I think it was a Safeway (maybe already Homeland by then) in the mid to late 80's. I remember stopping by there a few times, but don't specifically recall which grocery store. Does anyone know when Brown's moved in?

I drove by Brown's yesterday and did not think it looked too bad. The sign looked new. I did see a board in the front. Is this the broken window previously mentioned? I do not know if there is a backlog at the local glass companies, but there are houses in Nicholls Hills and Quail Creek that still have boards in the windows three months after the hail storm in May. One of my pet peeves are property owners that do not mow their grass after a business leaves the premises. I see that a lot in Oklahoma City.

Like I said in a previous post, if the owners of the Plaza Court do not pay Brown's for letting their customers park there, maybe Brown's should charge them and use the proceeds to spruce the place up. Pody Poe mentioned in his autobiography that the priests at Christ the King Catholic Church complained to him that his customers were parking in their parking lot and wearing the pavement out. Pody gave them $10,000 to repair the lot and they never complained to him again.

Bigray in Ok

Bigray, see my pictures on page 1, the very first post. They have multiple broken glass windows, and the entire back of the building has boarded up windows. They have been like that for probably a decade or more. It wasn't damage from a recent hailstorm, I would give them slack for that and never have made this thread. That's Browns fault if they aren't charging for parking and feel the need to charge Plaza Court owners. Personally, I think they should reach some sort of agreement with MidTown Renaissance Corp. to pay them a monthly fee and then use some of that money for their general maintenance. That's not Plaza Court's fault that Brown's doesn't have the foresight or desire to do so.

metro is right. Brown's is a mess and while I understand that small businesses don't always put appearances first due to cost and other priorities, they could at least clean the place up, a little paint and some effort and it would at least not be an eyesore.

Can we add the bail bonds place with the old cars and various property in the area to the list? I love the white building that the front and roof caved in on 6th that they just hope the trees cover up. Act like you care people, even if you're just here for the money.

If I remember correctly, it was Earl's Grocery or something similar. Brown's was originally on Harvey or Hudson, I believe. This was all about 30 years ago. I, too, drove by today for the first time since I don't know when and it did look better than I remembered it. The faded blue is now black. Looked slick to me for Brown's.

Found an article in the Oklahoman Archives dated 12/17/49. The building was designed by Joseph Boaz. There was an article in the May issue of Progressive Architecture. The building originally housed Clyde's Supermarket. The article goes on the say that the roof is a Quonset and the frontage is almost entirely of glass. The roof is supported by bowstring trusses, leaving the floorspace clear of pillars. The trusses rest on the brick side walls.

Indeed it has sood bones. It could be an amazing part of Midtown in the right hands.

If I remember correctly, it was Earl's Grocery or something similar. Brown's was originally on Harvey or Hudson, I believe. This was all about 30 years ago. I, too, drove by today for the first time since I don't know when and it did look better than I remembered it. The faded blue is now black. Looked slick to me for Brown's.

Did you have your glasses on when driving by? Did you not notice the graffiti and multiple broken windows? What constitutes neglect in your world?

If I remember correctly, it was Earl's Grocery or something similar. Brown's was originally on Harvey or Hudson, I believe. This was all about 30 years ago. I, too, drove by today for the first time since I don't know when and it did look better than I remembered it. The faded blue is now black. Looked slick to me for Brown's.

CLYDE'S, thats it, not Earls. Thanks, that was driving me nuts.

I've stayed away from this because the topic really doesn't excite me all that much ... any more than Browns Bakery itself does. Besides that, anything I'd have to say would be negative, and I'm not generally inclined to knock a neighborhood member of mine, like Browns is (living north of the store on NW 19th). At best, I think that Browns bakery products are average, if that. My wife has purchased some cakes for birthday, etc., parties there that I will just not eat ... and I like cake. White cake always seems to work for Browns, but not the brown varieties. But that's not the point of this thread.

