We have eaten at SW for years. We mostly go on Wednesday's for Warehouse Wednesday. I am sorry to see them close. The people are always nice to us, and I especially loved the salad and bread. They need to relocate to someplace where you can find a parking easier. Hopefully they will open up again soon.

There goes my yearly free birthday meal. :(
I go there about 2 - 3 times per year, mostly for dinner meeting presentations in the meeting space. It is only OK food but it has normally been busy any time I was there.

So 2 of us ended up going to Zio's. Food is better and about the same price point as SW but what made SW nice was every once in a while they would have coupons in the newspaper. Buy one get one free. Or they would do Groupons. So value wise SW was a great place to go if you had a coupon or groupon. They also used to do the $5.99 Wednesday night spaghetti even with $3 to add sausages $8.99 was a great price. You got bread and salad with that also. So yeah I will miss it as a cheap option to eat before a movie, concert, or thunder game

I didn't see it mentioned anywhere---

What the heck was in the rest of the building? I went once probably 10 years ago and don't recall how high the ceilings are on the first floor.

I didn't see it mentioned anywhere---

What the heck was in the rest of the building? I went once probably 10 years ago and don't recall how high the ceilings are on the first floor.
Basically nothing is in the rest of the building.

We last were there a couple months ago. I always loved the antique and vintage decor as I'm into that sort of thing. I wonder what will happen to all of it. It would be cool if they had a sale or Auction. And what will happen with the old Okc street car that is in the dinning room?.

double post... Sorry.

Hey I'm starting to get curious about something. Anon mentioned some issue that spurred the closing, and I noticed on the footage run on the news that on the front windows of the building were Valentine's Day promotions and a big "NOW HIRING" sign. If you know you're closing Feb 1, why have either of those things on your windows?

Inquiring minds want to know. :)

^

I suspect the hiring sign had been up for a while.

Probably in a continual state of trying to replace staff.

I've always wondered why the upper floors went unused. I'm dating myself again but as an electrician I did quite a bit of work in the building. The structure always impressed me as being very solid. Of course an engineering study would have to be done but I think it would pass with flying colors. The elevator was a different story. It scared the hell out of me. But they hauled much heavier stuff than me in it. The elevator would be irrelevant in a rehab anyway just thought I'd throw that in.

Hey I'm starting to get curious about something. Anon mentioned some issue that spurred the closing, and I noticed on the footage run on the news that on the front windows of the building were Valentine's Day promotions and a big "NOW HIRING" sign. If you know you're closing Feb 1, why have either of those things on your windows?

Inquiring minds want to know. :)

Something smells fishy about the whole thing. I suspect it will be awhile before we know the full story, assuming we ever do, but the fact is nobody just wakes up in the morning and says "You know what? I'm going to close my business forever. Today is the last day". I have to believe if they knew in advance 2/1/2016 was it, there would not have been advertising for Valentine's Day, they would have had ads the entire month of January saying "Get in here while you can".

I've always wondered why the upper floors went unused. I'm dating myself again but as an electrician I did quite a bit of work in the building. The structure always impressed me as being very solid. Of course an engineering study would have to be done but I think it would pass with flying colors. The elevator was a different story. It scared the hell out of me. But they hauled much heavier stuff than me in it. The elevator would be irrelevant in a rehab anyway just thought I'd throw that in.

It was Spaghetti Warehouse's business model to identify potential districts like Bricktown BEFORE they emerged, buy a building for almost nothing, seal off upper floors and put in a restaurant. At their height they were the definition of a destination restaurant. Just like when they first opened in OKC, people would drive in from the 'burbs seven days a week and line up around the block, waiting for an hour and even longer to get in. It's hard for some to imagine these days I suppose.

Anyway, at the time the restaurant was worth far more than the building, and they didn't want to be in real estate development anyway, so they were happy to keep it sealed off. Obviously now that script has flipped completely. The brand isn't worth much, and that building is a potential goldmine in light of recent Bricktown development.

