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201 NW 23rd (http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=201+NW+23rd) | 23rd Street Courts (http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=23rd+Street+Courts) | 603 NW 23rd (http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=603+NW+23rd) | Back Door Barbecue | Big Truck Tacos | Cheever's | Daebak K | Dutch | Gold Dome | Grandad's | Guernsey Park | Guyutes | Old American Fidelity (http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=23rd+Street+Courts) | Pizza 23 | Pizzeria Gusto | Pump Bar | Sunbeam Old Campus | The Classen | The Drake | The Rise | Tower Theater | Tucker's

Here is something new that I noticed today. The retail west of Harvey along 23rd is now vacant with for lease signs in the windows. It had been the business named Design Resources. I am not sure how long they have been there, but it seems like at least a few years.

Also Wild Flower is no longer located next to Cuppies and Joes, I believe the moved to another location in the downtown area.

Currently there is plywood all along the store fronts in the Tower Theater area, but I haven't seen any type of construction or contractors working here.

I also see that the T-Mobile store is open for business at the Sun Moon Plaza, 23rd and Western.

Is Prohibition Room being evicted from the 23rd Gold Dome?

There was a story about them and problems with their lease, but I appeared they were open for business this evening.

The hot dog place by the Big Truck Taco folks is some development on 23rd, but I have no far east/west on 23rd is considered "uptown."

I didn't know Wildflower had moved...that's a shame. I would have hoped they would get enough foot traffic from other businesses in that complex to keep them going, but I must confess I'd always planned to shop there and never got around to it.

I know they're expanding the 23rd Street Cottages, which Cuppies and Joe is in.

Is Prohibition Room being evicted from the 23rd Gold Dome?

There was a story about them and problems with their lease, but I appeared they were open for business this evening.

The owners claim to have been paying their rent. It sounds a lot like a personal conflict.

I know they're expanding the 23rd Street Cottages, which Cuppies and Joe is in.

Were those cottages already there and they rehabbed them, or are they new construction? I honestly can't remember what was there before.

Me neither, but they're in the middle of a block. I don't know why they would have been there originally, when they were houses. The complex makes sense now that it's a retail development.

Are we talking about the old 23rd Street Vintage location?

Those four cottages along 23rd are definitely original, dating back to around 1915.

http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/sketches/picfile/2683/R047301305001uA.jpg

Pete, there are some cottages in the REAR of those however that are currently under construction. That's the expansion of the 23rd Street Cottages. They are in the middle of the block with frontage on neither 23rd or 24th. You have to turn into the development and go behind Cuppies and Joe, but you can see the construction if you're just passing it on 23rd.

Those were built at the same time as the ones along 23rd.

Noticed a new sign for a place called "1924 Bar", (may be off a number or two), but it is located in the Tower Theater building to the west end of the strip. Sign says to be opening April 1st.

Also noticed new glass being installed all along the strip center east of Big Truck. I know Big Truck has their merchandise store in that building and the new glass was going in there too.

I am still unclear as to what is going on behind the plywood inside the Tower Theater building?

and did Wildflower move to the Plaza District?

Its in total disrepair but that house just behind Cuppies and Joe looks like it could be a cool, compact home. Maybe its the small rectangular pool that sits there that has me intrigued.

When do we think, this stretch of 23rd street between Broadway and Classen will receive it's new sidewalks?

It is quite sad to see one of the most walkable streets in Okc not have adequate sidewalks and crosswalks, but NW 164th and Western has incredible sidewalks for pedestrians.

Here is something new that I noticed today. The retail west of Harvey along 23rd is now vacant with for lease signs in the windows. It had been the business named Design Resources. I am not sure how long they have been there, but it seems like at least a few years.
According to their website Design Resources moved up to the Wilshire & Robinson area in what has become a "design district", so they are close to their clientele in that location.
The owner used to be on here quite a bit years ago and has been active in the 23rd Street revitalization.

The Old Downtown Guy, right? I met him for lunch at McNellie's a few years ago (like 06 or 07, back when Ok-Met was going strong), he was cool. Surprising that such an inner city guy would move up to Wilshire..

