I was just looking at the tenants in Tulsa Promenade and that is a very sad mall and I don't get the comparison to Penn Square. Woodland Hills is a tad below Penn Square but its by far Tulsa's best enclosed mall. Where Tulsa's retail scene really shines is Utica Square. OKC has no development that even comes close.

Agreed. No comparison at all between Penn and Promenade.

hmm It looks like they're finally gonna put a store next to starbucks where that display thing was. A store closed downstairs next to bare minerals I forgot what it was and man they are doing a lot of renovations. There is some speculation that JcPenney is closing quite a bit of stores in 2013, I wouldn't be surprised if JCP closed at Penn simply because it'd help Penn get an upper scale anchor like Neiman Marcus, Belk or even a second Von Maur

hmm It looks like they're finally gonna put a store next to starbucks where that display thing was. A store closed downstairs next to bare minerals I forgot what it was and man they are doing a lot of renovations. There is some speculation that JcPenney is closing quite a bit of stores in 2013, I wouldn't be surprised if JCP closed at Penn simply because it'd help Penn get an upper scale anchor like Neiman Marcus, Belk or even a second Von Maur

I always thought Penneys should leave Penn and a more upscale anchor should come in. I don't think the mall would have a problem getting a flagship Belk. Saks is pushing it but there is one in Tulsa so it might also be a possibility, that's just my speculation though. I am not sure Von Maur would open a second store in the metro. Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus are probably big no-gos.

I am sure the Penn location is more profitable for JCP so I see them closing Quail if OKC gets hit. Quail Springs would be a good fit for Belk IMO.

hmm It looks like they're finally gonna put a store next to starbucks where that display thing was. A store closed downstairs next to bare minerals I forgot what it was and man they are doing a lot of renovations. There is some speculation that JcPenney is closing quite a bit of stores in 2013, I wouldn't be surprised if JCP closed at Penn simply because it'd help Penn get an upper scale anchor like Neiman Marcus, Belk or even a second Von Maur

I wouldn't give up on Penney's yet. They are running some very aggressive advertising basically apologizing and saying "We heard you!" They say they are still listening, but the Penney's you always loved is returning. A slap in the face at the Apple guy who tried his big change, but I was impressed with the speed they are trying to turn things around in a humble way. Smart in my opinion, they're cutting their losses and moving forward by telling people the classic Penney's is coming back. A lot of people who see and hear that for the first time will jump for joy.

Actually Penney's at Penn is the department store that I visit most often there.

JCP at Penn has a good amount of business. I don't think they would close that one absent a huge company meltdown.

A newer J.C. Penney ad and I think it's even better.

Female voiceover says, "It's no secret, recently JCPenney changed. Some changes you liked and some you didn't, but what matters from mistakes is what we learn. We learned a very simple thing, to listen to you."

"Come back to JCPenney, we heard you. Now, we'd love to see you,"

Silence.

Long still of Penney's logo with this in smaller type "We're still listening at facebook.com/jcpenney"

I think they might just save that company yet, which means no new openings for awhile anyway at Penn Square.

I am sure the Penn location is more profitable for JCP so I see them closing Quail if OKC gets hit. Quail Springs would be a good fit for Belk IMO.

Yeah, Belk is nicer than JCP while unlike JCP realizing that coupons are still needed to entice customers to come in. I used several Belk coupons during last Christmas shopping season.

The Johnson regime was an abject failure in how not to go about rebranding. His "great work" at Apple was due more to a great, narrow focused product rather than a great marketing mind, much harder to transform a general merchandise store into something else than it is to market a narrowly focused product with an almost evangelical following. It wasn't too hard to look smart when Steve Jobs was pretty much telling you what to do. I don't think success at Apple will translate too well outside of Apple.

My wife quit shopping at JC Penney after all the changes, there and Kohls is where she does most of her clothes shopping. I have never been a JCP shopper, Dillard's is where I get most of my clothing.

Yesterday evening I went to the mall ( not really a great idea) and went inside JCP. It seems like they've spruced it up a lot with all the remodeling and new sections soon, compared to Macy's and Dillards men, JCP is nice. I still don't like the single pricings on clearance though I still miss the old way they had markdowns ( anyone remember when you got free candy and the wrapper had a coupon on it).

BTW a little bit off topic I noticed that there are way too many Sunglass Huts in the mall (4 to be exact, a kiosk near the apple store, one next to Dilards men, one little Kiosk thing in Macy's and a store across from the AMC.)

I never shop at jc penney's, so im ignorant about them. What exactly changed with the store?

