8/14/14
Grand Opening 10AM. See gallery below for additional recent photos and store layout.

West Elm OKC Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/westelmokc?fref=ts)
Grand Opening Event on Facebook
(https://www.facebook.com/events/322000071309051/?fref=ts)

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/westelm080614.jpg

4/7/14
$800,000 building permit for OKC's first West Elm store, to be located in the vacant space directly west of Anrthropolgie.

They will be taking just over 11,000 square feet.

For those that didn't know, West Elm is part of the Williams Sonoma family of retailers which also features Pottery Barn and it's numerous variations.

West Elm features simple, modern home furnishing and accessories. They had previously announced a store for Utica Square in Tulsa to open next fall. I expect this store to be on a similar timeline to be open before the holiday season.

Glimcher out of Ohio bought Classen Curve, Triangle at Classen Curve and Nichols Hills Plaza about a month ago from Chesapeake Energy. At that time, they said they planned to agressively pursue new tenants, and this is the first confirmed new signing.



http://www.westelm.com/

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/westelm1.jpg

My wallet is crying...

Yeah, no doubt. I normally don't get too excited about national retailers (what I can't buy from locally-based places I usually buy online these days), but this one I will admit makes me pretty happy. I've made trips to Dallas specifically to go to the Mockingbird Station location. This and a Container Store and I'm good.

Well, Crate and Barrel would be OK too. And Nordstrom. And Restoration Hardware. But after that, I'm done.

LOVE West Elm.

Well, Design Within Reach would be good. And Ikea. And this thermos. And this chair. That's all I need.

Yes

That's a good catch for OKC! When the new owners bought the properties, someone told me that they took a swing at the design. I don't remember specifically reading reports of the sale but can someone confirm that the new owner said something about it's going to be success despite some design troubles (or something along those lines?). Nobody around here is very outspoken about anything negative regarding Rand's designs. But the new ownership is out of state. I'm really interested. Does anyone know?

BTW, there is a total of 15,000 square feet in that building so there will be at least one more tenant space.

I'm assuming that Tulsa has a West Elm already right? I mean there is no way that Okc gets something first, especially of this quality. :wink:

What intrigues me the most is the land between that space and 63rd. Also the land across Grand. Have there been any transactions on thse, Pete? I am thinking last I heard they were not yet a part of the other deals.

What intrigues me the most is the land between that space and 63rd. Also the land across Grand. Have there been any transactions on thse, Pete? I am thinking last I heard they were not yet a part of the other deals.

Glimcher bought all the vacant land between the Triangle and NH Plaza except the two lots directly north of Whole Foods along Western.

They also bought the parcel that was the site of the old Kensington Apartments, which is on the west side of Grand.

Oh, great news.

Well, Crate and Barrel would be OK too. And Nordstrom. And Restoration Hardware. But after that, I'm done.No Trader Joes? ;)

BTW, there is a total of 15,000 square feet in that building so there will be at least one more tenant space.

Where is that extra 4,000 square feet of retail space? Between WE and Anthro?

I'm sure my girlfriend will love this.

That's a good catch for OKC! When the new owners bought the properties, someone told me that they took a swing at the design. I don't remember specifically reading reports of the sale but can someone confirm that the new owner said something about it's going to be success despite some design troubles (or something along those lines?). Nobody around here is very outspoken about anything negative regarding Rand's designs. But the new ownership is out of state. I'm really interested. Does anyone know?

This would be very interesting to read. I hate how the whole thing is laid out. I wonder if the new owners would look at a redo or just make do and fix the new things as they're added?

Well, Design Within Reach would be good. And Ikea. And this thermos. And this chair. That's all I need.

like

Where is that extra 4,000 square feet of retail space? Between WE and Anthro?

Not sure.

Yeah, Ikea was of course a bit of humor; probably the least likely of everything I mentioned, and definitely could not locate anywhere in this location. They make Sam's Clubs look small and cozy.

