the immediate area including a new surge in housing.

Watch our news partner KFOR-TV tonight 9/6/17 at 6PM for on-camera interviews and more.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/plaza090517c.jpg


Overview


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/plaza090517over.jpg

Restaurants
Aurora, Pritchard Wine Bar and Easy E have all recently opened in the area, adding to an already robust restaurant and bar scene.

Aurora features breakfast and lunch in a quaint setting, with a backyard patio and small eating area outside along 16th. Pritchard brings a new level of sophistication to the Plaza, with small plates, wine and craft cocktails. Easy E is an extension of the ultra-popular Empire Slice House, handling all carryout orders as well as slices and beer with a small amount of seating inside and out.

The Press, form the proprietors of The Mule and Anchor Down, will be the most ambitious venture yet in the Plaza, taking the old Northside Printing facility and fully renovating with a dining area, separate bar and a large covered outdoor patio. The Press will open later this year and offer Southwest comfort food with an emphasis on fresh ingredients.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/pritchard090517.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/goro090517.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/empire090517.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/aurora090517.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/press090517.jpg
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/press090517b.jpg

Housing
Housing prices and rents continue to rise in the area, as the historic charm and walkable amenities serve as strong draws.

Ben Sellers recently completed 14 apartments and 3,000 square feet of retail at the Plaza Lofts on 16th & McKinley, with plans for 8 more units at 15th & McKinley. Sellers and his partners at the Pivot are in the process of renovating two small apartment buildings at 19th and 20th and Blackwelder, and plan an ambitious 48-unit apartment and commercial project which will serve as a gateway to the district at 16th and Classen. Jeff Johnson is also a partner on the Blackwelder properties.

Just behind the Velvet Monkey along Blackwelder are two long-vacant historic structures being fully renovated into apartments.

At 15th and Blackwelder and just south of The Mule, plans have been filed to build an apartment complex on land currently used as a community garden.

The Klein is a 6-unit townhouse / condominium project nearing completion at 1140 NW 13th.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/16mckinley090517.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/15mck2.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/16classen.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/15thblackwelder2.jpg
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/15thblackwelder.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/19blackwelder.jpg
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/20blackwelder.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/klein090517.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/17black090517.jpg


Office & Retail
Plaza pioneer Jeff Struble is planning a 4,800 square foot office building at 1804 NW 16th, just to the east of Chiltepes restaurant.

At 1630 N. Blackwelder, the buildings that house Goro Ramen and The Mule have been fully renovated with office space complimenting the two restaurants.

Across the street at 1829 NW 16th, a plan has recently been approved to replace a small duplex with a 2-story commercial project with a patio facing the street.

And William Shdeed has recently completely restored a small brick building at 1708 N. Gatewood which is now home to the Rough Hand Collective, offering hand-made leather items and other goods.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1804090517.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1629090517.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/goro090517b.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1708090517.jpg

I know everyone has said it a ton, but your purchase of a drone has been great for this site.

http://kfor.com/2017/09/06/plaza-district-continues-to-grow-with-new-restaurants-retail-spaces/

You can see the KFOR on-air report at that link.

http://kfor.com/2017/09/06/plaza-district-continues-to-grow-with-new-restaurants-retail-spaces/

You can see the KFOR on-air report at that link.

Really cool to see your reporting get out to a larger audience. Great job, Pete!

^

Thanks!

KFOR has been great to work with.

^

Thanks!

KFOR has been great to work with.

In my opinion, you are doing a good job.

I'm curious how Pritchard is doing.... It is one of my favorite restaurants in OKC, but the last few times I've been (including last Friday during their monthly Plaza gathering) I've been one of 3-4 tables. The food and drinks are some of the best in the city, but for whatever reason it seems like the hype has died down. Their service is great and I've never had an issue with anything, so I'm curious if anyone has had any issues.

I'm curious how Pritchard is doing.... It is one of my favorite restaurants in OKC, but the last few times I've been (including last Friday during their monthly Plaza gathering) I've been one of 3-4 tables. The food and drinks are some of the best in the city, but for whatever reason it seems like the hype has died down. Their service is great and I've never had an issue with anything, so I'm curious if anyone has had any issues.
I've always found it to be a little more crowded during the week than weekends. Not really a Friday night drinking place, great for happy hour though. That's not to say I haven't seen it slammed on fridays I have but I think it gets better vibes during the week.