BTW, that original business model extended to all of their markets, and was established when they opened their very first location in what would become Dallas' West End in the early 1970s ('71, IIRC!). Their management at one time was obviously very good at identifying future trends before they were established; too bad they didn't continue to adapt to new trends as they emerged.

Something smells fishy about the whole thing. I suspect it will be awhile before we know the full story, assuming we ever do, but the fact is nobody just wakes up in the morning and says "You know what? I'm going to close my business forever. Today is the last day". I have to believe if they knew in advance 2/1/2016 was it, there would not have been advertising for Valentine's Day, they would have had ads the entire month of January saying "Get in here while you can".

Not fishy at all. Local management would usually be kept in the dark on closing decisions right up until the end, so that they kept bringing in as much profit as possible. Somewhere the OKC location was probably showing up on a spreadsheet as next (or at least high) in line for closure and - if the rumor mentioned above is to be believed - a health department closure over a serious building flaw just accelerated the decision to shutter. "Oh, it's going to cost us $50K to fix the kitchen floor in a store we were planning on closing anyway? And we'd have to close for a few weeks during construction, lose staff in the process, and re-open to no additional business? Decision made. Close it. Call the store manager and give him the news."

Hey I'm starting to get curious about something. Anon mentioned some issue that spurred the closing, and I noticed on the footage run on the news that on the front windows of the building were Valentine's Day promotions and a big "NOW HIRING" sign. If you know you're closing Feb 1, why have either of those things on your windows?

Inquiring minds want to know. :)


I am telling you this wasn't planned (maybe long-term financially, but not sudden February 1st). Some type of inspection or report sparked this sudden closure. I know a lot of workers in Bricktown restaurants and this was a safety issue in the kitchen that had been purposely covered up [literally, a hole] for a long time. Employees found out the same morning everyone else did.

when I saw on the news people were starting to line up to eat there last night I was like. WHAAAT! I mean sudden closure and staff on camera upset of the sudden news and what are they going to do for jobs and people are going to line up to eat there? I mean you know they are going to be short staffed with people walking out on them. you are just asking for a bad experience.

Not fishy at all. Local management would usually be kept in the dark on closing decisions right up until the end, so that they kept bringing in as much profit as possible. Somewhere the OKC location was probably showing up on a spreadsheet as next (or at least high) in line for closure and - if the rumor mentioned above is to be believed - a health department closure over a serious building flaw just accelerated the decision to shutter. "Oh, it's going to cost us $50K to fix the kitchen floor in a store we were planning on closing anyway? And we'd have to close for a few weeks during construction, lose staff in the process, and re-open to no additional business? Decision made. Close it. Call the store manager and give him the news."

To add to this, it is common practice for restaurants, especially chains, to give very little notice of closure. In addition to the reasons you mentioned, it's tough to keep running a restaurant when all of the employees know it's going to close and items from restaurants tend to start "walking away" after closures are announced in advance. It's just easier all around to rip off the bandaid.

Happens when long time restaurants close. People just want one last chance to re-live the memory's of old. This place was the reason I took my family to Bricktown at the beginning. I do hope when the building is reused they put a plaque up honoring a pioneer of what BT has become.

I think Steve might be on to something here. It was among my first thoughts when they announced the closure:

Closing of Spaghetti Warehouse in Oklahoma City may hint at Bricktown real estate play | News OK (http://newsok.com/analysis-closing-of-spaghetti-warehouse-in-oklahoma-city-may-hint-at-bricktown-real-estate-play/article/5476205)

Also, I just looked up their health department inspections... Last (posted) health department inspection was 2015-11-18. They've been dinged constantly for several violations for the past three years. Almost constant was a violation against the "PIC (Person-In-Charge) Present, demonstration of knowledge, performs duties" line; another nearly constant item of concern was "Floors,walls,ceilings (physical facilities):design, maintained, good repair, Outer openings protect." They've had several inspections (including two in August 2015) where no violation was found, however. Sadly, no notes are posted along with any of the inspections, so I don't know what specific things triggered these violation items.

