Braum's applies to demolish HiLo Club, Drunken Fry and Classen Grill structures (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=399-Braum-s-applies-to-demolish-HiLo-Club-Drunken-Fry-and-Classen-Grill-structures)

Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Stores has filed plans that show the demolition of several historic structures near the old Classen Circle.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/braums1aa.jpg


The company acquired a small house next to the HiLo Club, Drunken Fry and Classen Grill in 2015.

They have filed to rezone .48 acres which is all the properties bound by Classen, NW 50th and Military Avenue and documents show plans to raze all existing buildings and construct a new Braum's.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/braums2a.jpg


Red Oak Properties LLC of Oklahoma City has owned all the real estate in this triangle since the mid 1990's except the one house Braum's recently purchased.

In a document submitted to the city, Red Oak authorizes Braum's to act on their behalf, an indication they intend to sell or lease their properties to the dairy chain. Braum's tends to own the properties where the operate.

The structure housing the HiLo Club and the Drunken Fry was built in 1948 as the Donnay Building and was once home to the old Sidecar Lounge and The Patio restaurant which operated from the mid 50's to the early 1990's. HiLo's website indicates they have been in operation from 1956. Charlie's Jazz-Rhythm & Blues Records is also a tenant in the building.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/patio2.jpg


Along with nearby Edna's and the 51st Street Speakeasy, the Drunken Fry and HiLo comprise a popular bar district with patrons often moving freely between the popular watering holes.

The Classen Grill building was constructed in 1929 and the restaurant has operated there since 1980.

Rezoning must be approved by the Oklahoma City Planning Commission.

This area is outside any of the city's design review or historic preservation districts and therefore the historic nature of the the existing structures will not be taken into account, only zoning matters.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/braums3aa.jpg

Destroying the character of the city? I see this happening.

To add, Braums is a sh!tty company for proposing this. I wouldn't even be for this if it was designed well as an urban store. OKC needs to preserve its older buildings. This one isn't the best but it does add cool character to the area that a f@cking Braums won't!!! Why doesn't Braums remodel this development and move into it? Oh wait, that would be too cool and challenging.

Hell to the naw

Fluck Braums....

Pete, you should move this to the main forum so it gets more focus. Or perhaps just make a new thread.

Pete, you should move this to the main forum so it gets more focus. Or perhaps just make a new thread.

Agreed.

What a downgrade this would be. Absolutely embarrassing if the Planning Commission lets this go through. And Braum's should be a better citizen than this.

F*ck you braums.

It'd be so nice to see the existing structures renovated rather than demolished. Having said that, if a tear-down just has to occur, there would be so many better uses of that space than a chain fast food place. Ick.

This is going to be a PR nightmare for Braum's.

They were not too happy to receive my call and learn I already knew about their plans.

This is going to be a PR nightmare for Braum's.

They were not too happy to receive my call and learn I already knew about their plans.

hobby lobby, braums, and a couple of gas station companies basically own OKC commercial real estate lol. This is a ****ing joke.

I have not been to Braums since they replaced the 1/3 pound burger with a 1/4 burger a few months ago. This definitely makes me want to stay away from Braums. #boycottbraums

They could reverse every change they made in the last year. I'm officially done with them on principle if they proceed with these disastrous plans.

Bah - this is all a cover to distract everyone from the 1/4 burger/waterboy milkshake fiasco. :) :) :)

It's like they're taking a *class* in alienating...lots of people at once. I get the impression they really think they're immune to public opinion...

And just like that, I am done with Braums.

Wow.. this is just....

I mean, this structure could definitely use some work, but there's so much history there, and it's such a unique building. Arg!

That is a shame. Sorry Braums don't think I'll give you any business.

I would not be surprised if they end up changing their plans because a firestorm is already brewing.

I'm glad to see the response to this matches my own. I don't make it to the area very often, but when I do this building has always caught my eye. It will terrible to see it go and replaced by a generic Braum's.

That building is a ramshackle mess but still charming in its own way.

And really one of the very last ties to the old Classen Circle. Address still is on Classen Circle, in fact.

This is not only a tragedy as far as losing buildings with a ton of unique character, but due to the downgrade in density, will likely be a financial loss in tax revenue (albeit a small one) for the city.

That building is a ramshackle mess but still charming in its own way.



That's why I love it. It's so unique and makes me happy when I see it.

I would not be surprised if they end up changing their plans because a firestorm is already brewing.

My family and friends are already hitting the social media at them. I imagine people aren't going to like this.

Thanks for the info as always Pete.

Pete, your Facebook post about this is spreading like crazy... and I just joined about a dozen other people who left a message on Braum's facebook page asking them to reconsider. I really hope they cave to the public pressure and halt these plans.

This is going to be a PR nightmare for Braum's.

Now THAT'S the understatement of the year.

Step one: Piss off our customers re: shakes and burgers.

Step two: Knock down some historical buildings.

Step three: I fear to find out...

Now THAT'S the understatement of the year.

Step one: Piss off our customers re: shakes and burgers.

Step two: Knock down some historical buildings.

Step three: I fear to find out...

Braum's announces: VEGGIE BURGERS REPLACING REAL BURGERS, because We Just Know Better Than You(tm)

Coming out of hiding to leave this here. It has what I would call "a bit of traction".

https://www.change.org/p/okie-mod-squad-please-sign-the-petition-to-save-the-historic-donnay-building-in-oklahoma-city

I really have a hard time believing this is actually a serious proposal. Demolish an entire block full of character and history for a boring drive-through fast food restaurant. Not going to say any more but I am quite furious about this.

Well The Lost Ogle (https://www.thelostogle.com/2017/07/12/braums-wants-to-demolish-classen-circle/) is on it now.... The world should be safe from Braum's... for now.

