Official close date for Abercrombie is January 16th. Rumor has it they may open at the Outlets in a year - but that’s just rumor.

Hollister at Penn Square is closing as well. Dropping like flies! Abercrombie, Hollister, Banana Republic, NY&Co, Williams Sonoma...etc. Any timetable on when the Apple Store will reopen? I know they’re closed for precautionary reasons.

Last time I was in Penn Square, the Apple Store had removed the black plastic stuff from their entry.

Amoeba, what a great store (I think we went to the one in Berkeley), along with Aquarius (RIP), went there after we flew to SF on 9/8/2001, interesting time to travel...

Oops, should be 9/18/01, can't edit the post, but wanted to correct it.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/brt17.jpg

Pulled from the BRT presentation given at the 1/8/2021 COTPA meeting and helpfully screen captured by Pete, there are some nice improvements incoming that should greatly improve pedestrian access between the sidewalk up and down the west side of Penn, the Mall, the future Oak development, and even 50 Penn Place.

^

Penn Square will also be one of two Park & Ride locations.

When/if the economy become vibrant again I wonder if malls can return to life. It seems like once bigger name retailers leave its next to impossible to get them to return. I think COVID and online shopping will take is toll on many malls. Hope I'm wrong.

Malls need to focus more on what the Internet can't do or do as well, such as restaurants, entertainment.

That new station is taking up way too much space for trucks to park up on the grass. /s

That new station is taking up way too much space for trucks to park up on the grass. /s

They may now actually have to park on the north side of the mall where there is almost always plenty of spaces and (gasp!) walk a bit farther.

They may now actually have to park on the north side of the mall where there is almost always plenty of spaces and (gasp!) walk a bit farther.

Any time we have every gone to the mall, doesn't matter if it is the Saturday before Christmas or tax free weekend, we have never had issues parking north of Macy's. In fact, it is our go to spot to park as we know there is always parking there. I still don't get why people park in the grass to the south and west when there are perfectly good spots to the north. Also, I don't understand why the mall allows them to as it always tears up the grass anyways.

Godiva is closing their store at Penn Square and the rest of their locations.

Apparently Banana Republic is closing too.

https://www.newson6.com/story/6008cf986d58690bbf3a8698/penn-square-mall-loses-longtime-tenants

Gosh, things are getting sad there. Unfortunately I haven't been able to help (by shopping in person) because of Covid. But as soon as I'm able I'll do my part!

Godiva is closing their store at Penn Square and the rest of their locations.

What other locations did they have?

There's 116 in North America, I'm pretty sure they meant more than just Oklahoma.

There's 116 in North America, I'm pretty sure they meant more than just Oklahoma.

Ok. I thought the poster was referencing local.

What a shame.

If you ever stumble across the book Wild Company by Mel and Patricia Ziegler, it tells the fascinating story behind the founding of Banana Republic and their eventual sale to Gap. I highly recommend it.

Super sad on the BR, but the men's section at Penn has always been so incredibly little....the whole store is little. The Outlet Mall store is much larger, even if it is just an Old Navy with BR on the sign (check out the layout, it's the same place).

You know, they should have started selling joggers, hoodies, sweatpants, etc at BR. That's what we're all wearing at home these days. LOL.

The BR in Willowbend Mall (Plano) closed as well.

Hallmark is closing their store at Penn.

What a shame.

If you ever stumble across the book Wild Company by Mel and Patricia Ziegler, it tells the fascinating story behind the founding of Banana Republic and their eventual sale to Gap. I highly recommend it.

I'd be interested in that. I remember when BR was just a hand drawn catalog aka J Peterman which was always my favorite Seinfeld bit.

Also, sad that William Sonoma gone. I tried Sur La Table and their stuff that they put the Sur La table name on is not well made. Tried to order from William Sonoma online just today because their brand tea towels work great (still lots of counter wiping with Covid) and curbside was only option, which was how I learned that they were gone.

Also, sad that William Sonoma gone. I tried Sur La Table and their stuff that they put the Sur La table name on is not well made. Tried to order from William Sonoma online just today because their brand tea towels work great (still lots of counter wiping with Covid) and curbside was only option, which was how I learned that they were gone.

