I was going to say now that Cabela's has been officially announced it can be added to OKC's column. Looks like its already been done.

That's a rumor much like Trader Joe's. It has not yet been officially announced.

It's Official !!! Cabela's that is.

Tulsa is also getting the first Garage clothing store in Oklahoma at Woodlands Hills ( they're mainly in the east coast and Canada)

Building permit for this store at Penn Square today.

Will be taking 4,218 square feet.

Didn't OKC get the first Bass Pro Shops??

Didn't OKC get the first Bass Pro Shops??

Yes.

Can't believe we left that off. It's now on the list. Thanks.

Surprised that QuikTrip in Tulsa hasn't been mentioned yet and that Pottery Barn came to OKC before tulsa

Surprised that QuikTrip in Tulsa hasn't been mentioned yet and that Pottery Barn came to OKC before tulsa

QuickTrip is a completely different animal because the specifically agreed not to come to OKC in a handshake agreement with the OKC 7/11 franchise owner.

And I'm not sure if we want to get into convenience stores on this list. If we did, we'd have to add a whole most more for both cities.

I do think Reasor's should be listed as a Tulsa exclusive. It's significant and would be in the OKC metro (Edmond) if not for NIMBYs.

Surprised that QuikTrip in Tulsa hasn't been mentioned yet and that Pottery Barn came to OKC before tulsa

QuickTrip is a completely different animal because the specifically agreed not to come to OKC in a handshake agreement with the OKC 7/11 franchise owner.

And I'm not sure if we want to get into convenience stores on this list. If we did, we'd have to add a whole most more for both cities.

I do think Reasor's should be listed as a Tulsa exclusive. It's significant and would be in the OKC metro (Edmond) if not for NIMBYs.went into a Reasors the other day and it really was nothing special. Just a slightly better Homeland.

went into a Reasors the other day and it really was nothing special. Just a slightly better Homeland.

Depends on the store. Some of their older stores, like the one by Grand Lake in Langley, are about the same as a Homeland. There are a few in the Tulsa area that are just slightly better. Their new stores though are pretty nice, like larger Uptown Grocery's and more similar to newer HEB stores in Texas. I've only been to the newer one in Jenks though. Evidently they are planning on building an even nicer one in midtown by Brookside (former Food Pyramid).

Depends on the store. Some of their older stores, like the one by Grand Lake in Langley, are about the same as a Homeland. There are a few in the Tulsa area that are just slightly better. Their new stores though are pretty nice, like larger Uptown Grocery's and more similar to newer HEB stores in Texas. I've only been to the newer one in Jenks though. Evidently they are planning on building an even nicer one in midtown by Brookside (former Food Pyramid).The one I went to was on Harvard... It would be nice to have them here though. More options is never a bad thing.

Does Reasor's have any stores like the Homeland at 18th and Classen or on NW 122nd and May?

The entire Homeland brand suffers because they have so many stores they have just let go to crap despite having a few stores that are pretty decent.

The point of this thread was to compare national retailers and which markets they choose.

Local chains don't really factor into that discussion.

The point of this thread was to compare national retailers and which markets they choose.

Local chains don't really factor into that discussion.

You mean things that factor for Tulsa? (This will probably get deleted by Pete)

The one I went to was on Harvard... It would be nice to have them here though. More options is never a bad thing.


That's not even a real Reasor's store, yet, it is in bad shape. It's one of the former Food Pyramid locations (formerly Albertson's) that Reasor's just bought and is badly in need to a remodel. Reasors kept a couple of the Food Pyramid locations open before they remodeled but closed the one on Peoria in Brookside entirely for a complete remodel. I'm sure once Brookside is back open they will come back and address the other former Food Pyramid stores. That store is nothing even close to the newer suburban Reasor's locations.

You mean things that factor for Tulsa? (This will probably get deleted by Pete)

The reason I started this thread was the "Tulsa always gets everything first" mantra.

Completely off point to discuss OKC having Homeland first or Tulsa having Reasor's first. Going down that road is a whole other discussion and well-covered elsewhere.

Doesn't that make it a defensive resource?

Doesn't that make it a defensive resource?

Actually, was meant to just prove it one way or another.

I think so many people have heard this repeated over and over they just accepted it.

Looks like Tulsa might be getting three outlet malls. This is from Horizon Group who owns the Outlets of Oklahoma City. This is from there annual report page 5.