Pete is right Spartie, those are original, my neighbor, Mike Therasena is the one who owns and remodeled those cottages. They've been there as long as I can remember. Before the rehab Cuppies used to be The Vintage where us punkers got clothes in the 90s. And there is only one house behind them, it's directly behind Cuppies, I will go take a pic today to show you. It was going to be a sushi place but the guy had financial issues but they are expanding it as we speak and seeking another restaurant.

The Old Downtown Guy, right? I met him for lunch at McNellie's a few years ago (like 06 or 07, back when Ok-Met was going strong), he was cool. Surprising that such an inner city guy would move up to Wilshire..

You are correct. Michael Smith. Married to Randy Floyd, I believe. I think I was there with you...

At is correct, they live down the street from me also.

You are correct. Michael Smith. Married to Randy Floyd, I believe. I think I was there with you...

Yessir. He was also one of the fathers of a Mid-town association that I think has died out now, though I could be wrong.


Pete is right Spartie, those are original, my neighbor, Mike Therasena is the one who owns and remodeled those cottages. They've been there as long as I can remember. Before the rehab Cuppies used to be The Vintage where us punkers got clothes in the 90s.

Haha, alright. I just remember the ones fronting 23rd, and I assumed they weren't building new, but BG918 (who is usually well-informed) asked the question and made me wonder. I was never asserting one way or another, just didn't know. Thanks for the info.. and that's too bad about the sushi parlor.

That little clutch of renovated cottages is one of the best bits of infill development in all of OKC.

Would love to see that developer do more.

I agree. They just embraced the fabric they had to work with.

I agree. They just embraced the fabric they had to work with.

After the skinny building behind the parking lot, and house they own behind that are done, I wouldn't be surprised to see Tharasena expand outward if the opportunity presents itself. The "travel agency" on the NE corner of 23rd and Shartel is underutilized, as is the hippy store 2 buildings north. Both would be logical additions to his parcel.

Previously he had also tried to acquire the Church's chicken building, or so he told me one time. Would be nice if he could take that over. Also, there are a bunch of underutilized buildings, including a few more cottages across the street. Sounds like he's caught the urban bug, hopefully he has the money and desire to expand his empire.

Pete, Mike Therasena is a controversial landlord from what I hear, but if he could duplicate the 23rd Street Cottages somewhere else, I'd be all for more adaptive reuse.

Spartan, the MidTown Association is still around, although I don't know if it ever really had much influence. I just got back from driving over there and snapped a few pics. Enjoy...

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/CIMG6963.jpg

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/CIMG6968.jpg

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/CIMG6967.jpg

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/CIMG6966.jpg
http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/CIMG6965.jpg

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/CIMG6964.jpg

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/CIMG6969.jpg


In Regards to the bar at Tower Theatre, it's actually about 3 retail spaces west of the Tower, here are some pics from this afternoon. A close-up and a distance shot to show perspective.

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/CIMG6970.jpg

NOTICE THE BAR WITH THE NEON GREEN AWNING:

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/CIMG6971.jpg

If anyone knows someone with a little Hotel management knowledge, something like this would be very cool in Uptown or in the Paseo and Plaza districts.

http://www.verdecamp.com/

It's in Austin Tx, small 1 and 2 bed homes clustered together much like the Therasena properties, all managed like a boutique hotel or bed & breakfast. These are for nightly rental rates and rates average around $200.00 per night.

After the skinny building behind the parking lot, and house they own behind that are done, I wouldn't be surprised to see Tharasena expand outward if the opportunity presents itself. The "travel agency" on the NE corner of 23rd and Shartel is underutilized, as is the hippy store 2 buildings north. Both would be logical additions to his parcel.

Previously he had also tried to acquire the Church's chicken building, or so he told me one time. Would be nice if he could take that over. Also, there are a bunch of underutilized buildings, including a few more cottages across the street. Sounds like he's caught the urban bug, hopefully he has the money and desire to expand his empire.

