That's a bummer, but it sounds like the owner just decided to retire. Being able to close on your own terms after a 77-year run is about a good an ending as a business can get.

The Oklahoma Bicycle Society will be at a loss. They've had a donut ride on Saturday mornings to Brown's for as long as I can remember.

Damn. This makes me very sad. I will miss their sour cream donuts. Sad face, for real.

The Oklahoma Bicycle Society will be at a loss. They've had a donut ride on Saturday mornings to Brown's for as long as I can remember.

My coworker who goes on the Donut ride said the next one was scheduled for July 15th. Maybe they can move it up a week or so.

KWTV reporting Brown's Jul 8 closing as well

There is a sign on the door stating the July 8th date.

I've never been there. Might have to go by there at least once before they close for good. With Ingrid's gone and now Brown's closing what kinds of bakeries like these are left?

The Oklahoma Bicycle Society will be at a loss. They've had a donut ride on Saturday mornings to Brown's for as long as I can remember.

Fortunately for them, there's another donut place within one block.

I'd love to see a new owner activate or build out the parking lot in front of the building.

My coworker who goes on the Donut ride said the next one was scheduled for July 15th. Maybe they can move it up a week or so.
The Donut ride is every Saturday. Always has been. The next one will be June 24th.

Fortunately for them, there's another donut place within one block.
Won't be the same. Brown's is an OBS icon.

I had never been. Do they bake breads or rolls?

Will this likely be dozed and then redeveloped, or will they try to repurpose the bakery building?

Will this likely be dozed and then redeveloped, or will they try to repurpose the bakery building?As many great memories I have from there I have to admit it's a poorly designed dump. And with zero architectural significance. I'm sure it will be dozed.

Will this likely be dozed and then redeveloped, or will they try to repurpose the bakery building?

hopefully dozed

Every time Craig Humphreys does his Sports Animal morning show from Johnson's of Kingfisher they always have Brown's Bakery in the house. I wonder who they are going to use now.

hopefully dozed

in my opinion, this building could be a real gem if brought back to its original state:
18083

I've never been there. Might have to go by there at least once before they close for good. With Ingrid's gone and now Brown's closing what kinds of bakeries like these are left?
Get there early enough to get the sour cream donuts before they sell out. In my opinion they are the best donuts in the city. I'm pretty crushed by this news.

in my opinion, this building could be a real gem if brought back to its original state:

While I agree it could be made to look great again, that might only make sense if you were to leave the parking lots undeveloped. Any improvements to the building might be significantly obscured if the lots were developed. I'd personally prefer to see it razed if it leads to a much larger development taking up the entire property, and I think this location is ideal for something with a larger presence.

While I agree it could be made to look great again, that might only make sense if you were to leave the parking lots undeveloped. Any improvements to the building might be significantly obscured if the lots were developed. I'd personally prefer to see it razed if it leads to a much larger development taking up the entire property, and I think this location is ideal for something with a larger presence.

this was my thought as well

Went by today at 9:15 and they had been completely sold out of donuts for about 45 minutes. Better go early if you want a donut lol

While I agree it could be made to look great again, that might only make sense if you were to leave the parking lots undeveloped. Any improvements to the building might be significantly obscured if the lots were developed. I'd personally prefer to see it razed if it leads to a much larger development taking up the entire property, and I think this location is ideal for something with a larger presence.

that's a good point. i can see the value if something with greater density replaces it.

Went by today at 9:15 and they had been completely sold out of donuts for about 45 minutes. Better go early if you want a donut lol

I don't think there is a donut worth that much to me to struggle that much to get. I'll just stick with my regular donut shops I frequent.

Good memories of Brown's Bakery, my mother used them to purchase our sheet birthday cakes when they were on 13th & North Robinson. Mrs. Brown was as sweet as the cakes she prepared.

Four sons, she (mother) never forgot our birthdays. You could depend on Mrs. Brown to have those cakes ready around 2 p.m. when we picked them up. Never disappointed in the service they provided for our family.

So it sounds like this is mainly a donut place with no fresh baked breads, rolls, baguettes or similar items.

So it sounds like this is mainly a donut place with no fresh baked breads, rolls, baguettes or similar items.

Last time I visited the current Brown's Bakery (2022) they had baked breads. donuts, rolls, cornbread and a number of variety sweet rolls. Must admit, the goods weren't as fresh as they use to be when they were on 13th & Robinson. Mrs. Brown IIRC passed away when the store was on Robinson.