Good news. Crate & Barrel would be even better. Does Little Rock have one? Wichita?

:p

Good news. Crate & Barrel would be even better. Does Little Rock have one? Wichita?

:p

Closest Crate & Barrel's are in the Dallas, Kansas City and St Louis areas.

Really great news. When the Tulsa store was announced, I was hoping Oklahoma City would follow.

What's interesting is that there are only 3 West Elm locations in all of Texas, yet they are opening two in Oklahoma.

There are also only two in L.A., one in Orange County and one in San Diego.


I'm sure the fact the neighboring Anthropologie and Whole Foods are both doing so well will help Glimcher land other upscale, national retailers.

Closest Crate & Barrel's are in the Dallas, Kansas City and St Louis areas.

Sorry. Another inside joke.

I'm overly joyous about West Elm coming and am not meaning to completely overlook them entering our beloved market, but the topic of Crate & Barrel has me curious. What are the chances Crate & Barrel comes to OKC?

Good news. Crate & Barrel would be even better. Does Little Rock have one? Wichita?

:p

Little Rock has a Container Store.

I'm overly joyous about West Elm coming and am not meaning to completely overlook them entering our beloved market, but the topic of Crate & Barrel has me curious. What are the chances Crate & Barrel comes to OKC?

+1. When they announced Tulsa a couple of months ago I thought it may end up being yet another instance of a covetted retailer opting out of OKC for Tulsa. Glad to see that isn't the case with this one.

Trader Joe's is what I'm most excited about, if and when that is announced.

West Elm is a good get....not the upper scale, but a good get otherwise. Good design for moderate prices.

+1. When they announced Tulsa a couple of months ago I thought it may end up being yet another instance of a covetted retailer opting out of OKC for Tulsa. Glad to see that isn't the case with this one.

Trader Joe's is what I'm most excited about, if and when that is announced.
But it was announced for Tulsa first. An obvious blow to OKC's reputation as both a city and a destination for retailers to invest in.

I'm about to save a lot on shipping!

I'm assuming that Tulsa has a West Elm already right? I mean there is no way that Okc gets something first, especially of this quality. :wink:

West Elm just hasn't figured out how much better Tulsa is than OKC yet, they'll come around.....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

+1. When they announced Tulsa a couple of months ago I thought it may end up being yet another instance of a covetted retailer opting out of OKC for Tulsa. Glad to see that isn't the case with this one.

Trader Joe's is what I'm most excited about, if and when that is announced.

I will second that. I come on here daily with the hope that the TJ's has officially been announced.

I like West Elm. It's a great resource for the "no longer want mom and dad's old furniture and ready to have my apartment look like I thought about it" people.

Also because it's just about as good as stuff that costs twice as much.

Moved a bunch of posts to here:

IKEA coming to OKC? - OKCTalk (http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=IKEA+coming+to+OKC)

I admit, I also come on here everyday to see if Pete or anybody has news of a TJs. West elm is good, maybe that area will become more urban and upscale. That would be the day.

Brianna Bailey's update.

http://www.oklahoman.com/article/4012514?embargo=1

Here are more details on this store.

Note the Market / Coffee area on the east side (to the right on the plans) of the store. This will open to the outdoor patio between West Elm and Anthropologie.





http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/retail-services/7529d1397747689-west-elm-westelm2.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/retail-services/7534d1397748634-west-elm-westelm.jpg



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http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/retail-services/7535d1397749791-west-elm-westelm8.jpg

They didn't waste any time...

This store opens a week from today, 8/14 at 10AM.

The Tulsa store in Utica Square will open near the end of this month.

Thanks to warreng88 for the photos:


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/retail-services/8879d1407378808-west-elm-we080614a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/retail-services/8880d1407378809-west-elm-we080614b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/retail-services/8881d1407378810-west-elm-we080614c.jpg

While taking the pics last night, I was joking with my wife that if it were my building, you would be able to tell there was a ways to go because you can see the exposed wiring coming down from the ceiling. Not so much with West Elm, Anthro, UO, etc... She also asked when I get my residual check for taking all these pictures :)

Interesting... so we're technically getting it first. :)

A few more as they are busy stocking up.