The final new site is in Tulsa, OK west of downtown at the intersection of I-44 and I-244. The
demographics of the location are very strong and the site has great visibility and access from the
interstate. The tenant community has been very responsive to the market and the site and we are
finalizing agreements with the City of Tulsa for the project.
This project appears to face competition as well; two of the largest outlet developers have
announced sites in the market within the last 90 days. This situation is particularly frustrating since they entered the market after realizing the strong tenant interest in the market based on our
efforts. We will win the competition if the tenants choose the best location since our site is
superior to those of our competitors. Our primary fear is the predatory practices of our larger
competitors, who use their market strength to leverage tenants into inferior sites. We intend to
watch these activities closely. Our plan is to open this center in late summer 2016.

http://www.horizongroup.com/post/sections/5/Files/2013_Annual_Report.pdf

Don't know if it's been mentioned but Tulsa has Belk while OKC doesn't



Looks like Tulsa might be getting three outlet malls. This is from Horizon Group who owns the Outlets of Oklahoma City. This is from there annual report page 5.


The final new site is in Tulsa, OK west of downtown at the intersection of I-44 and I-244. The
demographics of the location are very strong and the site has great visibility and access from the
interstate. The tenant community has been very responsive to the market and the site and we are
finalizing agreements with the City of Tulsa for the project.
This project appears to face competition as well; two of the largest outlet developers have
announced sites in the market within the last 90 days. This situation is particularly frustrating since they entered the market after realizing the strong tenant interest in the market based on our
efforts. We will win the competition if the tenants choose the best location since our site is
superior to those of our competitors. Our primary fear is the predatory practices of our larger
competitors, who use their market strength to leverage tenants into inferior sites. We intend to
watch these activities closely. Our plan is to open this center in late summer 2016.

http://www.horizongroup.com/post/sections/5/Files/2013_Annual_Report.pdf

If the outlet mall(s) in Tulsa indeed happen, Promenade mall is pretty much done tbh.

There is a Belk in Stillwater to it looks like. The one in Tulsa isn't even that nice though.

You open three outlet malls in Tulsa, and the floor will fall out of the mall market. You're going to lose more than just the Promenade (which will eventually fall like Eastland Hills anyway). Neither OKC nor Tulsa can absorb 3 outlet malls without something bad going down.

An outlet mall in Tulsa would work, but I would think putting one in BA would be the best location. It is the fastest growing city not in the OKC metro area. It has great schools, is a great area for families and plenty of land for an outlet mall. South 145th and the Creek turnpike would be a good location. Lots of income in that area.

An outlet mall in Tulsa would work, but I would think putting one in BA would be the best location. It is the fastest growing city not in the OKC metro area. It has great schools, is a great area for families and plenty of land for an outlet mall. South 145th and the Creek turnpike would be a good location. Lots of income in that area.

I would agree, but outlet malls tend to be on major highways just outside of city centers. BA has good stats for any other retail development but there simply isn't that much thru-traffic on Creek Turnpike or 51.

Also, I agree that there's no way in hell Tulsa can support 3 or even 2 outlet malls. And even one would be a bit tricky to pull off. Whereas the market for an outlet in OKC extends over all of western and most of southern OK and in the TX panhandle, Tulsa is "boxed in" by OKC to the west and Branson to the east. It would have to rely on local traffic.

If the outlet mall(s) in Tulsa indeed happen, Promenade mall is pretty much done tbh.

Promenade could be a nice mall and has a good location in between two wealthy areas in midtown and south Tulsa, and only a half mile north of I-44 on busy Yale which has become a major north-south corridor, as well as 41st Street. It needs a makeover like what happened to Penn Square in the 90's which is in a similar location in OKC. Though unlike OKC Utica Square monopolizes the midtown high end retail market, and the Tulsa market likely can't support many more high end retail chains that wouldn't fit into Utica. If Promenade could land an H&M that would be a major shot in the arm as the Dillards anchor there is pretty decent.

As for outlet malls I doubt they move forward with three around Tulsa. One in east Tulsa/BA that serves more of northeast OK into northwest AR, and one somewhere southwest possibly as part of a redevelopment of the Riverwalk Crossing shopping center by the Creeks.

Looks like Tulsa might be getting three outlet malls. This is from Horizon Group who owns the Outlets of Oklahoma City. This is from there annual report page 5.