I think Steve might be on to something here. It was among my first thoughts when they announced the closure:

Closing of Spaghetti Warehouse in Oklahoma City may hint at Bricktown real estate play | News OK (http://newsok.com/analysis-closing-of-spaghetti-warehouse-in-oklahoma-city-may-hint-at-bricktown-real-estate-play/article/5476205)

Actually, the fact that Andy Burnett -- who is the only person to get anywhere with the existing owners -- basically said he's now not involved gives me the exact opposite impression: That there is no active deal and the restaurant closing was a completely separate and totally unplanned happening.

In that article, Burnett said:


I'm hopeful they've found someone who can redevelop that property and make it great again

Bricktown pioneer restaurant to close Tuesday

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record February 1, 2016

OKLAHOMA CITY – One of Bricktown’s original restaurants is closing its doors Tuesday.

Spaghetti Warehouse, 101 E. Sheridan Ave., announced Monday via a prepared statement that it is shutting its Bricktown location. The company failed to comment further about the Oklahoma City closing or the Tulsa restaurant’s future, but it did allude to a return.

“As we continue to work on a new look for our brand, we are hopeful that in the near future we can reopen Spaghetti Warehouse within the Oklahoma City market,” the company said in the statement.

The closing leaves developers with much to wonder about the building’s future. The 70,000-square-foot building was built in 1910 and remodeled in 1989, according to the county assessor’s records. It is owned by a New York Real Estate Investment Trust.

Oklahoma City developer Andy Burnett said he and his partner, Zach Martin, tried to purchase the building for a while.

“We’re hopeful they found someone great to do something with it,” Burnett said.

He said he and Martin have a vested interest in the property’s future. They own several nearby buildings, including the Tapwerks building and the Mideke Building.

Bricktown District Manager Mallory O’Neil said she has not heard why the restaurant is closing. She said she had seen the restaurant being busy and successful.

“(All of us in Bricktown) are obviously saddened by the news because it’s a big part of Bricktown history,” she said. “It’s been here since the beginning.”

But O’Neil said the restaurant’s closing makes way for something new to join the evolving Sheridan Avenue.

“We’re excited for the opportunity that something else could come in and occupy the space that’s been vacant in the building,” she said.

Spaghetti Warehouse started in 1972 in Irving, Texas. Including Oklahoma City, the company has closed 32 restaurants. Only 14 remain, including in Dallas, Pittsburgh and Memphis.

Happens when long time restaurants close. People just want one last chance to re-live the memory's of old. This place was the reason I took my family to Bricktown at the beginning. I do hope when the building is reused they put a plaque up honoring a pioneer of what BT has become.

I took my family to Eddy's Steakhouse their last week of operation a few years back for precisely that reason - one last chance to grab nice memories - but it was awful and easily the worst trip I'd taken out there. The owners/staff truly had checked it in.

Alas.

You know what I think would be GREAT in Bricktown? A contemporary version of the great old Glen's HikRy Inn. Open pit steaks, Sunday brunch/smorgasbord, very classy without being stuffy or pretentious.

I took my family to Eddy's Steakhouse their last week of operation a few years back for precisely that reason - one last chance to grab nice memories - but it was awful and easily the worst trip I'd taken out there. The owners/staff truly had checked it in.

Alas.

You know what I think would be GREAT in Bricktown? A contemporary version of the great old Glen's HikRy Inn. Open pit steaks, Sunday brunch/smorgasbord, very classy without being stuffy or pretentious.

I wonder if Hal Smith wouldn't consider another Red Rock Canyon. Seems it would be a nice fit downtown. He couldn't have done something really special in the Nonna's space, with outside firepits on the balcony. Would love to see something really fantastic here. I went to Spaghetti Warehouse all of two times, and that was two times too many.

I wonder if Hal Smith wouldn't consider another Red Rock Canyon. Seems it would be a nice fit downtown.

Hal Smith's Cougartown in Bricktown.

Hal Smith's Cougartown in Bricktown.

There's a scary thought.