So it sounds like this is mainly a donut place with no fresh baked breads, rolls, baguettes or similar items.

What? Have you never been? It is a full-blown bakery.

What? Have you never been? It is a full-blown bakery.

No, I have not been. That was why I asked as nobody was talking about their bread selections

I had a friend visit my home when I lived in Heritage Hills. Over the dining room table he told me "I used to manage the 4-plex next door and I could see through the windows into your house. The table in this dining room was a mess, always covered in flour. It was The Brown's family home, the family from Brown's Bakery.". I'm also thrilled to see that someone else remembers that Brown's Bakery was on NW 13th & Robinson before the moved to their present location. It has been a source of debate with those that insist that "Brown's has been in their present location forever".

Yes, I do remember it for sure. Used to stop there with my dad when I was a kid. That corner felt so much more urban then. Torn down due to rat infestation, I remember hearing.

The Brown Family bought that Midtown property in 1997, so they must have moved about that time.

They paid $167K for both the old grocery building and the lot to the south.

They are going to end up clearing millions in the sale.

^ Wow!!!

The Brown Family bought that Midtown property in 1997, so they must have moved about that time…
It must’ve been some sort of lease-purchase arrangement, and 1997 was when they closed on the sale, because they moved into that space well before 1997. I thought it might’ve even been the late 80s, but this article (https://www.oklahoman.com/story/lifestyle/features/2022/06/26/browns-bakery-remains-midtown-okc-staple-after-30-years/7690738001/) indicates they moved in 1992.

Here is an architectural rendering of the original grocery store that was in that location:

18094

Yeah, here’s an Oklahoman article mentioning the anticipated tear down of the Robinson location, after they had already moved. Looks like the move was February 1992.

18095

^ Wow!!!

Keep in mind real estate was dirt cheap in that area then. The building that is now The Loft Garage Apartments sold around that time for $200,000ish IIRC. 60,000sf on 3 levels.

Some recollections of the area from 25-30 years ago-Brown's Bakery was owned then by Bill Brown and his wife Katie(?), who were the second generation of baker Brown's. Their building they owned at 13th & Robinson was mortgaged when they expanded into Edmond in the 1980s and build a shopping center to go along with their second bakery location. The oil and real estate busts cost them everything but the original bakery, and they were tenants of the 13th building thereafter. Bob Moore acquired Bolen Oldsmobile, Jeep/Eagle around 1995 and moved it into the 13th & Broadway dealership that had been Buick for many years. Bob Moore wound up owning (or optioning) the Brown's building and cleared it for vehicle storage.

The Brown's were nice people and were strong allies when we opposed St. Luke's effort to close 14th Street between Robinson and Harvey.

Their 10th & Walker building was the Taj Mahal compared to 13th & Robinson.

This would be a great spot for a residential tower with ground floor retail. Use the whole lot. Get rid of surface parking there.

Last time I visited the current Brown's Bakery (2022) they had baked breads. donuts, rolls, cornbread and a number of variety sweet rolls. Must admit, the goods weren't as fresh as they use to be when they were on 13th & Robinson. Mrs. Brown IIRC passed away when the store was on Robinson.

Thanks Laramie. It doesn't appear to be a destination for rye, sourdough loaves or burger, dog buns.

I was eating lunch at McNellie's earlier this week and noticed a lot of work going on at Brown's Bakery. Excited for whatever is to go in there.

I was eating lunch at McNellie's earlier this week and noticed a lot of work going on at Brown's Bakery. Excited for whatever is to go in there.

The property sale still hasn't closed.

Still think it's the Midtown Renaissance guys but I've heard whoever it is, they plan to restore the old grocery store building, replacing all the glass and opening up the high barrel roof.

The property sale still hasn't closed.

Still think it's the Midtown Renaissance guys but I've heard whoever it is, they plan to restore the old grocery store building, replacing all the glass and opening up the high barrel roof.

i think the bones on both buildings could make for some very nice space ..

i think the bones on both buildings could make for some very nice space ..

The building to the south was a tack-on and I bet it goes.

The building to the south was a tack-on and I bet it goes.

I didn't know that thanks .. so maybe some kind of new build on that space ..

The property sale still hasn't closed.

Still think it's the Midtown Renaissance guys but I've heard whoever it is, they plan to restore the old grocery store building, replacing all the glass and opening up the high barrel roof.