The final new site is in Tulsa, OK west of downtown at the intersection of I-44 and I-244. The
demographics of the location are very strong and the site has great visibility and access from the
interstate. The tenant community has been very responsive to the market and the site and we are
finalizing agreements with the City of Tulsa for the project.
This project appears to face competition as well; two of the largest outlet developers have
announced sites in the market within the last 90 days. This situation is particularly frustrating since they entered the market after realizing the strong tenant interest in the market based on our
efforts. We will win the competition if the tenants choose the best location since our site is
superior to those of our competitors. Our primary fear is the predatory practices of our larger
competitors, who use their market strength to leverage tenants into inferior sites. We intend to
watch these activities closely. Our plan is to open this center in late summer 2016.

http://www.horizongroup.com/post/sections/5/Files/2013_Annual_Report.pdf
This is a launch visit report where some out of towers visited Tulsa for a day to gather info, take pics, eat somewhere, and leave. "Our site is superior" relates to the interstate location and convenience for long distance "destination" shoppers.

What are the other two proposed sites? Horizon's location may not be as superior as they think, esp since I don't regard that as a great area of Tulsa.

Was there not a state market exclusivity clause when OKC gave Horizon millions of TIF dollars? A lot of the OKC Outlet's business comes from NE Oklahoma. This will cause significant erosion of market share and sales tax performance at the OKC property - AND this is a prime example of the retail extortion game. When you think you're damned if you dont, you end up being just as damned if you do.

A lot of the OKC Outlet's business comes from NE Oklahoma.How do you know?

Yeah I seriously doubt a lot of OKC outlet traffic comes from NE anything. Outlet malls aren't just some amazing deal snatcher like they used to be. You might find some sales sometimes, but really, it's just another mall with stores. The merchandise in it also happens to include a lot of things that didn't sell in other stores, so they consolidate it down. I've seen stuff from Penn Square's Banana Republic go on sale at Penn, and then when it gets down to a few left, it magically shows up at the Outlet store with mates from several other stores to instantly make "stock". So to say someone comes to OKC just to shop at a store (in any significant number) would really require some statistical backup. I'm sure people from OKC go to Tulsa to shop at stores that OKC doesn't have (like in Utica). And I'm sure some people come to OKC from Tulsa/NE for some things too.....but I doubt it would be missed that much if Tulsa opened a similar mall. For OKC, the outlet serves a west OKC market that had nothing and has been growing. And as said, it extends out west. Places like Weatherford/Clinton/Elk City/etc are less than an hour away from the Outlet in OKC. Students at SWOSU come in to OKC for movies and dinner quite often. If you're coming from the north, Penn is closer. South - Norman is closer. East...well take your pick since Heritage Park sucked and it's closed anyway, although you can find quite a bit in Town Center in MWC for normal every day stuff.

NW Tulsa near downtown is NOT a market I would suggest any retailer try to "tap". It's probably the worst location you could pick since it's far away from any of the money. South Tulsa/BA or even head up to Owasso and try to grab overflow from Bartlesville. But near downtown...no way man. Bixby probably would have been a better side of town too. That town has sort of busted recently, but it's better than any choice on the west side.

I'll point out that in OKC, the outlet was built because of a real estate investment in the old Lucent plant. That outlet mall exists because of that purchase, and then the sale off the land from the owners of the plant to the outlet builder (same for Francis Tuttle). Those structures would not have been built had that investment not been made by a group of LOCALS. The timing was good because Westgate had finally started to make ground in construction after a MAJOR bust to the area after losing the Firestone and Lucent plants. Miraculously, both plants have found a new life and have slowly started to get tenants to build things back up. I say all this because it's a reflection of how west OKC was viewed as dead along I-40 for quite a while and anything that was going to happen was going to be Yukon/Mustang. OKC was able to bring some life back into the area and build a new mall in a town at the same time others were closing (heritage/im gonna call crossroads dead given its state). I say all of that because if you're trying to find a similar reasoning of why to build in a dead part of Tulsa (from a shopping perspective), I don't think you're going to see a similar type of renaissance in this area of Tulsa. The population around it is from Sand Springs/Sapulpa, which just doesn't have the same buying power as Mustang/Yukon <-although the bottom hasn't fallen out of their industry like it once had in west okc. Not to mention the population border of Osage County. So I just don't understand their reasoning on why they think their location is so great. I see nothing but reasons why it's NOT the great location they say it is.