Man, that hippy store on Shartel is awesome though.

wsucougz, Therasena already owns a bunch of properties in the inner city, this is the only redevelopment he's done I'm aware of.

metro....Good pics of Uptown, this area really has so much potential and yet has so so far to go.

Thanks for the photos Metro!

That bar under the green awnings says "1907 Bar". There is already something by the same name at the airport.

The Old Downtown Guy, right? I met him for lunch at McNellie's a few years ago (like 06 or 07, back when Ok-Met was going strong), he was cool. Surprising that such an inner city guy would move up to Wilshire..
Yep, I met him one time when I brought some Fat Tire up for him when we came up for an OU-Tech game. We knew some of the same people from my Benham days.

Trivia time: what cafeteria was once housed in the building Metro photographed?

Trivia time: what cafeteria was once housed in the building Metro photographed? I believe it was O'Meallys? If not, then I say Adair's.

Thanks for the photos Metro!

That bar under the green awnings says "1907 Bar". There is already something by the same name at the airport.

Pre-existing names don't seem to bother some, Oklahoma Station (BBQ) was around long before the place in the airport opened (no connection).

I would be interested to see if someone can make that space under the green awning nice.

Spartan, Are you saying the Weave place is not a quality establishment.

Pre-existing names don't seem to bother some, Oklahoma Station (BBQ) was around long before the place in the airport opened (no connection).

Airport BBQ is The Salt Lick BBQ, not Oklahoma Station.

I would be interested to see if someone can make that space under the green awning nice.

Surely they're going to renovate the facade as well. I'm not sure you can dignify the description of that green thing with the term "awning".

Spartan, Are you saying the Weave place is not a quality establishment.

No, not at all! I actually think it could make a great urban Chuck E. Cheese location (and I mean "urban"). 1907 is probably just the bar portion...

Keep in mind the green "awning" is just plywood the Asian market that used to be there put up. I'm sure they will either restore the original or install a new piece reminiscient of the time period.

Do we have any other details about this bar?

It may be a hole in the wall type bar with no real improvements being made.

That's what I'm thinking. Metro, anything on the twitter front?

I haven't been able to find anything about this new bar and the sign says opening in April, which leads me to believe not much work is going into the place.

But at least you can stop for a beer after getting your weave!

Get you some pre-weave petrone while you're at it...

Another side note about Uptown 23.

I am a little ashamed to admit this but I stopped in the McD's at 23rd and 235, found out that one needs to be buzzed in and out of their restrooms by the management.

That is the sign of a Big League City!

Another side note about Uptown 23.

I am a little ashamed to admit this but I stopped in the McD's at 23rd and 235, found out that one needs to be buzzed in and out of their restrooms by the management.

That is the sign of a Big League City!

Wow, that doesn't even happen at the McD's on 59th..schiza

I remember looking at a house near there on 21st a few years ago and there seemed to be a lot of homeless along that stretch of 23rd near Broadway.

I suspect Byron's might be a big draw.

When I lived in Detroit, there was a McDonalds with full length bullet-proof glass across the counter. You had to talk into a speaker, slide your money into a tray, and go to the end of the counter to get your food out of a drawer. I was impressed!

When I lived in Atlanta during the Olympics, most places had their bathrooms coin-op either by getting a token when you paid for something, or had to pay with quarters. It kept the riff-raff out though. Most big cities, this is fairly common. I've seen some in San Fran like this as well.

I remember looking at a house near there on 21st a few years ago and there seemed to be a lot of homeless along that stretch of 23rd near Broadway.

I suspect Byron's might be a big draw.

The housing is pretty much nice anymore. It's J-Park, a highly desired area. Byrons is a big draw, as it it is a huge corridor for traffic, thus begging... Ironically, I was at this intersection yesterday afternoon and their was a teenager hawking self drawn portraits of Justin Beiber on the corner. Now we are big league city, we just need window washers in the streets and people selling roses individually on street corners and we've arrived in the big leagues.

Too bad that 1924 Bar isn't in the Tower. I really wish something cool would move into the Tower like a club or dance company. It could be such an amazing space.

