We now have the full story on this project, previously titled SOJU and to be located at 312 NW 23rd.


The restaurant will be named Daebak K and which will serve Korean BBQ where patrons can participate in grilling /cooking their meal (ingredients are pre-prepared by staff and patrons have the option to cook themselves or have staff fully prepare). There will also be a rooftop terrace with a bar and seating area facing 23rd street as well a a front patio.

The business partners in this venture are Truong Le and Nam Nguyen from the amazing Guernsey Park restaurant, along with Vincent Le and Tai Nguyen.

Architect is Ken Fitzsimmons of TASK Design who also is doing the work on the slick Guyutes restaurant and bar.

Target date to open is late 2014 early 2015.

Please note selections for colors and interior finishes are in progress.



http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/7186d1396020003-daebak-k-daebak8.jpg



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



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

I feel like I'm too old to really enjoy this district OR maybe it's that I don't have enough disposable income to enjoy it, but things are really coming along nicely for 23rd!

There's a slew of empty lots on the south side of 23rd between Walker and Hudson that would really make this district much more vibrant if they are to be developed. Any news on those?

Those lots are parking for the Tower Theater.

Those lots are parking for the Tower Theater.

So, the lot hasn't been used in a long long time.

Correct, those old Tower Theater lots are overgrown and barely resemble paved parking.

However, I doubt they would ever be developed separate from a Tower renovation.

That would be a great place for a future parking garage with retail on the bottom. Its a big enough site with a split in the median to allow for west bound cars to enter. Just saying..... If I were to put a parking garage on 23rd street to accomodate all of the growth... that might be the place...

That would be a great place for a future parking garage with retail on the bottom. Its a big enough site with a split in the median to allow for west bound cars to enter. Just saying..... If I were to put a parking garage on 23rd street to accomodate all of the growth... that might be the place...

I think Curt is on to something. Let me guess, Pete, Tower Theater owners own those lots too huh? So like the theater, they're just sitting on them...

Perfect space for a new concept but parking is definitely becoming an issue in this area. The owner of the lot west of granddad's and east of cheevers has begun towing cars on weekends. He owns the hair supply store and is really upsetting patrons and business owners alike by towing everyone parked in his lot. By taking away those 30 or so spots, it leaves cheevers with a lot too small to accommodate, not to mention the limited parking for granddads, backyard BBQ, and tuckers. Any more growth in this area is going to make this even worse and I haven't seen any plans for additional parking.

Thanks for the heads up. I usually park in that lot. He really needs to put a sign up that says it's a private lot. Does he also own the lot north of the alley?

North of the alley is owned by the city and is public. The guy literally put the signs up last week and is towing everyone on Friday and Saturday nights.

Don't know the man, but (a) it is his property and (b) I doubt he ever signed on, or has any reason to sign on, as defacto free parking for someone else's businesses, even if they are quality businesses.

Oh, he's free to do as he pleases, but there was no indication until a week ago as to who owned the lot. Also, his business closes at 7:00. He's not doing anything other than upsetting his neighbors by having their customers towed. If there is a sign up now, he's free to tow. The last time in the lot (maybe three weeks ago?) there were no signs - there were also none of his customers parked there because his store had been closed for two hours.

The neighboring businesses should approach him with the idea of paying a small fee for the right for their patrons to use his lot after hours.

That way, everybody wins.

Exactly. This seems like a guy who is upset the neighborhood is changing without his permission. A smart business man would see this as a potentially lucrative opportunity. He could, either, have Cheever's and Granddad's pay him a fee, or, just set the lot up as a pay lot and offer validation to his customers.

I've shopped in his store - but I didn't drive over there to do that. I parked in his lot, and while waiting for a table at Cheever's, my wife made some purchases she would have otherwise made at a place like Ulta. That's how districts work.

Exactly. This seems like a guy who is upset the neighborhood is changing without his permission. A smart business man would see this as a potentially lucrative opportunity. He could, either, have Cheever's and Granddad's pay him a fee, or, just set the lot up as a pay lot and offer validation to his customers.

I've shopped in his store - but I didn't drive over there to do that. I parked in his lot, and while waiting for a table at Cheever's, my wife made some purchases she would have otherwise made at a place like Ulta. That's how districts work.