There's a scary thought.

Not for me.

I hope the building sees a complete rehab and not just a new restaurant.

my memory needs refreshing... what is currently on the upper floors of this building? -M

my memory needs refreshing... what is currently on the upper floors of this building? -M

Nothing, but it has so much potential to be something. My hope is housing.

Nothing, but it has so much potential to be something. My hope is housing.

literally nothing as in unfinished space? i had thought there might have been at least some office space up there. totally agree on the residential. -M

I'm also really hoping for housing of some sort in this building... I'm not sure how well the building would work for it though, as there would only be windows on the exterior walls... Hopefully something good happens here though.

As an aside, I'm looking at the building in Google Maps, and I just realized there are loudspeakers on the southwest corner of the roof. Anyone know what those are/were for? Also, someone had mentioned now hiring signs (i.e. if they knew they were closing, why did they have hiring signs up?)... They've been up since at least last Summer, from what I can see in Street View.

I'm also really hoping for housing of some sort in this building... I'm not sure how well the building would work for it though, as there would only be windows on the exterior walls... Hopefully something good happens here though.

Aren't there usually only windows on exterior walls?

I took my family to Eddy's Steakhouse their last week of operation a few years back for precisely that reason - one last chance to grab nice memories - but it was awful and easily the worst trip I'd taken out there. The owners/staff truly had checked it in.

Alas.

You know what I think would be GREAT in Bricktown? A contemporary version of the great old Glen's HikRy Inn. Open pit steaks, Sunday brunch/smorgasbord, very classy without being stuffy or pretentious.

I too would like to see Glen's HikRy Inn make a comeback. It took my wife there when we dated in High School and its was the first steak she had ever eaten. Just the smell from the parking lot would drive you crazy.

I knew someone was going to call me on that, lol. What I meant by that comment was that when the floors are divided for apartments/condos, most of those living spaces would only have windows on one wall of the apartment. The south and west exterior walls have a very large number of bricked-in windows that could be re-opened, so as long as your living space was on one of those two walls, you would probably be fine. However, the north and east walls have significantly fewer windows so there would be less natural light coming in without reconfiguring the exterior brickwork.

My concern is probably not really a real one - after all, I am not a real estate developer and I'm sure a professional could figure out the best way to lay this out.

It took my wife there when we dated in High School and its was the first steak she had ever eaten.

Wow you are quite the risk taker.... I'm not sure I could ever date a woman that had never eaten a steak! ;+)

You know what I think would be GREAT in Bricktown? A contemporary version of the great old Glen's HikRy Inn. Open pit steaks, Sunday brunch/smorgasbord, very classy without being stuffy or pretentious.

SoonerDave,
Now you're talking! But, I wonder if it's another one of those things mentioned on another thread about memories of some of the old places. I took my girlfriend their after the prom around 1959. Then I married another lady and in the early years of our marriage, we ate there (late 60's) and although it was good, I remembered that it was much better in the 50's.
Still, I would love to see something like that in Bricktown.
C. T.

I too would like to see Glen's HikRy Inn make a comeback. It took my wife there when we dated in High School and its was the first steak she had ever eaten. Just the smell from the parking lot would drive you crazy.

. . .complete with the piano bar!! :)

I toured the old Spaghetti Warehouse space on Tuesday.

I happened to be in Bricktown, noticed the door was open and popped in to find they had recently finished an auction and the winners were in the process of carting everything out.

A rep from the auction company told me they had sold absolutely everything inside, including all the kitchen equipment, tables, chairs, glasses... Even the huge wooden bar. He said they could not figure out a way to get the old streetcar out in any type of shape, so it would likely be demolished.

Contrary to a report by another media outlet, I was told nothing had been boxed up and saved. That report implied the boxing up was further proof Spaghetti Warehouse would reopen elsewhere in OKC but there was absolutely no evidence of that.