I had lunch with the manager of the mall a couple of months ago, and she said they drew quite a bit from outside of the metro, but much of that was western Oklahoma, west Texas, and the Texas panhandle. Makes sense to me because I know from experience that Amarillo, for instance, was already a major source of visitor business for OKC.

Yeah I seriously doubt a lot of OKC outlet traffic comes from NE anything. Outlet malls aren't just some amazing deal snatcher like they used to be. You might find some sales sometimes, but really, it's just another mall with stores. The merchandise in it also happens to include a lot of things that didn't sell in other stores, so they consolidate it down. I've seen stuff from Penn Square's Banana Republic go on sale at Penn, and then when it gets down to a few left, it magically shows up at the Outlet store with mates from several other stores to instantly make "stock". So to say someone comes to OKC just to shop at a store (in any significant number) would really require some statistical backup. I'm sure people from OKC go to Tulsa to shop at stores that OKC doesn't have (like in Utica). And I'm sure some people come to OKC from Tulsa/NE for some things too.....but I doubt it would be missed that much if Tulsa opened a similar mall. For OKC, the outlet serves a west OKC market that had nothing and has been growing. And as said, it extends out west. Places like Weatherford/Clinton/Elk City/etc are less than an hour away from the Outlet in OKC. Students at SWOSU come in to OKC for movies and dinner quite often. If you're coming from the north, Penn is closer. South - Norman is closer. East...well take your pick since Heritage Park sucked and it's closed anyway, although you can find quite a bit in Town Center in MWC for normal every day stuff.

NW Tulsa near downtown is NOT a market I would suggest any retailer try to "tap". It's probably the worst location you could pick since it's far away from any of the money. South Tulsa/BA or even head up to Owasso and try to grab overflow from Bartlesville. But near downtown...no way man. Bixby probably would have been a better side of town too. That town has sort of busted recently, but it's better than any choice on the west side.

I'll point out that in OKC, the outlet was built because of a real estate investment in the old Lucent plant. That outlet mall exists because of that purchase, and then the sale off the land from the owners of the plant to the outlet builder (same for Francis Tuttle). Those structures would not have been built had that investment not been made by a group of LOCALS. The timing was good because Westgate had finally started to make ground in construction after a MAJOR bust to the area after losing the Firestone and Lucent plants. Miraculously, both plants have found a new life and have slowly started to get tenants to build things back up. I say all this because it's a reflection of how west OKC was viewed as dead along I-40 for quite a while and anything that was going to happen was going to be Yukon/Mustang. OKC was able to bring some life back into the area and build a new mall in a town at the same time others were closing (heritage/im gonna call crossroads dead given its state). I say all of that because if you're trying to find a similar reasoning of why to build in a dead part of Tulsa (from a shopping perspective), I don't think you're going to see a similar type of renaissance in this area of Tulsa. The population around it is from Sand Springs/Sapulpa, which just doesn't have the same buying power as Mustang/Yukon <-although the bottom hasn't fallen out of their industry like it once had in west okc. Not to mention the population border of Osage County. So I just don't understand their reasoning on why they think their location is so great. I see nothing but reasons why it's NOT the great location they say it is.

Cliff Notes version of this?

I assure you that the outlet isn't providing local retail to west OKC. While you're debating this there are sales tax receipts that the city has published, given it's own investment in this development.

How do you know?

I talked to an operator at the outlet mall and he said that on weekends there was a good amount of customers from 918 area code. This was a year or two ago though.

Spartan, why would you want a cliff notes version? If a topic can only be discussed in 2 sentence chunks, it's not really worth much discussion is it? Read the novel, you'll do better in class that way.

I'd say urbanized's comments counter your argument. And data that's a few months old is more accurate today than a year or two. I'm not harping on onthestrip, but "good amount" doesn't equate to an actual value. Saying "good amount" can mean that they are seeing more than they expected, but not that it's 25% or something. A report by the city is going to be skewed regardless of what data is given. Do you think they would publish something that would show that it's doing poorly? And I assure you that west OKC is a portion of the income. I don't think in any way that the local residents are providing the majority of sales, but if you had read my entire post, you'd understand why I said the comments about west OKC.

From what I've seen at the Outlet Shops, people come into Okc for doctors apt, school activities, business apt, and then take a few hours and shop before driving back home.

From what I've seen at the Outlet Shops, people come into Okc for doctors apt, school activities, business apt, and then take a few hours and shop before driving back home.