I don't know the history here but maybe he did ask for a fee and was told no or they couldn't agree on a price which is why he is towing now. Not saying that is the case here but there are always two sides to a story. Although he may not be using the lot after hours, it still puts wear and tear on his lot and also cleaning the lot. Everyone has their reasons whether it makes good sense or not.

There is so much to this deal that no one knows. Signs are posted, he closes at 8pm...he's not a bad guy. Cheever's does pay him monthly for the north lot, which he also owns. We have been paying on this lot for 10 years and have been happy with it...very fair. Communication is key...

I've had this discussion with many folks over the years owing to my years in Bricktown - and at times it has even engendered some hard feelings between me and a close friend or two - but simply put, parking stress is the sign of a succeeding urban district, and "easy" parking usually only happens in places where people don't want to be. This is especially true in a car-centric city where many if not most people are driving from elsewhere to utilize a district.

These issues will work themselves out. People will strike deals such as the one suggested above. People driving from outside will come to terms with either paying to park or (heaven forbid) actually WALKING a block or two. People will move close to the areas where they want to hang out. Transportation options will improve (streetcar) or already HAVE improved (Uber, Flywheel, anyone?).

The main thing is, we will start to function more like a dense urban city functions, and less like a suburb (I'm not a suburb hater, but suburban-style development and expectations don't fit well into true urban environments). Hopefully these districts will learn from the Bricktown experience and avoid letting parking drive development (Lower BT). Either way, a culture change is in order, and already underway.

There is so much to this deal that no one knows. Signs are posted, he closes at 8pm...he's not a bad guy. Cheever's does pay him monthly for the north lot, which he also owns. We have been paying on this lot for 10 years and have been happy with it...very fair. Communication is key...

That's good to know. Thanks for the info.

The new parking behind The Rise will probably help the area a lot.

The owner is simply [B]hostily[B] defending his ownership of the property. Before you freak out and get all up in arms, look up adverse possession law and understand the definition of hostile possession. Rights of ownership are at stake. More to the point, is it fair that this guy has paid for the lot and pays taxes on it as well and others use it for free? I contend that the Grandad's folks are the actual assholes in this situation by virtue of complete ignorance an unwarranted sense of entitlement to use another's property without recompense just because it's there.

I'm intimately familiar with adverse possession. Knowing he has signs up, I don't have a problem with him towing cars. The signs are new. He's still missing a chance to make some money on his lot. I'd pay to park there.

The owner is simply hostily[B] defending his ownership of the property. Before you freak out and get all up in arms, look up adverse possession law and understand the definition of hostile possession. Rights of ownership are at stake. More to the point, is it fair that this guy has paid for the lot and pays taxes on it as well and others use it for free? [B]I contend that the Grandad's folks are the actual assholes in this situation by virtue of complete ignorance an unwarranted sense of entitlement to use another's property without recompense just because it's there.

This seems a bit harsh.

Is it bad that it actually makes me a little happy that there are fights over limited parking in this district that was almost completely dead less than five years ago? ;)

Not at all!

No one is rooting against uptown. The promise of this part of town was heavily considered when I bought my house. I'm really excited to see something might be happening soon with this lot east of Tucker's.

This seems a bit harsh.

5058

Not really.

Goodness.

Waffle Champion is experiencing similar issues in Midtown. Like I said - though it seems counterintuitive at first glance - it's a sign of an area that is succeeding. Unfortunately for many years in OKC's seminal entertainment district, parking challenges were interpreted as failure, and it led to a number of overreactions.

We now have the benefit of hindsight, and hopefully emerging districts can avoid those same mistakes as their popularity and densities increase.

Waffle Champion is experiencing similar issues in Midtown. Like I said - though it seems counterintuitive at first glance - it's a sign of an area that is succeeding. Unfortunately for many years in OKC's seminal entertainment district, parking challenges were interpreted as failure, and it led to a number of overreactions.

We now have the benefit of hindsight, and hopefully emerging districts can avoid those same mistakes as their popularity and densities increase.

What should be done to help ensure these areas continue to succeed? Leave it to work itself out? Parking garage? Redo 23rd? Neighborhood parking?

The best thing that can happen, here and elsewhere, is for peeps to adjust their thinking

From:
I ain't going to X if I can't park at/near the entrance

To:
I wanna be at X tonight and if it means walking a block, well, it's worth it.