The same media outlet also speculated the closure of a restaurant may have been due to a pending building sale. However, I spoke to Zach Martin who, along with Andy Burnett, were the only developers to have made previous headway with the owners of the Real Estate Investment Trust that owns the building and he said they were nowhere in a possible purchase and he did not believe anything was happening in terms of a potential sale.

In the first photos you see people taking down light fixtures, cutting down the vent hood in the kitchen and generally hauling off every little bit of the place. Everything I saw had a sold tag on it.

The last three pictures show the condition of the kitchen. Former employees had told me the sudden closure of the restaurant was due to health code and/or pending repair issues.

(In fairness, the mess in the last photo may have been due to the recent removal of equipment. But the disrepair in the two photos above it had obviously been there for quite some time.)



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That's some filth there.

That kitchen floor is a big problem. Uneven tiles and rot/holes throughout. Thank you for the photos!

That train car is pretty cool, kinda kitschy, but I'm sure kids would love to eat in there.

Jon Taffer would have gone ape$h!t...

This would be cool for something like the Magic Time Machine in Dallas.

This would be cool for something like the Magic Time Machine in Dallas.

Like a resurrected Molly Murphy's? We'd just have to keep channel 4 away from them.

We were going to bid on a few of the items untill they went far beyond their actual value. The street car is an original from the Okc interurban system. It can be removed and there are salvage pros who could get in there and take it out piece by piece if allowed, and rebuild it elsewhere. Maybe they could donate it to the ORM. I bet they'd love to have it.

It would be a shame to see it destroyed.

the prices must have really skyrocketed by the end of the auction... i checked a few days before that and most everything was still fairly reasonable. -M

Digusting. Yeah, the city county recently started ramping up and rotating consumer protection inspectors. No wonder they would close, that would take months and hundreds of thousands to repair.

If that's the best they could do to clean up before they auctioned the equipment...imagine what it was like before. My wife and I(up until a few years ago) used to pop in there and eat pepperoni sticks and drink DR. Pepper as a nostalgia thing. Now I'm grossed out.

the prices must have really skyrocketed by the end of the auction... i checked a few days before that and most everything was still fairly reasonable. -M a lot of those auctions have a pre-bid, like a reserve for the bidder. But then the live auction can go mental. I'm not sure if this is the case but the auction company up near memorial on I-235 can get this way,

As a side note, those long plank wood floors in the main dining area are incredibly cool.

Can't wait to see someone new come in there, clean things up and open a new concept. So much potential.

As a side note, those long plank wood floors in the main dining area are incredibly cool.

Can't wait to see someone new come in there, clean things up and open a new concept. So much potential.

There's a gap in the eight nightclubs under one roof market! Citynights 2.0 am I right? :)

The auction results are still available here. There were some bargains, other items sold at or above retail.

Restaurantequipment.bid (http://www.restaurantequipment.bid/cgi-bin/mnlist.cgi?rebid11/category/ALL)

If you could have any business or concept in this space, what would it be?

Yesterday when I walked by it looked like they were taking air conditioners off the roof. It would seem a little extreme to sell those too, so maybe they were replacing them?

Yesterday when I walked by it looked like they were taking air conditioners off the roof. It would seem a little extreme to sell those too, so maybe they were replacing them?

Might as well sell them. Any kind of building renovation will most likely involve a new HVAC system.

There are not permits to replace them.

I'm sure they were sold off.

If you could have any business or concept in this space, what would it be?

Crystal's Pizza











that's a joke....sorta

If you could have any business or concept in this space, what would it be?

Trader Joes

The Spaghetti Warehouse in Tulsa is closing March 26th as the chain continues its slow death.

Just ate here two weeks ago, and it seemed quite busy (and the parking lot was full). It's a shame, as the chain was a true pioneer in both OKC and Tulsa. Alas, consumers' tastes change over time!

Sad to see them slowly dying out. I worked for the back in 1993, in Philly, and we were always busy. Not so much for the lunch crowd, but dinner was busy. Had to wait for a table every weekend. It was a decent company to work for, learned a lot, as I held multiple positions (server, host & line cook). Hardest part was memorize all the sauces and their ingredients.