Browns has been pretty crummy looking as a building for as long as I can remember, and I've lived north of that location since 1983 in two different residences, both on NW 19th, as I said. That's 27 years. I've yet to see the bakery invest a nickle in the building's exterior or interior appearance. Their reputation (why it is deserved as a bakery, I don't know) apparently gives them the income they require and the company feels no need to invest in its structure and interior facilities. And I'm not talking about graffiti cleanup -- I'm just talking generally. It's kind of like a residence that needs a lot of work ... particularly noticeable after a resurgence in a neighborhood community -- but one that refuses to paint, mow its lawn until required, etc. It always looks run down and scruffy even if it is a step ahead of code enforcement. I don't see Brown's as a good neighbor in those respects.

It would be thrilling to see Browns have a change of perspective. And whether there is any basis in Steve's tease or not, as I said, Brown's non-maintenance is not anything new, not even close to new. So, the possibility that Browns might be saving its money for a larger investment down the line rings hollow to me ... if that's the case, they've been saving for at least 27 years that I'm aware of and quite likely more than that before I moved into the general neighborhood.

I've said my negative piece and now I'm done.

This is outstanding writing, Doug.

Not to pile on here, but other than the donuts (which my diet no longer allows me to consume), I neither understand the reputation Brown's enjoys. I also have found their customer service to be perfunctory at best.

Well apparently the City of OKC doesn't think there is any violation despite the broken windows, graffiti, and rotted wood/chipping paint is clearly against the stated codes listed on OKC.gov's website. This isn't the first time they have turned a blind eye at obvious violations. I even stated the exact municipal codes I was referring to. I wanted to file a complaint just to see what they said, see response letter below. Stay classy, OKC.

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/BrownsLetter.jpg

I ran into the same thing when I lived in the Regency downtown. I didn't get any results until I photographed the violations and sent a letter with the photos and the municipal codes that were in violation.

Was there a recent tv news story regarding Brown's Bakery and upcoming changes to their building?

broken windows have been repaired, Brown's bakery never looked better!

Oh my! the power of this site :)

I saw the windows the other day, and it looks alright, although I was kind of hoping for a little more. Should we be praising Brown's for finally doing routine maintenance that they've neglected for years while raking in the dough (literally)? That's what I consider replacing broken windows. And I'm not one that has piled onto Brown's in this thread, and I would normally defend them, and I do find their stuff to be very yummy, even though their business model is too one-dimensional IMO and hindered by their crappy store (that makes you want to get out asap). What I do however take issue with is saying, "Well just wait a while, we have something exciting coming up," and for that exciting surprise to be...routine maintenance for a change.

Has anyone else noticed how far down hill Browns has gotten over the last few years? THis place has the potential to be THE place in midtown but its almost as if they just don't care anymore which is sad because they use to have the best donuts, cakes and breads around.

Are you talking about the food or the building?

Yea. I've quit going in there. If they don't bother to even change light bulbs, I can't imagine them taking great care with the food. The place is becoming quite a dump.

Apparently they have just let the building rot in the last two years since metro devoted his life to getting code enforcement to crack down on Brown's. I thought he was successful?

The building, the food, the employee's everything is just bad.

The first time I ever enjoyed a REAL croissant, it came from Brown's Bakery. I had to be downtown for some work-related reason, and after parking my car in the basement of the old Federal Building, I strolled over to Brown's Bakery to grab a morning snack and a cup of coffee while waiting for my appointment with one of the architectual/ADA approval guys in the Murrah Building. Now, I had had "croissants" before, but they were only a pale shadow of the real thing. It was like a little crescent of heaven on a small plate. So I had another. It is a shame that an establishment of this quality has been allowed to move in the direction that it has as everything else in OKC has improved about 1000%. I wonder if someone shouldn't do a serious study about the circumstances and decisions that have lead to this apparent anomoly. I'm not kidding here: How could a place like this that was SO good for so many years "allow itself" to slide so far down the quality scale?

And, please, one word answers like "Panera" . . . "Big Sky" . . . "Etc." don't really address "The Issue". =)

prairie thunder is so much better it is not close

Yup.
Yer rite.
Doh.

I wonder if they are the sort of people that would have become disenchanted with the profile of the new clientele that Midtown's Renaissance has brought. Or maybe they're just getting old and can't do it like they used to.

your mcca "wonderment" is understandable. maybe that "survey" i mentioned could provide a real, rather than conjectural, answer to the question: 1) "how did the shifting demographic of the neighborhood and progress in general affect the baking skills of and associated with this establishment. and why. true or false."