WS is still open in Utica Square/Tulsa. Makes a nice road trip to hit Philbrook, Wild Fork or Queenies, Glacier Chocolates and WS!!

The Apple Store is back open

(all Apple Stores really... https://www.engadget.com/apple-stores-reopen-us-204614615.html)

From the Apple website about the PSM store (photo is my own):

"We’re currently open for shopping by reserving a one-on-one session with a Specialist, pickup of online orders, and Genius Support by making an appointment. We are open with health and safety measures and look forward to welcoming you."

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/apple030121a.jpg

Did they always have that many security personal or does covid make people steal things more? Looks like a TSA line.

Mathis Brothers planning a Sleep Center in the space shown below:

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

Was that the old Jos. A. Bank location?

Did they always have that many security personal or does covid make people steal things more? Looks like a TSA line.

Never seen it before myself and I used to be in and out of PSM all the time. My guess is they're just managing their limited entry processes with staff labeled as security to head off people being dumb about masks and whatnot.

Well Penn Square is officially on its way out if the leasing company is willing to let a mattress store in. And so it begins.....

Well Penn Square is officially on its way out if the leasing company is willing to let a mattress store in. And so it begins.....

What begins is the repopulating of spaces lost during the epic retail set-back caused by a health crisis. The mall will build back, much to the chagrin of many on here.

The mall will build back, much to the chagrin of many on here.

Build back with what? A lot of the retailers that left, during Covid aren't coming back. Their companies either went completely out of business or completely changed their focus/model. (GAP focusing more on Old Navy, versus a brand like Banana Republic) Unless Penn Square changes their focus, like Quail Springs, there just isn't that much retail left to go around.

Build back with what? A lot of the retailers that left, during Covid aren't coming back. Their companies either went completely out of business or completely changed their focus/model. (GAP focusing more on Old Navy, versus a brand like Banana Republic) Unless Penn Square changes their focus, like Quail Springs, there just isn't that much retail left to go around.
I think it'll come back. Lots of those companies filled a demand made by the market and lots of people opted to shop online especially during COVID. I bet we see a brick and mortar rebound within 2-3 years. Before COVID PS had a long waiting list. I doubt the mall goes from that to failing all because they are letting a mattress store in to keep money flowing.

My wish is that PSM would get a Home Goods (not Home Store) or a nicer Marshals or TJ Maxx. Lots of Apartments in the planning stages for downtown and if/when The Oak builds their development across the street, that'll add more residents needing to furnish their surroundings.

My wish is that PSM would get a Home Goods (not Home Store) or a nicer Marshals or TJ Maxx. Lots of Apartments in the planning stages for downtown and if/when The Oak builds their development across the street, that'll add more residents needing to furnish their surroundings.

I sincerely doubt you'll see PSM go to discounters. Those stores go across the creek east to the power strip.

Based on my last visit, I'll be surprised if Macy's survives another year at PSM. The selection of merchandise on the second level was dismal. Department stores, especially, are struggling to figure out how to reinvent themselves as consumers shift an increasing amount of their shopping to online stores.

^

Macy's is just a sad shell of what it used to be.

They've been going steadily downhill for quite a while.

Places like Marshalls and Ross really hurt Macy's too. Why pay 90 for a Ralph Lauren when you can get one for 30 at a Marshalls. Yeah the quality is different, but the average shopper isnt going to notice it when they buy.

The Dillard in PS is super nice.

I think it'll come back. Lots of those companies filled a demand made by the market and lots of people opted to shop online especially during COVID. I bet we see a brick and mortar rebound within 2-3 years. Before COVID PS had a long waiting list. I doubt the mall goes from that to failing all because they are letting a mattress store in to keep money flowing.

Chain stores were closing before the pandemic. I'm just hoping the store closings will stop. Home Goods opening a new store last week in Stillwater is a good sign, though. But Belk had to declare bankruptcy last month. It managed to do so without closing stores. It only has several stores in Oklahoma. Hopefully, Belk has seen the worst. The Belk family wisely sold out for billions over 5 years ago. If Belk becomes a good deal stronger, maybe it will one day open a store in OKC at one of the malls. It's probably better than JCPenney.
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article249433360.html#:~:text=Belk%20was%20able%20 to%20get%20in%20and%20out,the%20works%20of%20a%20b ankruptcy%20that%20is%20in-process.