The first photo is the entrance to the covered patio between West Elm and Anthropology; WE will have a small cafe with outdoor seating here.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/we080714b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/we080714a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/we080714c.jpg

Just taken... They open on Thursday at 10AM:



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/westelm081214a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/westelm081214b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/westelm081214c.jpg

West Elm makes its Oklahoma City debut | News OK (http://newsok.com/west-elm-makes-its-oklahoma-city-debut/article/5199774)

The had a pre-opening VIP event last night. I'll post some photos in a bit.

The pre-opening event was packed my wife went and said it was a great looking store though. Good addition to OKC.

For some odd reason, they decided to completely delete the cafe and adjacent outdoor patio area.

The cafe and patio were clearly shown on their original building permit, but for some reason they changed their minds.

Big waste of the great covered patio between this store and Anthropologie.

Right on que I got a catalog from the yesterday that stated.. NOW OPEN west elm OKC and 15% off.

Yeah, I checked West Elm out yesterday and was shocked by what a shame it is that the patio isn't being utilized. Hopefully that is a second phase implementation? It is great space.

A good option would be to get some tables out there and get a food truck to set up outside the store. Split the cost with Anthropologie and see what happens. It is such a huge space and it is a shame it is going to waste.

Went today. Like it much better than the Dallas store at Mockingbird Station. It was weird, though, when I asked the host about the cafe. He looked at me like I was from Mars. Then, he caught himself and said he "had heard about some kind of restaurant" opening adjacent to the building. It was really weird, because the NewsOK article made a big deal about the cafe and the people working at West Elm were clueless about it.

Nice addition.. but overall furniture it pretty cheap quality with expensive price tag.

Apparently the opening blew away West Elm's expectations, and ranked third in company history behind Chelsea (NYC) and Toronto openings. I also heard a ridiculously large sales number for the two hour VIP event last Wednesday, but it probably would be inappropriate for me to share here. Nevertheless, OKC was apparently a corporate afterthought for them before they opened and now...not so much.

Certainly likely to help Gilmcher's leasing effort at CC/Triangle/NHP.

As usual. Anthropologie has been significantly outperforming expectations since they opened as well. Those two stores and Whole Foods are probably very synergistic. Imagine if the whole triangle were developed, linked to the Curve and the Plaza. You'd have a not so poor man's Highland Park.

That's good to know. I'm glad we waited to stop by, sounds like it was pretty packed for the opening.

Could portend well for a Rejuvenation (http://www.rejuvenation.com/), which would probably be an excellent fit in this market, long on Craftsman Bungalow and traditional housing stock.

Glad to hear, but not surprised, this has been quite successful.

Don't quote me on this, but someone told me OKC is a top 10-15 furniture market by per capita sales volume. I'm sure the activity from Mathis Bros. has helped, but interesting nonetheless if true.

Not surprised this is a huge success.
But when will the new to the area national retailers learn that OKC should never be an afterthought? The numbers are starting to stack up to prove that OKC is a unique market that is under served.

Apparently the opening blew away West Elm's expectations, and ranked third in company history behind Chelsea (NYC) and Toronto openings. I also heard a ridiculously large sales number for the two hour VIP event last Wednesday, but it probably would be inappropriate for me to share here. Nevertheless, OKC was apparently a corporate afterthought for them before they opened and now...not so much.

Certainly likely to help Gilmcher's leasing effort at CC/Triangle/NHP.

Urbanized, doesn't the Chamber have a retail recruiter? Is it possible for them to compile and share this data with other retailers? We knew this would work. So would Crate & Barrel, Costco, and Trader Joe's, to name a few. OKC has arrived and every new retail opening is a mad dash because this is an underserved metro. Times have changed. Any way to get on the radar with these folks?