I once dated a gal who was a baker at Brown's. She quit in 1963. Blame me if you want but I believe they've been all downhill since then.

Now that we know who to blame...

Does anyone else think that Brown's Bakery is due for an update?

It would be cool to see it extended right up against the street and have that surface lot in the bottom middle of the picture turned into a small 2-3 level parking garage with a park on the roof.

Does anyone else think that Brown's Bakery is due for an update?

It would be cool to see it extended right up against the street and have that surface lot in the bottom middle of the picture turned into a small 2-3 level parking garage with a park on the roof.
Don't expect any changes at Brown's anytime soon.

Don't expect any changes at Brown's anytime soon.Why is that? Is Brown(or whoever owns it) notorious for not giving a crap or something?

Why is that? Is Brown(or whoever owns it) notorious for not giving a crap or something?

I don't have any inside information but that's basically what I've gathered from previous posts here about them.

why is that? Is brown(or whoever owns it) notorious for not giving a crap or something?


i don't have any inside information but that's basically what i've gathered from previous posts here about them.

this

Sounds like Brown is old school OKC, where mediocrity reigned. Perhaps he should pay attention to what's happening around him and get with the times.

A couple of years ago Michael Brown shared his dream of renovating the building, opening up a coffee shop in the south half that was used for storage. He knew the building's appearance needed improvement. He faced a daunting task of emptying out asbestos from the building, however. Those plans ground to a halt when he was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away in September.

A couple of years ago Michael Brown shared his dream of renovating the building, opening up a coffee shop in the south half that was used for storage. He knew the building's appearance needed improvement. He faced a daunting task of emptying out asbestos from the building, however. Those plans ground to a halt when he was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away in September.

That is very sad. Who owns the business now?

A couple of years ago Michael Brown shared his dream of renovating the building, opening up a coffee shop in the south half that was used for storage. He knew the building's appearance needed improvement. He faced a daunting task of emptying out asbestos from the building, however. Those plans ground to a halt when he was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away in September.

That is terrible news, Steve. I'm so sorry to hear that.

Do you think that will have any significant impact on their future?

Brown's is likely to remain active as a brand and bakery, to be operated (and remodeled) by a well-known and respected local developer.

Brown's is likely to remain active as a brand and bakery, to be operated (and remodeled) by a well-known and respected local developer.

Sounds like you may know something we don't...

Brown's is likely to remain active as a brand and bakery, to be operated (and remodeled) by a well-known and respected local developer.

A special local architect stops there nearly every morning... He's a big deal. Is he involved?

I don't want to represent that I know a lot about it. My info is second-hand, and I don't want to violate confidences. Maybe I've said too much already. Based on what I heard it is going to be in good hands, and that is all I feel comfortable sharing. That said, the person was correct regarding Michael Brown's illness, which was mentioned to me some time ago. None of the changes involved the noted architect, though that doesn't mean he absolutely is not involved. You're right about being him being a loyal, near-daily visitor though.

I just want to throw in my two cents: Michael Brown managed to keep a longtime family business running despite a depressed downtown and neighborhood for many, many years. He and his bakery remained an asset to downtown when most had abandoned it, and while I agree that the place had become dated I don't think he necessarily had tons of financial resources to throw into the place, which I don't think we can fault him for. Not everyone is a millionaire, myself included. I'm glad he stayed here during tougher times, and wish him well on his next journey.

I don't want to represent that I know a lot about it. My info is second-hand, and I don't want to violate confidences. Maybe I've said too much already. Based on what I heard it is going to be in good hands, and that is all I feel comfortable sharing. That said, the person was correct regarding Michael Brown's illness, which was mentioned to me some time ago. None of the changes involved the noted architect, though that doesn't mean he absolutely is not involved. You're right about being him being a loyal, near-daily visitor though.

I just want to throw in my two cents: Michael Brown managed to keep a longtime family business running despite a depressed downtown and neighborhood for many, many years. He and his bakery remained an asset to downtown when most had abandoned it, and while I agree that the place had become dated I don't think he necessarily had tons of financial resources to throw into the place, which I don't think we can fault him for. Not everyone is a millionaire, myself included. I'm glad he stayed here during tougher times, and wish him well on his next journey.