You might be right, but is that just an educated guess or do you have some way of knowing that for sure?

I wish we had the county on our license plates. It sure would make this a lot eaisier! LOL

New upscale outlet mall planned for west Tulsa

Posted: Tuesday, August 19, 2014 11:30 am

By ROBERT EVATT World Business Writer

John Stancavage: Tulsa retail real estate at a premium

OKLAHOMA CITY - Woodland Hills Mall owner Simon Property Group is planning to a build a new upscale outlet mall in west Tulsa, a company official said Tuesday.

Simon Properties’ mall portfolio, announced the project during the International Council of Shopping Centers’ Oklahoma Idea Exchange at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel in Oklahoma City Tuesday.

New upscale outlet mall planned for west Tulsa - Tulsa World: Real Estate (http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/realestate/new-upscale-outlet-mall-planned-for-west-tulsa/article_d0d515f2-2a8c-5a73-bcc6-45b82337244e.html)

If they say its going to be like the Allen outlet then its going to suck. It's literally a giant strip mall wrapped around a massive parking lot.

No, the OKC outlet is not some masterpiece, but the Allen stores is such a massive fail.

If they say its going to be like the Allen outlet then its going to suck. It's literally a giant strip mall wrapped around a massive parking lot.

No, the OKC outlet is not some masterpiece, but the Allen stores is such a massive fail.I think over time it will become better. There is potential to make our outlet mall really nice. The surrounding streetscapes need to be rebuilt and the interchange needs to be replaced.

And now you have this from the company that owns the one in OKC.

http://horizongroup.com/Post/sections/3/Files/tulsa%20LOW.pdf

If they say its going to be like the Allen outlet then its going to suck. It's literally a giant strip mall wrapped around a massive parking lot.

No, the OKC outlet is not some masterpiece, but the Allen stores is such a massive fail.

And it is so hard just to get into, that is why we never went back down once the OKC outlet mall opened. At least with the OKC outlet mall, you park on the outside and do all the walking up and down a couple of rows. With the one in Allen, you have drive through a sea of people going from one store to another where there is only four exits out of the interior part of the parking lot.

And now you have this from the company that owns the one in OKC.

http://horizongroup.com/Post/sections/3/Files/tulsa%20LOW.pdf

Market saturation. If this one opens in BA and they both have similar stores, one will end up failing and I think it will be the one on 75 since BA is growing more.

It's going closer to Catoosa then BA. Premium outlets coming to Oklahoma is a big deal. They have a major pull in the retail industry. They are in just about every major market. The only way two outlets will work in Tulsa is if the one on 44 is just like the one in Oklahoma City. And the one on 75 has more premium anchors which will be easy for Simon. To make things more confusing Tanger outlet is marketing Tulsa also. I have no idea where they are wanting to locate in the metro. Tulsa is the most underserved market in the country for outlets that's why everybody is trying to move in. We will see what happens.

It's going closer to Catoosa then BA. Premium outlets coming to Oklahoma is a big deal. They have a major pull in the retail industry. They are in just about every major market. The only way two outlets will work in Tulsa is if the one on 44 is just like the one in Oklahoma City. And the one on 75 has more premium anchors which will be easy for Simon. To make things more confusing Tanger outlet is marketing Tulsa also. I have no idea where they are wanting to locate in the metro. Tulsa is the most underserved market in the country for outlets that's why everybody is trying to move in. We will see what happens.We will see. If two outlet malls happen in Tulsa, it will be a fun show to watch. All I'm going to say on that.

Let me also add this since some people know I don't like Tulsa and understand I'm not just trying to bash Tulsa by that statement, I don't even think OKC could support two outlet malls, and OKC is larger and growing much faster than Tulsa.

I see the Fresh Market coming to Edmond but no location given. With the construction going on at the shopping center at 33rd and Blvd, I'll bet that is were its going. Just saying it looks like it would fit the style of the remodel.

Any chance of more stores being built at our outlet mall. Would love to have a Pendelton and an Eddie Bauer outlet store here.

We will see. If two outlet malls happen in Tulsa, it will be a fun show to watch. All I'm going to say on that.

Let me also add this since some people know I don't like Tulsa and understand I'm not just trying to bash Tulsa by that statement, I don't even think OKC could support two outlet malls, and OKC is larger and growing much faster than Tulsa.

By "some people", you mean you.