See's Candies is getting a storefront in the mall, pinch me I must be dreaming

See's Candies are so good! Founded by Mary See in 1921 in Los Angeles they are a popular West Coast candy shop. I absolutely love their Peanut Brittle and their chocolates made with all fresh ingridients. IMO, they are much better than Russell Stover's candies. If you look on the white and black box on See's you will see a slogan, See's a "happy habit"! Believe me, I totally agree.

See's Candies is getting a storefront in the mall, pinch me I must be dreamingDo you know when they'll be open???

I never shop at jc penney's, so im ignorant about them. What exactly changed with the store?

Instead of having heavy marked up clothes and "Sales" to bring people in, they started selling clothes at an everyday fair price. Additionally, they tried to market JCP toward a younger audience. It actually worked on me, though, because I never used to shop at JCP before the changes were made and it made me actually pay attention to them. Before I assumed it was a store for older people but now it feels modern and fresh.

It's somewhat annoying in how they are organizing now though. They are taking the old Dillard's model of organizing by collection. So each area has it's own sales and it's own sizes. So you have to look in multiple areas to find, say a shirt. They're pretty torn up inside while they make the changes too.

Penn in general is a mess right now. The remodel has all kinds of stuff torn up and crazy. It's hard to believe it's been over 10 years since the last renovation.

I remember the last renovation, Penn got an elevator from it and I remember when they got rid of those putrid guard rails and moved a lot of the stores around

Theater upgrades in Oklahoma City include comfy power recliners | News OK (http://newsok.com/theater-upgrades-in-oklahoma-city-include-comfy-power-recliners/article/3815255)


The red, cozy, power reclining chairs now found in each of the theater's 10 auditoriums allow moviegoers to watch a movie in supreme comfort, with footrests and cup holders. Other upgrades include new options at the concessions, like chicken fingers, jalapeno poppers and mozzarella sticks and a Coca-Cola Freestyle machine, with its seemingly infinite drink combinations.

http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r620-3b3b7c244870d2712dc63b4abb703c1e.jpg http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r620-0198e0930348a26d1798147a8f14d623.jpg
http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r620-3ff359180d2415915e7f4a4f492f29e2.jpg http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r620-059dcec33a48298dd1de650f8afe0de4.jpg

it looks like refills would be free....

I might have to start going there, one thing I hate more than anything is having to buy a $5.00 soda at a movie theater and at best getting one free refill....

The cost of soda and ice to fill a 20oz glass is 1 cent. Iced tea is even cheaper at 1/2 a cent.

It's pretty awesome to watch a movie in those recliners I must say...

it looks like refills would be free....

I might have to start going there, one thing I hate more than anything is having to buy a $5.00 soda at a movie theater and at best getting one free refill....

The cost of soda and ice to fill a 20oz glass is 1 cent. Iced tea is even cheaper at 1/2 a cent.

When I worked at Frontier City in high school we had a self serve Coke fountain, but didn't allow free refills. I got a few dirty looks and occasionally a choice word when I would tell people trying to get refills.

Went to go see Star Trek Into Darkness on Friday night and the seats were great. The coke machine was nice to be able add flavors and dictate how much ice you got, etc. Downfall was the air was not working well in Theater 4 so it was really warm. Afterwards, I talked to the manager and he said they were having trouble with the air in 2 of the theaters and sometimes in a third so they were closing 5 of the theaters this week for the summer to fix the air. So, if you go to the movies there, you shouldn't have the same problems since it appears the problem theaters will be closed.

Apparently part of Dickinson leaving was they wanted the mall to replace their AC units, but the mall wouldn't agree to it. Part of AMC's deal for taking that space is the mall will replace the AC. i think Penn made the right choice there.

The new AMC is great. We went Thursday night and really enjoyed it and loved those recliners!

is there any pictures of when PS first became an enclosed mall? I always wondered what it looked like in the 90's

Art of Shaving opening in PSM:

The Art of Shaving, a men's barber salon and retail store, is opening its first Oklahoma location in Penn Square Mall. The retailer, which has more than 100 stores nationwide, plans to open a 1,200-square-foot store in the mall this summer. The Art of Shaving offers shaving products, razors, brushes, skin care products and grooming services.

Window shopping Oklahoma businesses and elsewhere, May 30 | News OK (http://newsok.com/window-shopping-oklahoma-businesses-and-elsewhere-may-30/article/3836654?custom_click=pod_headline_business)

1,200 ft, I am curious where this will open in the mall. Maybe in the old Sarasara spot near the Gap?

I announced that several pages back, when I emailed them and posted their response. Glad it's "official" now.