Sometimes people on this board get very harsh and judgmental about people and circumstances which they know nothing of. It is really easy to get disparaged on this site. It seems like it is usually from those who haven't had to own, build or run a business on their own and relied on profit to keep it going. People often assume if you own a business you must have plenty of money. The case you describe is a familiar one to many small business owners. They make money to survive and maybe grow, but have to invest it in survival in the down times. Sprucing up or building a new building to be "cool" isn't always an option. We should be grateful and patient, understanding that they stayed loyal to downtown when it wasn't easy and most left.

Sometimes people on this board get very harsh and judgmental about people and circumstances which they know nothing of. It is really easy to get disparaged on this site. It seems like it is usually from those who haven't had to own, build or run a business on their own and relied on profit to keep it going. People often assume if you own a business you must have plenty of money. The case you describe is a familiar one to many small business owners. They make money to survive and maybe grow, but have to invest it in survival in the down times. Sprucing up or building a new building to be "cool" isn't always an option. We should be grateful and patient, understanding that they stayed loyal to downtown when it wasn't easy and most left.

As a small business and a small personal property owner, I know what your trying to say but don't necessarily agree in principle. Some SMB's choose to make more sacrifices to pass on as "investment" dollars back in the business and most SMB's choose not to. I eat PBJ's and sack lunches most days and have downsized our home so there is cash to re-invest back in my SMB because I know it will pay dividends in the future. Most companies that invest back in themselves communicate the additional value to the consumer, thus they are able to charge a more profitable price for it. It's kind of a catch 22. If you don't invest enough back in the business, don't wonder why your business is going downhill over time, but at the same time, one might not have "free" cash to invest, so one must get creative and either increase revenue or decrease expenses, or both.

You can get a .75 cent donut at Browns or a $3.50 cent donut or Joenut at Kitchen 324. One brand chose to invest more in themselves vs. the other. Sure GEG has more capital at this point in time for their newest concept, but they started at zero and chose early on to reinvest back in the business.

As a small business and a small personal property owner, I know what your trying to say but don't necessarily agree in principle. Some SMB's choose to make more sacrifices to pass on as "investment" dollars back in the business and most SMB's choose not to. I eat PBJ's and sack lunches most days and have downsized our home so there is cash to re-invest back in my SMB because I know it will pay dividends in the future. Most companies that invest back in themselves communicate the additional value to the consumer, thus they are able to charge a more profitable price for it. It's kind of a catch 22. If you don't invest enough back in the business, don't wonder why your business is going downhill over time, but at the same time, one might not have "free" cash to invest, so one must get creative and either increase revenue or decrease expenses, or both.

You can get a .75 cent donut at Browns or a $3.50 cent donut or Joenut at Kitchen 324. One brand chose to invest more in themselves vs. the other. Sure GEG has more capital at this point in time for their newest concept, but they started at zero and chose early on to reinvest back in the business.

Wahoo! Cameo appearance!

I just think they should be given some credit for sticking out some rough times in downtown OKC. I expect they did all those PBJ dinners to be able to survive. (Okay, maybe donuts, peanut butter and jelly)

mmmm ... PB and Jelly doughnut .....

Sometimes people on this board get very harsh and judgmental about people and circumstances which they know nothing of. It is really easy to get disparaged on this site. It seems like it is usually from those who haven't had to own, build or run a business on their own and relied on profit to keep it going. People often assume if you own a business you must have plenty of money. The case you describe is a familiar one to many small business owners. They make money to survive and maybe grow, but have to invest it in survival in the down times. Sprucing up or building a new building to be "cool" isn't always an option. We should be grateful and patient, understanding that they stayed loyal to downtown when it wasn't easy and most left.

True. And you yourself have been guilty of making harsh and judgmental comments at times as well.

What an opportunity for Brown's bakery with all that is going on around them they have the chance of a lifetime to turn this place into a real gem for downtown/midtown residents and workers. I hope that either they or someone else figures this out very soon. it is in real need of repair and a good cleaning from top to bottom. They still make some of the best goodies around it's time to take it to the next level.