I'm curious how Pritchard is doing.... It is one of my favorite restaurants in OKC, but the last few times I've been (including last Friday during their monthly Plaza gathering) I've been one of 3-4 tables. The food and drinks are some of the best in the city, but for whatever reason it seems like the hype has died down. Their service is great and I've never had an issue with anything, so I'm curious if anyone has had any issues. Ate there a few weeks ago and thought the same thing. Food and service were spectacular.

https://twitter.com/aurora_okc/status/908449683504320512

Kasum is a big loss. It was a great little gallery with a broad reach. Customers from all over. The city doesn't have enough of these galleries with this quality.

http://newsok.com/okc-central-chat-transcript-september-29-2017/article/5566018

A 110-spot parking lot is coming to the Plaza District
**Puts on Flameproof Suit**
:sofa:

http://newsok.com/okc-central-chat-transcript-september-29-2017/article/5566018

A 110-spot parking lot is coming to the Plaza District
**Puts on Flameproof Suit**
:sofa:

That is where this housing project was to go; directly south of The Mule:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/15thblackwelder2.jpg

*thumbs down*

I imagine it will be a pay-to-park lot?

"...proceeding with building a larger, 110-space parking on the site after deciding the demand for parking was greater than for housing in the area..."

That says something, eh? It'll always be a chicken and egg/Catch-22 situation. Build a place people want to be, and they'll live there if they can, or drive when they want. Does not having parking right now actually limit people going down there, yes, somewhat. Will building parking help - no, because more people will just try to come. Parking, just like roadway widening, suffers from induced demand.

ULI will tell you parking is essential for a thriving retail area. It just needs to be done smartly.

"...proceeding with building a larger, 110-space parking on the site after deciding the demand for parking was greater than for housing in the area..."

That says something, eh? It'll always be a chicken and egg/Catch-22 situation. Build a place people want to be, and they'll live there if they can, or drive when they want. Does not having parking right now actually limit people going down there, yes, somewhat. Will building parking help - no, because more people will just try to come. Parking, just like roadway widening, suffers from induced demand.

So it seems like extending the streetcar to this area should be the preferred option, no?

Sure but I don't see a serious conversation being had about that until after 2020. Serious meaning between the parties that can actually make it happen.

So it seems like extending the streetcar to this area should be the preferred option, no?

The streetcar would not eliminate the parking necessary for a healthy retail area. It would certainly influence the amount needed, but not eliminate a current and ongoing need. It just needs to be done in an urban friendly way.... placement, security, visibility, aesthetics.

Seems in Dallas and Denver, people just park on other side streets around similar urban retail districts. People around there tolerate it as a part of living near entertainment.

with Plaza festival this past weekend all side streets were very congested getting through there. we parked at a friends house and walked over. probably first time I had seen people parking on 16th westbound east of the plaza.

with Plaza festival this past weekend all side streets were very congested getting through there. we parked at a friends house and walked over. probably first time I had seen people parking on 16th westbound east of the plaza.

I attend St. Francis which is close by... Sunday the side streets around it were impassible. Major traffic problems with so much onstreet parking creating only 1 lane for driving which in turn created numerous stale-mates.

Just wait until the St Francis addition/renovation construction starts...

Seems in Dallas and Denver, people just park on other side streets around similar urban retail districts. People around there tolerate it as a part of living near entertainment.

Yup, Colfax here in Denver and Oaklawn in Dallas come to mind, although much more fully realized and established than the Plaza for sure.

https://1700nwplaza.blogspot.com/

https://1700nwplaza.blogspot.com/

I liked Stanley. I used to take my car there for maintenance when I lived around the corner. However, that location just became too valuable.

Both Collected Thread and Tree and Leaf announced they are closing their retail shops today. Given they are in the same building, I wonder if an announcement of something new/big going in there is imminent?

Both Collected Thread and Tree and Leaf announced they are closing their retail shops today.

Wow. I hope both owners did it on their terms as they were both pioneers before the Plaza District is what it is today.

Wow. I hope both owners did it on their terms as they were both pioneers before the Plaza District is what it is today.

Read more here: http://www.treeandleafclothing.com/blog//the-end-is-near-for-this-chapter

Sounds like he never made much money off the store and now increasing overhead costs (most likely the rent) are increasing too much for him to stay.

Collected Thread suffered from stale inventory. They are still selling most of the same items they sold when I first shopped there in 2011. I haven't bought anything there in a long time, because I already own everything from there I want. It's a nice store, but it's run more like a tourist shop than retail catering to locals. Plenty Mercantile and Shop Good are aimed at the same demographic, and do a much better job.

Read more here: http://www.treeandleafclothing.com/blog//the-end-is-near-for-this-chapter

Sounds like he never made much money off the store and now increasing overhead costs (most likely the rent) are increasing too much for him to stay.
This is essentially correct. The success of restaurants and bars in the area is driving rents, and independent retail is basically a labor of love and lives in a small margin if even profitable in the first place. Also, usually the only way for them to be profitable is to be primarily staffed by an owner/operator, which can be exhausting in the long term. This is the typical life cycle of most gentrifying urban areas, unfortunately.