Are you familiar with the Tower redevelopment plans or are you expressing doubt about them?


The housing is pretty much nice anymore. It's J-Park, a highly desired area. Byrons is a big draw, as it it is a huge corridor for traffic, thus begging... Ironically, I was at this intersection yesterday afternoon and their was a teenager hawking self drawn portraits of Justin Beiber on the corner. Now we are big league city, we just need window washers in the streets and people selling roses individually on street corners and we've arrived in the big leagues.

Haha. When I "go home" to Houston it's so funny how they will wash your windshield anyway even if you tell them no or even honk..or if the light turns green! It would be hilarious if it weren't so sad. I wish they'd just sell individual roses..

I've always wondered why they all cluster around Byron's. Does the ownership there not do anything about it? Who in their right mind is going to give a beggar some "spare change" right outside a liquor store? Or is it that it's so funny/sad that it's like, "Hell, why not, here's a few quarters for making me laugh" ?

As for toilets, it's pretty rare to find free ones in Northern Europe (ie Sweden/Denmark), for what it's worth. Maybe it's what the civilized world is shifting to these days.

BTW, I didn't mean I thought the area around 23rd & Broadway was bad. I almost bought a house there as an investment property!

Just meant that for a pretty good and rapidly improving area there were an inordinate number of homeless. I'm sure that Micky D's is doing what they can to try and stop them from hanging around their newly re-built business.

I have seen the kid with the portraits for the last couple of months, he has other drawings too, seems to be a decent artist. Also there are two older looking guys that play the guitar on one of the corners there too. They have a sign for donations, I give them some change every now and then. Your right need someone selling flowers, fruit, and washing car windows.

I love this area, frequent Byron's regularly and usually buy my fuel at the On-cue too. I just wish more people could get it up to par, there is no reason that the old retail buildings are vacant between Broadway and Western. Such a high traffic area and good neighborhoods to both the north and south.

What is the problem here?

Airport BBQ is The Salt Lick BBQ, not Oklahoma Station.
The original one in Driftwood is about 10 miles from me.

Oklahoma Station is at NW 50th & Meridian, I used to eat there quite a bit when I lived in the Mayfair West neighborhood.

I have seen the kid with the portraits for the last couple of months, he has other drawings too, seems to be a decent artist. Also there are two older looking guys that play the guitar on one of the corners there too. They have a sign for donations, I give them some change every now and then. Your right need someone selling flowers, fruit, and washing car windows.

I love this area, frequent Byron's regularly and usually buy my fuel at the On-cue too. I just wish more people could get it up to par, there is no reason that the old retail buildings are vacant between Broadway and Western. Such a high traffic area and good neighborhoods to both the north and south.

What is the problem here?

I imagine if the downtown architects and newspaper writers caught wind of the artist guy on the corner by byrons they would charter a helicopter tour for him if he would draw pictures of downtown buildings for them. that would be rad.

Airport BBQ is The Salt Lick BBQ, not Oklahoma Station.

Not talking about that one, further down the concourse. Sort of in a stand alone setup (rather than the fodd court type where Sonic/Salt Lick etc are located). At least it was there, maybe it is gone now.

Not talking about that one, further down the concourse. Sort of in a stand alone setup (rather than the fodd court type where Sonic/Salt Lick etc are located). At least it was there, maybe it is gone now.

I don't remember ever having another food place like that. There has been a retail outlet on the concourse with an Oklahoma theme, however.

The original one in Driftwood is about 10 miles from me.

Oklahoma Station is at NW 50th & Meridian, I used to eat there quite a bit when I lived in the Mayfair West neighborhood.

Yes, their original location. Think they opened up a couple more, know they had opened one out near Sams/Wal-mart on NW Expressway & Council (think it is in a strip mall directly across from the Home Depot). Can't recall where the other one is (if there is one)?

Yes, their original location. Think they opened up a couple more, know they had opened one out near Sams/Wal-mart on NW Expressway & Council (think it is in a strip mall directly across from the Home Depot). Can't recall where the other one is (if there is one)?

According to their website, the location on NW 50th is the only one currently.