They announced on Facebook that they are closing until 9/9 for repairs.

A car drove through their storefront.


The still have broken windows on the south end as well as grafiti. Been there for years.

They announced on Facebook that they are closing until 9/9 for repairs.

A car drove through their storefront.


The still have broken windows on the south end as well as grafiti. Been there for years.

Drunk driver or robbery?
this happened to stella nova on western a few months back as well weird

Drunk driver or robbery?
this happened to stella nova on western a few months back as well weird

Someone just hit the accelerator instead of the brake when pulling into a space in front of the building.


Growing up, my family owned a home that backed up to NW 63rd. We had at least 3 cars plow through our yard; 2 went into our swimming pool.

The Brown's Bakery building and land is up for sale for $3.5 million.

You have to think the Midtown Renaissance guys would be all over this, as they own everything else in the area. Probably trying to get them down on price.

The Brown's Bakery building and land is up for sale for $3.5 million.

You have to think the Midtown Renaissance guys would be all over this, as they own everything else in the area. Probably trying to get them down on price.

that would be great news ..

Wait, have they closed?

Wait, have they closed?

I don't believe they've closed.

Good for them. A multi-generational, family business. Always nice to me, and good neighbors in the 1990s when I lived a block from them.

They were on 13th and N. Robinson and then moved to where they are now. They had been at 13th & Robinson for decades IIRC, and then expanded into Edmond before the bust in the early 1980s. The Edmond expansion included a small shopping center the new location was in. The bust forced them into bankruptcy, and they lost the Edmond property as well as 13th & Robinson. They soldiered on as tenants until Bob Moore bought and tore down the building around 1994. When they then moved into the former Humpty-Dumpty and TG&Y building at 10th & Walker, it was both good fortune for them and reflected a commitment to that sketchy part of town.

Clearly, they were successful enough to buy it. But they also suffered the death of family members young and old between now and then. I think they are on the 5th generation of Brown's working there.

Has the bakery closed?

I've not been there in several years but I know Clarity has/had been selling their donuts.

Didn't pay any attention if what was in Clarity's display the other day was still Brown's.

This is actually two separate parcels. So the total asking is $4.45MM.

I looked it up, and they purchased the property in 1997 for about $166K. Good for them indeed.

I'm quite sure they are operating; probably just looking to cash out and retire.

Everything in green is owned by Midtown Renaissance:

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/midtown091422aa.jpg

I'm quite sure they are operating; probably just looking to cash out and retire.



Walked down to Clarity this morning and they still had apple sauce and blueberry donuts from Brown's. So I can confirm they are still operating.

In hindsight I probably should have grabbed one since I may not have the chance to much longer.

Glad they're cashing out in a good way. Bummer that there's not a bakery around that remotely compares.

^

What about Harvey Bakery?

Also, Momocha is in Plaza Court.

^

What about Harvey Bakery?

Also, Momocha is in Plaza Court.

Well that depends on how you want to compare... No one else on the planet makes apple sauce or blueberry cake donuts as amazing as Brown's.... I'll fight you about it! ;)

[QUOTE=Dob Hooligan;1213991hey soldiered on as tenants until Bob Moore bought and tore down the building around 1994. When they then moved into the former Humpty-Dumpty and TG&Y building at 10th & Walker[/QUOTE]

wasnt it a homeland in the 90's before brown's moved there?

^

What about Harvey Bakery?

Also, Momocha is in Plaza Court.

Man, it took me way too long to realize this post was about the rundown bakery by McNellies instead of the beautiful Harvey Bakery on 13th and was wondering why people weren't freaking out haha

I went by today and Brown's is definitely still operating.

^

What about Harvey Bakery?

Also, Momocha is in Plaza Court.

I'll be honest, I office about 4 blocks from the Harvey Bakery, but it looks like enough of a chore to park and get inside that Brown's was always the more attractive venue. And it must be a great place. It has been super busy since it opened. The parking lot is usually full and folks are usually parking on the far side of 14th street. From their menu at least, it doesn't look like donuts are served.