Art of Shaving opening in PSM:

The Art of Shaving, a men's barber salon and retail store, is opening its first Oklahoma location in Penn Square Mall. The retailer, which has more than 100 stores nationwide, plans to open a 1,200-square-foot store in the mall this summer. The Art of Shaving offers shaving products, razors, brushes, skin care products and grooming services.

Window shopping Oklahoma businesses and elsewhere, May 30 | News OK (http://newsok.com/window-shopping-oklahoma-businesses-and-elsewhere-may-30/article/3836654?custom_click=pod_headline_business)

1,200 ft, I am curious where this will open in the mall. Maybe in the old Sarasara spot near the Gap?Didn't know about the Art of Shaving. Will definitely check it out as I shave with a safety razor.

good, I hope WINDSOR leaves and Art of Shaving takes its place

The remodel seems to be progressing well. Steel is going up for the new entrances, and the food court is getting close to completion. They just put up the new steel to expand the floor of the food court as well.

Didn't know about the Art of Shaving. Will definitely check it out as I shave with a safety razor.

No need to wait, go to Shave Shop in Classen Curve, much better products, service and selection than Art of Shaving.

The remodel seems to be progressing well. Steel is going up for the new entrances, and the food court is getting close to completion. They just put up the new steel to expand the floor of the food court as well.

Will the food court continue to present the same crappy offerings (with the notable exception of Italia Express; great slices!)?

is there any pictures of when PS first became an enclosed mall? I always wondered what it looked like in the 90's

Penn Square got MALLED in the 80s, if memory serves. I remember visiting in the late 1970s with my grandmother, when it was still a Utica Square-type construct.

Will the food court continue to present the same crappy offerings

i take it that the cajun cafe (which inexplicably serves asian food) isn't up to your standards? -M

i take it that the cajun cafe (which inexplicably serves asian food) isn't up to your standards? -M

haha, I've never understood this...

i take it that the cajun cafe (which inexplicably serves asian food) isn't up to your standards? -M

haha, I've never understood this...
It almost goes a fair distance to understanding why Hop Sing was referenced in the Hillbilly's Po' Boys menu.

Penn Square got MALLED in the 80s, if memory serves. I remember visiting in the late 1970s with my grandmother, when it was still a Utica Square-type construct.
The very early 80's is when it was enclosed (I found the CD's in the vault at Benham one time) and the large expansion was the late 80's.

i take it that the cajun cafe (which inexplicably serves asian food) isn't up to your standards? -M

It's awfully hard to be critical of mall food court fare.

You can't really expect much.

Charlie's though--you'll never get bad food there.

It's awfully hard to be critical of mall food court fare.

You can't really expect much.

Charlie's though--you'll never get bad food there.

Charlie's is awesome.

I know it will never happen, but I would love to see all the eateries at the food court be local restaurants. Can you imagine walking into the food court and seeing Tucker's, S&B's, The Mule, Cafe 7, Saturn Grill, Old School Bagel Cafe, Big Truck Tacos, Humble Pie and Iguana? I would go to the mall more if that were the case, but I know a lot of people from out of town wouldn't like it since they wouldn't recognize the names.

and Roxy's Ice Cream Social!
great ice cream!

It's awfully hard to be critical of mall food court fare.

You can't really expect much.

Charlie's though--you'll never get bad food there.

Agreed. Even Southpark Mall in Charlotte, a mall that makes Penn Square look like 2005 Crossroads, has pretty much the same chains in their food court. Mall food courts are meant for people out shopping when its lunch time, not to be dining destinations.

It's awfully hard to be critical of mall food court fare.

You can't really expect much.

Charlie's though--you'll never get bad food there.

i actually don't have a problem with penn square's food court... it's a convenient place for mall visitors to grab a quick bite. not sure why some folks expect five star dining. i've just never understood the logic behind the name "cajun cafe."

as for charlie's, it isn't bad fast food. when i worked along 63rd, our office would eat at the food court once in a while. we came to the conclusion that the guy handing out the free samples was a serial killer. well... at least he looked like the stereotypical, "he was always such a quiet man" kind of guy.

-M

we came to the conclusion that the guy handing out the free samples was a serial killer. well... at least he looked like the stereotypical, "he was always such a quiet man" kind of guy. -M

Anybody who has been there once knows exactly who you are talking about. I have come to the conclusion that he is a manager or something.

Anybody who has been there once knows exactly who you are talking about.

that's good news and bad news. good news in that we weren't off base in our observations. bad news in that he now knows i'm on to him and so i probably just made his list. -M

Is there anything new on the Microsoft store???? I really want this to happen!

Is there anything new on the Microsoft store???? I really want this to happen!

Yes, They are on track. Their corporate people are in town next week.