Anyway,

Interesting that each of these is just a few miles from each of the two major casinos. The Horizon one at 129th and Admiral (a really horrible part of town btw) is just four miles down I-44 from Hard Rock and Simon's is about four miles from River Spirit (Margaritaville). The Horizon location has more highway traffic, the Simon location is in the booming new retail area, just a mile from Tulsa Hills/The Walk at Tulsa Hills.

By "some people", you mean you.


Anyway,

Interesting that each of these is just a few miles from each of the two major casinos. The Horizon one at 129th and Admiral (a really horrible part of town btw) is just four miles down I-44 from Hard Rock and Simon's is about four miles from River Spirit (Margaritaville). The Horizon location has more highway traffic, the Simon location is in the booming new retail area, just a mile from Tulsa Hills/The Walk at Tulsa Hills.What? I do mean me.... that's why I specifically went out and made that statement.

Go back to talking smack on OKC at city data and Tulsa Now. Meanwhile put your fake face on for the people of OKCTalk. Yes, I am a member of other forums and funny enough, I've defended Tulsa multiple times from people talking smack and saying things that weren't true of Tulsa. I speak the truth and when the truth hurts, well, people start to hate.

I know it has been rumored that the Creeks were interested in adding an outlet retail component to Riverwalk Crossing which they now own. I imagine they will have to rethink that idea. It is too bad that one of these isn't going in there as it has potential to be more than just a shopping center with the river trails, movie theater and residential already in place. The Creeks have stated they want to eventually connect the casino/hotel across the river to Riverwalk with a boat shuttle once a low water dam is built in that area.

http://gtrnews.com/greater-tulsa-reporter/12756/muscogee-creek-nation-embraces-river

I know it has been rumored that the Creeks were interested in adding an outlet retail component to Riverwalk Crossing which they now own. I imagine they will have to rethink that idea. It is too bad that one of these isn't going in there as it has potential to be more than just a shopping center with the river trails, movie theater and residential already in place. The Creeks have stated they want to eventually connect the casino/hotel across the river to Riverwalk with a boat shuttle once a low water dam is built in that area.

GTR Newspapers | Find Local Tulsa, Bixby, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Union, and Owasso News, Sports, and Entertainment:Muscogee (Creek) Nation Embraces River (http://gtrnews.com/greater-tulsa-reporter/12756/muscogee-creek-nation-embraces-river)what would really be cool--and I know this has about a zero chance of happening--would be a tram that goes underwater in a glass tunnel. That would sure be something.

It's going closer to Catoosa then BA. Premium outlets coming to Oklahoma is a big deal. They have a major pull in the retail industry. They are in just about every major market. The only way two outlets will work in Tulsa is if the one on 44 is just like the one in Oklahoma City. And the one on 75 has more premium anchors which will be easy for Simon. To make things more confusing Tanger outlet is marketing Tulsa also. I have no idea where they are wanting to locate in the metro. Tulsa is the most underserved market in the country for outlets that's why everybody is trying to move in. We will see what happens.

Tanger, yuk. Welcome to the lowest quality of all outlet malls.

From the Tulsaworld.com:

Planned Tulsa outlet malls could be competing for city incentives, tenants
Two planned outlet malls are vying for city incentives and tenants.

Two possible outlet malls, one east and one west, from developers with their eyes on Tulsa are seeking city incentives to build.

One development, pitched by Michigan-based Horizon Group Properties for a location in east Tulsa, has been in planning stages for at least a year.

Jim Coles, economic development coordinator, confirmed the company has filed an application for a Tax Increment Finance District that is currently under city review.

Another development, announced Tuesday by Simon Property Group, is planning to build in west Tulsa, at the northeast corner of 61st Street and U.S. 75.

Coles said the city has received no application for a tax district for the west Tulsa project.

Both developers have been courting city officials, apparently seeking incentives to locate in Tulsa.

City Councilor Skip Steele said Horizon Group Properties has made two presentations to city officials in the last six months about locating a high-end outlet mall at Interstate 44 and 129th East Avenue.

Here is the rest of the article: Planned Tulsa outlet malls could be competing for city incentives, tenants - Tulsa World: Local (http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/local/planned-tulsa-outlet-malls-could-be-competing-for-city-incentives/article_af703331-fcbc-5c2c-a3a5-a1eecb539550.html)

It will be interesting if the City of Tulsa only approves one TIF district for an outlet mall. The location for the one on 75 has a lot of people up in arms and demanding that the city not approve it because it is adjacent to the Turkey Mountain wilderness area.