And as far as Momocha, I'm not paying $3-fitty a donut. That'll buy you a bear claw at Brown's. And $34/dozen compared to $15 at Brown's? $10/dozen at Dunk'n. I know they gotta pay the rent, but those must be some magical donuts to go for twice or 3.5x the going local price.

wasnt it a homeland in the 90's before brown's moved there?

I said that because my parents told me that when they lived in the area around 1950, the building housed a new Humpty-Dumpty in the north side and (IIRC) a TG&Y in the south.

I'll be honest, I office about 4 blocks from the Harvey Bakery, but it looks like enough of a chore to park and get inside that Brown's was always the more attractive venue. And it must be a great place. It has been super busy since it opened. The parking lot is usually full and folks are usually parking on the far side of 14th street. From their menu at least, it doesn't look like donuts are served.

And as far as Momocha, I'm not paying $3-fitty a donut. That'll buy you a bear claw at Brown's. And $34/dozen compared to $15 at Brown's? $10/dozen at Dunk'n. I know they gotta pay the rent, but those must be some magical donuts to go for twice or 3.5x the going local price.

Wait, so you are saying you've never exerted the effort (4 blocks!) to visit harvey bakery ?

I get it! First time I stopped by on the weekend in gym shorts and whatnot,wearing a mask. For a takeout order - and felt totally out of place...

Fast forward a number of months, and I discovered their online takeout ordering system works like a well oiled machine! Try it sometime, they have a takeout window on the Harvey side, no need to go inside and pretend to be a fancy ass!

https://www.toasttab.com/harvey-bakery-kitchen-okc/v3

Back on topic, interested to see what becomes of the Brown's property...any predictions?

And as far as Momocha, I'm not paying $3-fitty a donut. That'll buy you a bear claw at Brown's. And $34/dozen compared to $15 at Brown's? $10/dozen at Dunk'n. I know they gotta pay the rent, but those must be some magical donuts to go for twice or 3.5x the going local price.

They are mochi donuts which are richer and completely different. And they are doing great business.

But yes, Brown's is cheap. They are also only open to 11AM most days and 1PM others.

I recall the old school, Geronimo's on MLK. Those were good eats!

I'll be honest, I office about 4 blocks from the Harvey Bakery, but it looks like enough of a chore to park and get inside that Brown's was always the more attractive venue. And it must be a great place. It has been super busy since it opened. The parking lot is usually full and folks are usually parking on the far side of 14th street. From their menu at least, it doesn't look like donuts are served.

Have you tried just walking the four blocks? Parking hassle solved.

Have you tried just walking the four blocks? Parking hassle solved.
Personally I would walk and I agree it doesn’t seem like a big deal but there should be ample parking for those who need/want to drive. So telling someone to walk is a sorry excuse to justify saying there isn’t a parking issue.

Have you tried just walking the four blocks? Parking hassle solved.

Walking 8 blocks round trip in the summer heat is not conducive to meeting clients or going to court. Mid is an attorney and doesn't want to look or smell like he is coming from the gym, imo.

I so miss the Saturday OBS rides from Will Rogers to Browns.

Walking 8 blocks round trip in the summer heat is not conducive to meeting clients or going to court. Mid is an attorney and doesn't want to look or smell like he is coming from the gym, imo.

Bingo. While some of y'all can wear those gym shorts, making that walk in a wool suit or even a summer weight suit in 100 degree weather is not ideal. It must be a good place as it is always full of people. At all hours.

Regarding the Brown's Bakery building -- when it was built in the late 1940s as Clyde's Supermarket the building was innovative enough to be featured in Progressive Architecture magazine. There's a nice write-up about the building's history and its architect, Joseph N. Boaz, on the OKCMod blog: https://okcmod.com/2015/10/a-visit-to-clydes-okcs-first-supermarket/. It'd be wonderful to someday see all those covered-up windows restored.