I know it will never happen, but I would love to see all the eateries at the food court be local restaurants. Can you imagine walking into the food court and seeing Tucker's, S&B's, The Mule, Cafe 7, Saturn Grill, Old School Bagel Cafe, Big Truck Tacos, Humble Pie and Iguana? I would go to the mall more if that were the case, but I know a lot of people from out of town wouldn't like it since they wouldn't recognize the names.
Dear God no. We don't need the regulars of the restaurants those districts survive on to start going to a shopping mall. A better option would be those concepts in the airport -- basically off limits to the public so it wouldn't steal any business from the standalone restaurants.

The very early 80's is when it was enclosed (I found the CD's in the vault at Benham one time) and the large expansion was the late 80's.

Does anyone have any old photos of Penn Square Shpping Center before it got malled?

Is there anything new on the Microsoft store???? I really want this to happen!

The space their going to be in is walled off now and is probably underconstruction at this point or close to starting anyway.

Does anyone have any old photos of Penn Square Shpping Center before it got malled?I swear this was already brought up at one point or another. I'll see if I can find the thread.

I swear this was already brought up at one point or another. I'll see if I can find the thread.

Yes, it has been brought up. Check out the picture that Pete has in post number 406.

Just talked to a guy working the Microsoft kiosk, he said it is underway and going good. I even peaked my head in the door and had a look and it is coming along.

Just talked to a guy working the Microsoft kiosk, he said it is underway and going good. I even peaked my head in the door and had a look and it is coming along.

Thanks for the update. Looks like the 3 things (Von Maur, Microsoft, Nordstrom Rack) that has had everyone curious are still good to go.

Yeah, Microsoft is going in the location that used to be Bacharch.

It's been a while since i was there, but they were extending the food court out over more of the center atrium then. I think i counted 3 asian themed places at the food court then too, which seems like too much of one type of food for such a small food court.

When the wife and I go to the mall, we almost always park by Macy's because it is the easiest place to park. When walking through that wing of the mall, I noticed it has started to become the Gap wing, moreso than the Macy's wing. Gap stores and Banana Republic (which is owned by the same company) take up everything on the east side of that mall wing from A&F to the center court.

So, I am going to make a point to NOT go to the mall on this day...

Tim McGraw to put on free concert an Penn Square Mall in Oklahoma City.
Published: October 3, 2013

Microsoft store grand opening will include Tim McGraw show

Country music star Tim McGraw will perform in the Penn Square Mall parking lot Nov. 17 to mark the opening of the new Microsoft retail store. The concert will be in the parking lot near entrance 1, between Cantina Laredo and Jos A. Bank at 4 p.m.; gates open at 2 p.m. Tickets will be distributed during the grand opening of the Microsoft store the day before — Nov. 16 at 11 a.m. Each person in line will be given two tickets and the line begins forming at 10 p.m. Nov. 15. The store features products like Surface tablets, Windows 8 PCs, Kinect for Xbox 360, Office products and more. For more information, visit facebook.com/MicrosoftStore.

Free concert to feature Tim McGraw | News OK (http://newsok.com/free-concert-to-feature-tim-mcgraw/article/3889127)

Chico's just pulled a $189,000 building permit to remodel their store.

I think one thing we all have to keep in mind that most of today's teenagers were raised by people who were children in adult bodies. Very few kids and teens are taught how to behave in public. Sure we wall annoyed the hell out of adults as kids however, the majority of the people on here new where the line was. If store employees or mall security had to get involved you took it down a notch or two and went about your business. You knew better then to bring things to a point where Mom and Dad or worse the police had to get involved. Being busted by the cops was not the badge of honor it is now.

Today only a select few have respect for others let alone authority. When things get bad enough for parents or police to be called the parents show up and blame everyone but the kid. If I were a little younger I would consider becoming a bail bondsman or a criminal defense attorney. Both those fields are about become very lucrative because many of today's teens are going to see jail or prison time at some point in their early adulthood. I predict we will soon hit a time where not being convicted of a crime will put you in the minority not the majority.

On another note, Heritage Park is closed, Crossroads is looking exactly like Heritage Park did in it's final years of existence (each passing day,month, year = another closed store and new "For Lease" sign). The kids have nowhere else to go other then Penn Square and Quail Springs. Both malls might as well go ahead and replace their security officers with off duty police officers. Otherwise the next big development in North OKC/Edmond might just suck all the stores out of both malls.

I agree. This generation with their bobby socks, leather jackets, slicked-back hair ... they got no respect for authority. They're a bunch a rebels for no reason! It's that perverted Elvis and that "rock and roll" jungle music.