Tulsa is getting a Gander Mountain first :/ Hopefully an OKC location will soon be announced.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/employment/gander-mountain-to-employ-at-new-store-at-the-walk/article_ee6dca1f-0027-53dc-a8a3-499b25255cef.html

^ Is that the right link?

^ Is that the right link?
No, I fixed it. Thanks for the heads up.

I thought this was pretty interesting, from the Journal Record

Shopping for space: Chamber website helps retailers find the perfect spot

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record November 10, 2014

OKLAHOMA CITY – Stores searching for the best location in the city can be overwhelmed by its size, and they may not know which neighborhoods would best serve their business. That’s where the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber’s new retail website can help.

The site, okcretail.com, offers descriptions of neighborhoods such as the Plaza District and regional districts like the Interstate 240 corridor, and even success stories like Keith and Heather Paul from A Good Egg Dining Group. The information includes details such as nearby universities, average annual income and nearby major employers.

Chamber Retail Development and Recruitment Manager Tammy Fate said the site shows that the city and the chamber are proactively recruiting retail. With many cities’ budgets based solely on sales tax, getting those revenue-generating venues helps create growth, she said.

The site also has a property search tool powered by the real estate data tracking company Xceligent. The chamber uses the same tool on its GreaterOklahomaCity.com site. Businesses can search for retail spaces by size or property type, and even look for buildings or empty sites. They can find properties that may not be along the Northwest Expressway or near Quail Springs Mall.

“The whole map shows where those pockets are, from what’s happening at a big-box standpoint, but also smaller, local businesses as well,” Fate said.

Once someone finds a property, the site has the broker’s information, or the potential tenant can use the broker and developer list to learn more about properties as well.

CB Richard Ellis of Oklahoma Vice President Stuart Graham said he thinks the site will provide a starting point for people looking into the market.

“(Brokers) probably won’t send them back there, but hopefully they come to us with preliminary knowledge of what might be available,” Graham said.

He said a broker could then talk about properties he knows about, but might not be on the website because they are not officially available yet.

Graham said the site helps future businesses see how friendly the retail market is in Oklahoma City.

“I think any time you make retail property readily available to the marketplace, that’s a good thing,” he said. “I think that’s another positive step on the chamber’s part to make data more readily available to retailers.”

Since the chamber is using the Xceligent information, cities in The Greater Oklahoma City Partnership can use the property locator on their economic development sites as well. Edmond Economic Development Authority Associate Director Toni Weinmeister said she’s able to see that the property-finding tool gets about 50 views a month. A previous property finding tool had much fewer views than that, she said.

“We’re so grateful that through the Oklahoma City partnership we’re able to get that on the website as well,” she said. “I know that’s one of the top things that people look at on our site.”

Oklahoman has a story on this today;

Why some major retailers pick Tulsa over Oklahoma City | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/article/5380820)


Tulsa’s higher income levels gave it the edge over Oklahoma City for Costco, said Richard Webb, senior vice president for Costco Wholesale Corp. Representatives from the company scouted locations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, he said.

“The demographics in Tulsa are a lot more appealing to me,” Webb said. “Some of the things that makes us successful are incomes greater than $65,000 and incomes between $65,000 and $100,000. Tulsa outdoes Oklahoma City on both of those figures.”

Tulsa also has more of a big-city feel than Oklahoma City, Webb said.

“It seems more like the Dallas or Austin areas of Texas — more cosmopolitan, less rural,” he said.

Some of those quotes seem a bit stupid to be saying publicly if they have not written this market off.

Webb totally insulted Oklahoma City with his comments. You can't argue that the demographics are better in Tulsa but to say that Tulsa feels more like a real, cosmopolitan city than OKC does is very harsh. He is pretty much playing to the national stereotype that OKC is basically a backwater cowtown. It does go to show that outside perception does matter though if it's a factor in getting retail and OKC still has work to do. I wonder how many other retailers have passed OKC up for the same reason? This city easily has the worst retail options for a city it's size anywhere, from upscale all the way down to grocery stores. What can OKC do to improve this?

After hearing those comments I wonder if Costco is even interested in the OKC market at all, or if they think themselves too good for this town and will stick to "real" cities like Tulsa, Wichita, and Jackson MS. </sarcasm>