^

So interesting!

Thanks for sharing.

^

So interesting!

Thanks for sharing.
That is very interesting and previous to read the post I wanted this lot torn down and redeveloped but now I hope the preserve that building and as the other poster said the building restored to the former glory. I hope more people learn about or I fear it won’t be long for this world.

I really hope Midtown Renaissance buys it because they have a great track record with restoration.

The original building could be redeveloped then get rid of the junky stuff to the south and be able to build something new.

I really hope Midtown Renaissance buys it because they have a great track record with restoration.

The original building could be redeveloped then get rid of the junky stuff to the south and be able to build something new.
MR is owned by the Bob Howard group, right? They seem to be on part with what George Kaiser does for Tulsa. We’re lucky to have them.

The issue of Progressive Architecture which featured Clyde's is online (with much clearer photos) at https://usmodernist.org/PA/PA-1949-05.pdf. The article starts on p.70. (And fair warning -- if you like modern architecture, you'll lose countless hours scrolling through PA's back issues: https://usmodernist.org/index-pa.htm. :) )

17661

WOW! That would be awesome if Whole Foods bought that and turned it into a grocery store. What an amazing building.

WOW! That would be awesome if Whole Foods bought that and turned it into a grocery store. What an amazing building.

Or even Sprouts.

Or even Sprouts.
Sprouts would be amazing. I’ve already emailed them and Amazon about this place with photos posted by the other poster.

The issue of Progressive Architecture which featured Clyde's is online (with much clearer photos) at https://usmodernist.org/PA/PA-1949-05.pdf. The article starts on p.70. (And fair warning -- if you like modern architecture, you'll lose countless hours scrolling through PA's back issues: https://usmodernist.org/index-pa.htm. :) )

17661

First off, the last thing I needed to see was this link... Now I will never get away from the computer screen!!

Second, I like Brown's, but the current shape of this building is so different than what those photos show Clyde's. I would love to see a Sprouts or Amazon type place here. Though it may be too close to the Homeland on Classen for any company to see the profitability of this location. Though a Trader Joe's or Sprout would kill it here with Mesta Park just to the north.

Keep in mind that the old grocery building is only 5,600 SF which is far too small for any type of modern grocery store. A typical Whole Foods is almost 40,000 SF; even Sprouts is close to 30,000 SF. Some Trader Joe's are below 10K SF but most are closer to 15K.

At their asking price of $2.5MM for only .37 acres, I'm not sure there will be any buyers.

Adding the .32 acres to the south will cost another $1.95MM.

Hopefully this isn't just a vacant building "for sale" for the next decade.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/browns092522a.jpg

There is a help wantd sign on the door, so I don't think they plan on closing anytime soon. This looks more like a situation where they see some high amounts being paid and don't necessarily want to miss out on that.

They are asking nearly $4.5 million for property they bought in 1997 for $167,000.

Good for them if they get anywhere near that.

looks like a teardown property to me.

looks like a teardown property to me.

for the right project absolutely

Is homeland the closest grocery store to midtown, downtown, auto alley, deep deuce?

A small grocery store would be great, demolish that building and put up a new one.

Could make it like 30th street market and flora bodega combined.

OKC needs a good deli like Janes Delicatessen in Tulsa which is a great deli.

Plans for The Nova in Automobile Alley is supposed to be a full-service grocery store.

My wife bought doughnuts at Brown’s this morning and asked when they were closing. The employee responded that they were not closing. Only the south building, adjacent to 10th St. had been sold. Anybody know if the employee is correct? Just curious.

My wife bought doughnuts at Brown’s this morning and asked when they were closing. The employee responded that they were not closing. Only the south building, adjacent to 10th St. had been sold. Anybody know if the employee is correct? Just curious.

that would be really exciting news


** there is no change yet on the county assessor site ..

Good lord it's past time for these folks to read the room and clean up their joint. The excuses are exhausting.