When I went by, the drop ceiling was already coming down and most of the wood (or is it paint) covering the upper windows on the north building had been removed. I believe the windows on the south building were exposed as well.

It appears the new owner of the Brown's Bakery property is Midtown Renaissance.

I know the plan is to restore the main building, which was once a mid-century beauty. Don't know about the rest of the property.

They have cleaned up the south building as well and it looks like the plans are to restore it and the original grocery store structure.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/browns100423g.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/browns100423i.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/browns100423h.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/browns100423a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/browns100423b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/browns100423c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/browns100423d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/browns100423e.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/browns100423f.jpg

I assume the north building is too small to work as an actual grocery store again? Looks like it’s about half the size of the TJ’s in NH Plaza.

I assume the north building is too small to work as an actual grocery store again? Looks like it’s about half the size of the TJ’s in NH Plaza.

The old Brown's building is only 5,600 square feet. Trader Joe's in Nichols Hills Plaza is over 14,000 SF.

So, this space is far too small for any current grocer. Even the average Aldi is around 22,000 SF.

oh my goodness... that's already such a huge improvement on the exterior.

I recall the south building was a TG&Y way back in the 60s-70s?

oh my goodness... that's already such a huge improvement on the exterior.

yep already a massive improvement

I'm guessing this will be some type of restaurant/diner thing then. Which will be super cool, but I really was hoping for massing up to the corner with some type of apartments.

Side note, the sunset going to be sunning into that place big time. They should just call this the actual sunset patio.

I'm guessing this will be some type of restaurant/diner thing then. Which will be super cool, but I really was hoping for massing up to the corner with some type of apartments.

Side note, the sunset going to be sunning into that place big time. They should just call this the actual sunset patio.

I get wanting apartments (more are needed in Midtown), but I think there would be an uproar tearing down Brown's Bakery.

Maybe by ten people.
We are in OKC so we can bulldoze anything we want !

Plus, I do not see the attraction in this building although it already looks much better.

That parking lot desperately needs to be replaced by a new building. That intersection is to important to be bordered by a surface parking lot. The problem is that the existing buildings are orientated towards the parking lot and not the street. Any new development on the parking lot would block the best architectural details of the Brown's Bakery building and leave a blank wall along Park Place as the primary street interaction. I'm sure it can be done correctly, but it sure makes it more difficult to activate that parking lot in the future.

I'm guessing this will be some type of restaurant/diner thing then. Which will be super cool, but I really was hoping for massing up to the corner with some type of apartments.

Side note, the sunset going to be sunning into that place big time. They should just call this the actual sunset patio.

They will probably install blinds like the ones at Harvey Bakery:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/harveybakery112321a.jpg

Would be a great spot for a DGX like in downtown Tulsa.

That parking lot desperately needs to be replaced by a new building. That intersection is to important to be bordered by a surface parking lot. The problem is that the existing buildings are orientated towards the parking lot and not the street. Any new development on the parking lot would block the best architectural details of the Brown's Bakery building and leave a blank wall along Park Place as the primary street interaction. I'm sure it can be done correctly, but it sure makes it more difficult to activate that parking lot in the future.

also can’t afford to bulldoze another lot in midtown then see it sit empty for an undetermined amount of time. Renovating this and using it at least until other lots in midtown are developed is the right move.

Hope they use the south building as well unless they plan to tear it down and immediately replace it. Cool things have been done with even more nondescript buildings (see ludevine/R&J, kongs/sushi moto, the grove, sunset patio bar, Tamashi, etc)

They wouldn't be cleaning up the buildings if they planned to bulldoze them.

They could easily add patios or a plaza in front of the property.

also can’t afford to bulldoze another lot in midtown then see it sit empty for an undetermined amount of time. Renovating this and using it at least until other lots in midtown are developed is the right move.

Hope they use the south building as well unless they plan to tear it down and immediately replace it. Cool things have been done with even more nondescript buildings (see ludevine/R&J, kongs/sushi moto, the grove, sunset patio bar, Tamashi, etc)

I agree completely. I'm glad they are saving Brown's building and think the south building has potential as well. I especially like the little store front the pokes out along 10th. It is just going to take a little more effort to redevelop the parking lot in the future because of the orientation of the buildings. It wont be impossible. In the meantime we will see 2 buildings come back to life which is a great thing.