These retailers - along with DNA, Bad Granny’s and a few others which no longer exist - were game-changing pioneers in Plaza, and the district owes them a huge debt of gratitude.

I agree, this is the cost of gentrification.

I agree, this is the cost of gentrification.

Yes and without gentrification, the Plaza District would still be a run down eyesore devoid of life like it was in 2007. Losing some of the pioneering retailers sucks but you can't have your cake and eat it too.

This is essentially correct. The success of restaurants and bars in the area is driving rents, and independent retail is basically a labor of love and lives in a small margin if even profitable in the first place. Also, usually the only way for them to be profitable is to be primarily staffed by an owner/operator, which can be exhausting in the long term. This is the typical life cycle of most gentrifying urban areas, unfortunately.

These retailers - along with DNA, Bad Granny’s and a few others which no longer exist - were game-changing pioneers in Plaza, and the district owes them a huge debt of gratitude.

Agreed. Do you think there is a chance of a national brand going into the Plaza district? For example, Whole Foods Market 365, Chipotle, Starbucks, Dominos, Urban Outfitters, etc. (using these as examples, not as places that I want or think could/would actually open in the Plaza district). Would almost seem to be the next step - but this could also be said for Midtown, Automobile Alley, and Deep Deuce, which may actually be even better areas for national brands that often operate in urban/mixed use areas.

Using Tulsa as an example, I was somewhat surprised to see that Cherry Street has a Chipotle, Q'Doba, Chimi's, and Panera Bread, among others.

While I'm definitely not trying to suggest that having national brands in a gentrifying area is a good thing, in my experience they often seem to coincide with larger scale developments and I am a bit surprised that our primary urban/mixed use districts (not counting Bricktown in this, which of course does have a number of national brands) seem to be relatively lacking.

You must have missed the announcement! http://www.plazadistrict.org/news/2017/4/1/hot-topic-opening-location-in-the-plaza-district-this-summer

You must have missed the announcement! http://www.plazadistrict.org/news/2017/4/1/hot-topic-opening-location-in-the-plaza-district-this-summer

^

Haha. Definitely a brand I am glad is not in the Plaza District! And while I think there are some brands that would be a good fit I am not surprised that the Plaza District, as a whole, would be resistant to such a development, but as they say, money talks . . . .

^

Haha. Definitely a brand I am glad is not in the Plaza District! And while I think there are some brands that would be a good fit I am not surprised that the Plaza District, as a whole, would be resistant to such a development, but as they say, money talks . . . .

It was an April Fool's Day joke....

I agree though. I don't think the Plaza is a place for national brands but I wish more of them would consider downtown, perhaps in Midtown.

I agree that national brands have a place in most districts. For example, I've always hoped a few national brands could take up some of the spaces on Norman's Main Street to bring a different crowd to that district. Bricktown, Midtown, and Automobile Alley are good candidates for some national brands too. However, with such limited space and such a local vibe, I'd actually rather see the Plaza District stay as local as possible. Of course, there may be a regional or national brand that could be a good fit, but I hope places like Chipotle, Starbucks, and the like don't go in. I like thinking of the Plaza District as a smaller version of Deep Ellum in Dallas (without the dedicated bars) and you won't find national brands there except for an appropriate, urban 7/11.

I agree that national brands have a place in most districts. For example, I've always hoped a few national brands could take up some of the spaces on Norman's Main Street to bring a different crowd to that district. Bricktown, Midtown, and Automobile Alley are good candidates for some national brands too. However, with such limited space and such a local vibe, I'd actually rather see the Plaza District stay as local as possible. Of course, there may be a regional or national brand that could be a good fit, but I hope places like Chipotle, Starbucks, and the like don't go in. I like thinking of the Plaza District as a smaller version of Deep Ellum in Dallas (without the dedicated bars) and you won't find national brands there except for an appropriate, urban 7/11.

I tend to agree with two exceptions. I think it would be cool and potentially successful to have a specialty clothier with a bit of an edge (more Rag & Bone, less Hot Topic) or a small but high profile restaurant (I have hope that one day Danny Bowien will open a restaurant in OKC - seems unlikely given every time I hear him talk on TV about his childhood in Moore he doesn't sound overly enthralled with Oklahoma, but a guy can dream). I realize these are very "pie in the sky" options but I think these types of brands would work really well in the Plaza District, if OKC could ever get them to come in the first place....

I would LOVE for a Native Roots style grocery store to open up in the Plaza.