I'm just glad to hear they are still going to be there making those sour cream donuts. Best donuts in the city, for sure. It's on my checklist for places I definitely hit up when I'm in Oklahoma.

The Midtown Business Alliance met at the Engel & Volkers Real Estate office for Brown's Bakery this last week for some reason. It didn't really say what the meeting was about, but I am guessing they are trying to take a hands-on approach to help them with the business.

I hope something happens to save/improve Brown's. I was a long time member and officer of the Oklahoma Bicycle Society and Brown's is a long time Saturday Morning Donut Ride stop. It's a beloved icon to the OBS.

In the interest of variety I will whip out the Detroit Lions analogy-starting in the 1990s the NFL began to experience a change in team ownership and the financial commitment of these new owners. It happened that every few years at league meetings a new owner would complain that the Detroit Lions were a relatively weak team in the national ratings and they should not be given that annual Thanksgiving game. Nobody complained about the Cowboys. At that point Lions owner William Clay Ford would stand up and provide the backstory that the Thanksgiving game was a loser for the hosting team for decades, and the Lions ( later joined by the expansion Cowboys) were the only team willing to sacrifice for the good of the league, and they expected to be rewarded for that sacrifice today. So, regardless of how bad the Lions are, how poor the lighting looks, how lifeless the crowd is and how mediocre the opponent is, the Lions host a Thanksgiving game.
Browns Bakery stayed in Midtown when it was dried up and St. Anthony Hospital was threatening to move without City investment. They might be a poorly capitalized, financially unsophisticated, blue collar business, but they provide a good enough product for a customer base that keeps them afloat.
And they don’t have a reputation of having shootings and crime at 2 in the morning.

Good lord it's past time for these folks to read the room and clean up their joint. The excuses are exhausting.

Drove by on Monday and thought the exact same thing. It looks like a closed business. Seems like they are more concerned with having someone pay for their parking rather than actually putting money into the business.

They might be a poorly capitalized, financially unsophisticated, blue collar business, but they provide a good enough product for a customer base that keeps them afloat.

I find it hard to empathize with them when they've sat on wasted/unused property that has drastically increased in value over the past 10 years. If they want to stay in their building, that's fine by me. But the south building seems to be used solely for storing junk, and their adjoining parking lots are excessive. They could have easily sold some of that property and reinvested back into the business, but they've chosen not to.

I've thought that maybe they should try to strike a deal with Midtown Renaissance. Have MR build them out new space somewhere else in the area (maybe in the new development right across the street?), then sell this valuable space to MR once moved.

When I was down there for the Midtown Walkabout, I noticed that they had plywood covering some missing glass panes. Is that really the look you want to show off when you're hosting visitors in your parking lot?

I find it hard to empathize with them when they've sat on wasted/unused property that has drastically increased in value over the past 10 years. If they want to stay in their building, that's fine by me. But the south building seems to be used solely for storing junk, and their adjoining parking lots are excessive. They could have easily sold some of that property and reinvested back into the business, but they've chosen not to.

I've thought that maybe they should try to strike a deal with Midtown Renaissance. Have MR build them out new space somewhere else in the area (maybe in the new development right across the street?), then sell this valuable space to MR once moved.

When I was down there for the Midtown Walkabout, I noticed that they had plywood covering some missing glass panes. Is that really the look you want to show off when you're hosting visitors in your parking lot?

I wonder if they're the same broken windows referenced in the first post of the thread, 13 years ago. Or mentioned every few years thereafter. It's beyond ridiculous at this point if they have broken windows that stay boarded up for more than a few months.

I wonder if they're the same broken windows referenced in the first post of the thread, 13 years ago. Or mentioned every few years thereafter. It's beyond ridiculous at this point if they have broken windows that stay boarded up for more than a few months.

*cough* Devon tower *cough*

*cough* Devon tower *cough*

Yep, I've lambasted them here for years too.

Greg Horton, on Twitter, says Brown's Bakery has announced it is permanently closing on July 8.