What should be done to help ensure these areas continue to succeed? Leave it to work itself out? Parking garage? Redo 23rd? Neighborhood parking?I just wouldn't really worry too much about. Build a few parking garages in the area, but people really ought to learn to walk a little. One thing I can understand is not knowing an area and wanting to stray too far away from your vehicle.

What should be done to help ensure these areas continue to succeed? Leave it to work itself out? Parking garage? Redo 23rd? Neighborhood parking?

I think in the case of the 23rd street corridor, there is already tons of parking in the area. In fact I would love to see some of it go away, courtesy infill. But what is there is not even halfway utilized. One of the best things that could happen is for the street to be made safer and more appealing for pedestrians, so that walking a bit or even across the street becomes a more attractive option for them.

Also, a thoughtful approach to mixed use development that varies the times that people are there (rather than clumping them there all at once) will help greatly. That way demand will be spread out during the day. It appears The Rise is developing in this way.

It's going to be hard to control traffic volumes during business hours because of how much traffic the Capital brings. Walkability of this area is going to depend on how well they place a barrier between the developments and the streets. I would almost be for the removal of the 23rd parking and extending the curb all the way out and lining the street with trees and short shrubs.

5058

Not really.

I'd love to spin this any good way possible…but that's written by the president of the Uptown 23rd District Association…

Just way unprofessional given the position that the Seals are in. Very very disappointed in them.

Just as the lot owner has the right to sign his property as he elects, so does the owner of Grandad's.

I don't have to agree with the position, or even patronize a place, to support an owner's right to make a business decision.

I'd love to spin this any good way possible…but that's written by the president of the Uptown 23rd District Association…

Just way unprofessional given the position that the Seals are in. Very very disappointed in them.

I thought the same thing. They are really good folks; I think this just shows a high level of frustration.

But you're right, running/revitalizing a district requires a deft touch. Believe it or not, no matter how good it seems things are going, there are always going to be around 20% of property owners who are "aginners" or uncooperative. This is an established Main Street truism. If you're accepting a role as a district leader, your job is to continue try to win those folks over, not to drive the wedge further, no matter how difficult those folks may be. This is especially challenging for people who are also running businesses, who are personally invested, and potentially harmed by the actions of an "aginner".

Just as the lot owner has the right to sign his property as he elects, so does the owner of Grandad's.

I don't have to agree with the position, or even patronize a place, to support an owner's right to make a business decision.

Having the right to do something does not make it the right thing to do.

Informing your customers is one thing…being the president of the district association and then calling another business owner an asshole is another. How could any other business owner on 23rd read that and not question the leadership of Mrs. Seal even if they agree with her.

I just wouldn't really worry too much about. Build a few parking garages in the area, but people really ought to learn to walk a little. One thing I can understand is not knowing an area and wanting to stray too far away from your vehicle.

Build a few parking garages..? First, who is going to build these parking garages? It definitely wont be a private developer as its too expensive and not enough demand to justify. I doubt the city will eminent domain property to build one. Also, you will have tons of backlash from the neighborhoods if there were to be a 4 story parking garage.

It'll basically have to be land owners working out agreements between each other and maybe some coordination with the city on side street parking. But I think the parking garage talk is definitely premature and more likely unnecessary to begin with.

There are quite a few smaller lots all along 23rd and one block north.

Many of them are only used during the day (office buildings, retail, services) and thus would be mostly empty in the evenings when the bar and music scene cranks up.

It's a simple matter of the merchant group getting organized and sharing parking between businesses; perhaps create a shared fund that is allocated in an equitable way.

Lower Greenville in Dallas is very much like this area and there doesn't seem to be an issue with parking behind or next to the stores and walking a block or two to the destination.

Build a few parking garages..? First, who is going to build these parking garages? It definitely wont be a private developer as its too expensive and not enough demand to justify. I doubt the city will eminent domain property to build one. Also, you will have tons of backlash from the neighborhoods if there were to be a 4 story parking garage.

It'll basically have to be land owners working out agreements between each other and maybe some coordination with the city on side street parking. But I think the parking garage talk is definitely premature and more likely unnecessary to begin with.The question was, what do we do about parking. My main answer to that is, not much. Just let the issue go. OKC is is reaching the point to where these businesses won't have to rely people with cars as more urban housing continues. If something had to be done, then I'd say build a 2-3 story parking garage or two and reduce the surface parking.