^

Macy's is just a sad shell of what it used to be.

They've been going steadily downhill for quite a while.Macy's online is quite good. And I've been surprised at how much is available to buy online pickup curbside at the Penn Square store. I have no idea if that helps or hurts the Penn Square store's numbers. I hope it helps. We rarely go inside there to shop because, frankly, the Dillard's is such a better shopping experience. It just seems Macy's doesn't know what it wants to be-- a nice department store or a discounter all about the sales. In the end they have no identity right now. But they have a great selection online.

Looks like an Aveda store is coming to Penn Square. According to the website, it will be on the second floor.

I took a stroll through the mall yesterday and was surprised to see that Taco Bell has left their space. Always seemed very busy.

It its place, something called Cilantro is under construction.

I took a stroll through the mall yesterday and was surprised to see that Taco Bell has left their space. Always seemed very busy.

It its place, something called Cilantro is under construction.

I saw that several weeks ago. I think before that it was an Arbys? Other than Chick Fil A, name brand fast food hasn't done well long term in PS. Does anyone remember if there was ever a McDonald's in PSM? I know Crossroads had one.

I saw that several weeks ago. I think before that it was an Arbys? Other than Chick Fil A, name brand fast food hasn't done well long term in PS. Does anyone remember if there was ever a McDonald's in PSM? I know Crossroads had one.

I don't remember a McDonald's being there, but there used to be a Wendy's in the corner by the hallway to the restrooms.

I don't remember a McDonald's being there, but there used to be a Wendy's in the corner by the hallway to the restrooms.

I think that is what I am thinking of. I remember getting frosties there

Does anyone know the year chick fil a got rid of their private dinning area?

Hallmark is closing their store at Penn.

Earth Bound Trading Company has begun remodeling of that space and will be opening around the end of June.

^^^ are they moving from Quail Springs or a second location?

^^^ are they moving from Quail Springs or a second location?

2nd location.

2nd location.

Yes...the Quail Springs store will remain open. And they have a store in Norman...Sooner Fashion. They also just opened a new store in Woodland Hills Mall in Tulsa. Earth Bound actually does great business. And their business has been improving in recent years.

It's not official information, but I was in Dillard's PS last week, I think a Tuesday morning. And it was relatively busy. I asked a couple salespeople how business has been so far in 2021. Both said great. Both said the store is beating sales records set before the pandemic. They were really excited.

Swarovski has closed down

It's not official information, but I was in Dillard's PS last week, I think a Tuesday morning. And it was relatively busy. I asked a couple salespeople how business has been so far in 2021. Both said great. Both said the store is beating sales records set before the pandemic. They were really excited.
“If you can get your hands on a clown suitcase, I’d very much like to see what’s inside of there”

Rue21 is taking space on the 2nd level between the western Dillards and the food court (south side of the mall).

I hadn't been to Penn Square in awhile. Ended up needing to go to the Apple Store this week, so on my way there I came down 44 as usual and got off on Penn. I was not prepared for the amount of homeless under the bridge there. There has always been panhandlers on the corners there, but I've never seen it completely packed with tents, tarps, and piles of trash like that. Looked like a mini skid row. Sad to see.

^

The cops routinely come around and clear them out, but they always come back again.

All was cleaned up/cleared out for the bridge construction earlier this spring/summer, but has quickly spiraled out of control again.

Went to the mall last week specifically to eat at the Gyro's place. But...it is closed. All equipment and signage gone :-(

Went to the mall last week specifically to eat at the Gyro's place. But...it is closed. All equipment and signage gone :-(

Wow. That place had been there 20 plus years

ThinkGeek is closing at Penn Square

That’s kind of a bummer. I went to their website and I was redirected to GameStop. Are they part of GameStop? I walked through there last week but was in a rush and didn’t check it out in depth. I had planned to go back.