Interesting comments in this thread. I live in Kansas city but still have a house in Mesta Park and in SOSA. I plan on returning when I retire(5 years or so). I frequented Browns the whole time I lived in OKC and really liked it(especially their King Cakes for Mardi Gras). Their building looks like it was originally a 1960's Safeway Supermarket and I think it would be great if it could be restored to that period finish and purpose again(A market is needed in the area as everyone knows). Of course I would like to see Browns relocated nearby in another more appropriate building.

Just a pipe dream......................

I recently ran into the owners sister and she said they're in the midst of a "remodel" and had the entire staff quit one day out of the blue, so now their family is working with some missionaries, and they seem to be doing a good job. She told me she looked at yelp and say the bad reviews and wants to do something about it.

I informed her about Steve Lackmeyer's article about her uncles death and she was very interested about it. An interview would be awesome if it could be put together to find out the future of Brown's.

I recently ran into the owners sister and she said they're in the midst of a "remodel" and had the entire staff quit one day out of the blue, so now their family is working with some missionaries, and they seem to be doing a good job. She told me she looked at yelp and say the bad reviews and wants to do something about it.

I informed her about Steve Lackmeyer's article about her uncles death and she was very interested about it. An interview would be awesome if it could be put together to find out the future of Brown's.

They needed all of those people to quit they were absolutely terrible and rude. The guy that does all the baking was about the only one that was left.. They still have some of the best goodies in the city, I hope they get their act together

They needed all of those people to quit they were absolutely terrible and rude. The guy that does all the baking was about the only one that was left.. They still have some of the best goodies in the city, I hope they get their act together

The girls at the front counter were always rude - I no longer feel like I'm a bother when I stop in on Saturday mornings. It's a welcome change.

Interesting. I might have to give them another shot.

My office is literally a stone's throw away from Brown's, but I probably have only been in there once or twice in the last couple of years. I used to go quite often, but I started to notice the lighting in the building getting darker and darker...the light bulbs were going out slowly and weren't being replaced! If they couldn't be bothered to at least keeps the lights on, I couldn't imagine the corners being cut in the kitchen! So I stopped going.


The girls at the front counter were always rude - I no longer feel like I'm a bother when I stop in on Saturday mornings. It's a welcome change.

Based on the few times I have been back since the light bulb incident, I completely agree. I'm glad it has changed. I miss the sausage rolls...

I've noticed some small changes, as well, but have to disagree they have some of the best goodies in the city. I used to pop by from time to time on the way back from a lunch to grab a cookie or two. Often, they're made in batches several days in advance, and one too many times I've gone in and found the product stale, tasteless and just blah.

It's a great space with a lot of potential. I'd love to see someone put in a proper coffee shop/cafe/bakery in there to really get the place going. It just doesn't seem like the family has much impetus to do that. Sadly, I believe they've experienced several deaths over the past 2-3 years.

I've noticed some small changes, as well, but have to disagree they have some of the best goodies in the city. I used to pop by from time to time on the way back from a lunch to grab a cookie or two. Often, they're made in batches several days in advance, and one too many times I've gone in and found the product stale, tasteless and just blah.

It's a great space with a lot of potential. I'd love to see someone put in a proper coffee shop/cafe/bakery in there to really get the place going. It just doesn't seem like the family has much impetus to do that. Sadly, I believe they've experienced several deaths over the past 2-3 years.

They have. My wife stopped in a couple weeks ago and talked with the operators for a bit while our daughter ate her doughnut. She commented on how good the paint looked, and he said "just wait, this is just the beginning."

The stuff we get still tastes great, but we generally stick to doughnuts and sausage rolls.

OMG Browns sausage rolls...

They needed all of those people to quit they were absolutely terrible and rude. The guy that does all the baking was about the only one that was left.. They still have some of the best goodies in the city, I hope they get their act togetherI agree

tried to go by there this morning but the parking lot was closed off. Is it closing? or they taking a break b/c of all the construction around the location?

My wife picked up something yesterday morning from Brown's. Not sure why they were closed when you were there.

Hoping they weather the streetcar construction. The building of the traffic circle a few years ago hit them very hard at the time.