Like I said, people here should really be encouraged to walk a little ways instead of getting frustrated because they can't park somewhere within five feet of their destination. So really, instead of asking how to solve the parking problem, turn that question into- how do we encourage people to walk further? In all reality, I have yet to experience any kind of parking issue here in OKC. I know they say parking is getting really bad, but I've been to downtown almost any hour of the day and have quickly located a parking space. From what I've heard about San Fran, London, NYC, Berlin and other major cities, we have got it good.

Oklahoma: I better have the ability to park right in front of my destination or this city has a real parking problem going on here; I also better be the only driver on the highway or we have real traffic issue lol

There are quite a few smaller lots all along 23rd and one block north.

Many of them are only used during the day (office buildings, retail, services) and thus would be mostly empty in the evenings when the bar and music scene cranks up.

It's a simple matter of the merchant group getting organized and sharing parking between businesses; perhaps create a shared fund that is allocated in an equitable way.

Last week I went to Back Door BBQ. There is a pretty sizable lot accessible from the alley that was full. Parked on the street at 24th and Hudson. Not an issue at all.

I hate parking in the lot by the Beauty Place anyway with its crater sized potholes.

I'd love to spin this any good way possible…but that's written by the president of the Uptown 23rd District Association…

Just way unprofessional given the position that the Seals are in. Very very disappointed in them.

Just for clarification, Jenifer Seal is not the President of the Uptown 23rd District, Kurt Shewmaker is.

Having the right to do something does not make it the right thing to do.

Informing your customers is one thing…being the president of the district association and then calling another business owner an asshole is another. How could any other business owner on 23rd read that and not question the leadership of Mrs. Seal even if they agree with her.

Can't say I disagree with her. Look at the condition of Queens Beauty Supply next time you walk by it. That guy is an asshole for being a slum lord.

Having the right to do something does not make it the right thing to do. ...


FWIW, I did not offer any opinion on whether the Grandad's sign was a wise business decision.
They made a choice to draw it up and put it up on their entrance.

Whether it lights consumers up positively or negatively, it's a business decision. They own any consequences which flow from the decision, good or bad.

Just for clarification, Jenifer Seal is not the President of the Uptown 23rd District, Kurt Shewmaker is.

did that change recently?

did that change recently?

Not sure. All the articles I am pulling that show Mrs. Seal as President are from 2012 and all the ones that show Kurt as President are from 2013.

I thought I saw a quote in a write up about the Rise that called her President of some 23rd association. There might be multiple.

There was a recent article about the Rise that called her the chairwoman of Uptown 23rd. It was a misprint, Kurt is the current president of the Uptown 23rd District Association.

Thanks, tillyato!

Still not my favorite course of action, but it's a lot easier to swallow with that information.

The liquor license application for this project comes before the planning commission next Thursday, Dec. 12th.

This will be a 3,320 square foot restaurant called SOJU, which implies it will have a Korean slant (SOJU is a Korean alcoholic beverage).

Troung Le, one of the partners of the very highly regarded Guernsey Park restaurant, is the applicant.

Location is right between Tuckers to the west and Subway to the east. Grandad's and Back Door BBQ are directly across 23rd.



http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5183d1386432440-312-nw-23rd-restaurant-soju1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5184d1386432441-312-nw-23rd-restaurant-soju2.jpg

Awesome! We need a great Korean restaurant in OKC! We have 0! Can't wait!

So is there a way for a pedestrian to access this store without walking in the parking lot?

^

Doesn't look like it but remember this is just a liquor license application; it will still have to go through design review.

BTW, the ABC overlay was approved last month so I would expect to see something to the design committee soon.

Should be another great addition to 23rd Street.

So is there a way for a pedestrian to access this store without walking in the parking lot? I wish. Would be nice if the entire streetfront was patio seating with the building directly behind it and the parking lot behind the building. Glad they're coming, but another suburban design on 23rd.

Please see the article at the top of the page for the full story on this project.

The the thread was formerly titled "SOJU Restaurant" but the official name is Daebak K.

Please see the article at the top of the page for the full story on this project.

The the thread was formerly titled "SOJU Restaurant" but the official name is Daebak K.

What is the pronunciation on that? Day-back K?

Ooh Korean. There is an ethnic food type that is without question underrepresented in OKC.

Sweet, two buildings down from the office.

What is the pronunciation on that? Day-back K?

Yes: DAY-back K.

Awesome!!