I really enjoyed their comment on another Oklahoma chain tearing down an iconic Oklahoma City building.

This seems fake. Like I can't even imagine the thought process here. And shame on Red Oak for not giving a sh!t either.

Does anyone know how an Edna's Lunchbox tastes with a scoop of icecream?

This seems fake. Like I can't even imagine the thought process here. And shame on Red Oak for not giving a sh!t either.

This is exactly the same as Charcoal Oven and that was for a freaking Discount Tire.

This seems fake. Like I can't even imagine the thought process here. And shame on Red Oak for not giving a sh!t either.


I thought the same when I first saw it... Had it come from any other source but Pete I would be calling BS on the whole thing.... Or at least going to Snopes. ;)

http://m.newsok.com/article/5556065

http://m.newsok.com/article/5556065

OKCTalk again not cited.

To quote an old phrase: A little birdy flew down and told me.

OKCTalk again not cited.

At least The Lost Ogle gave you credit.... A lot of people take them more seriously than the Oklahoman.

As far as the Classen Grill building is concerned, I see no historical significance to this building. I used to eat there when I lived in OKC and the building always smelled musty and moldy. I think the Patio (Donnay Building) should be rehabbed and restored by Braum's and make accomodations for the record shop and the HiLo. The building really needs a good clearing and scrub, but feel like it could be a little gem of Mid Century architecture restored into something special "if it was done right"!

At least The Lost Ogle gave you credit.... A lot of people take them more seriously than the Oklahoman.

TLO and the TV stations are usually good about this.

Really, everyone other than the Oklahoman.

As far as the Classen Grill building is concerned, I see no historical significance to this building. I used to eat there when I lived in OKC and the building always smelled musty and moldy. I think the Patio (Donnay Building) should be rehabbed and restored by Braum's and make accomodations for the record shop and the HiLo. The building really needs a good clearing and scrub, but feel like it could be a little gem of Mid Century architecture restored into something special "if it was done right"!

That's a good point. I'm sure it's pretty cost prohibitive, but It'd be pretty cool to see braums in that building if this corner is that big of a deal to them.

If they absolutely HAD to move in there, I'd be okay with that. I'd much rather have pomme frites and PBR in there than a nutri-shake and a shoe-leather burger, but this would be an acceptable compromise, as long as the Hi-Lo and Charlie's were retained per each tenant's wishes, if nothing else.

EDIT: Make no mistake: I'd hate to see Drunken Fry or Classen Grill, et al move. This is merely a worst-case assessment.

This will not go down as one of the best five or six weeks in Braum's corporate PR history. #TheyChosePoorly

So if this travesty actually comes to pass, does that mean Classen Grill is closing down for good? Or will they be relocating?

Man, I love that place. I remember going there in high school, seeing the young, vaguely "crunchy" crowd (they weren't called hispters then) drinking wine, art on the walls but yet the place was "divey" at the same time. So different than the strip-mall breakfast places like Jimmy's Egg, and I would always think it felt like a bigger-city experience. Was always kind of fun.

I've never been there when there hasn't been a wait for a table, so I can't believe they're not making money.

TLO and the TV stations are usually good about this.

Really, everyone other than the Oklahoman.


Pete, you're not alone. I am lead recruiting analyst for thefootballbrainiacs.com and we break news on a daily basis. Not a single "journalist" in this market cites us as first to break story. It's always a "source". Of course, people call them out, but they say we aren't real journalists because we aren't in their clique. It's part of the pettiness in the OK market, whether you're covering OKC or college football. If you aren't in their group, you get not respect. We came to grips with it. You do you and keep grinding.

Coming out of hiding to leave this here. It has what I would call "a bit of traction".

https://www.change.org/p/okie-mod-squad-please-sign-the-petition-to-save-the-historic-donnay-building-in-oklahoma-city
Closing in on 5,000 signatures already.

Well this is absolute f**king ****.

Braums, no. What is you doin, baby? Stahp!

13973

Looks like somebody grew a conscience.

After the closing of Deep Fork and then Romano's Macaroni Grill I am nearly at a loss for words regarding this (latest) attempted/contemplated travesty by The Landgrabbing Suits in Tuttle . . . Yet I will say this: In the future I shall continue to buy Braum's milk while eschewing any burger purchases.

To whom should I write an e-mail or letter? Normally I would just sign the petition and be on my way, however, I own 2 properties less than 5 blocks away, so there would be more weight coming from someone in the actual neighborhood that this tragedy is being considered.

TLO and the TV stations are usually good about this.

Really, everyone other than the Oklahoman.

I notice Lackmeyer is reactively implying on Twitter that The Oklahoman happened to find this news through the city's online permit system rather than learning about it at OKCTalk, as everyone else did.

I notice Lackmeyer is reactively implying on Twitter that The Oklahoman happened to find this news through the city's online permit system rather than learning about it at OKCTalk, as everyone else did.

He always does this as a deflection for them stealing our work.

Pete, you're not alone. I am lead recruiting analyst for thefootballbrainiacs.com and we break news on a daily basis. Not a single "journalist" in this market cites us as first to break story. It's always a "source". Of course, people call them out, but they say we aren't real journalists because we aren't in their clique. It's part of the pettiness in the OK market, whether you're covering OKC or college football. If you aren't in their group, you get not respect. We came to grips with it. You do you and keep grinding.

Love your site man. Keep up the good work. (Sorry for being off topic)

Just read the newsok article again and OKCTalk was omitted.

On the other hand... only one that mentioned the site.

http://kfor.com/2017/07/12/braums-looking-to-rezone-property-demolish-and-build-new-store-hilo-club-others-left-in-limbo/

In all my years living here, I've never once stepped foot in these buildings, but I've always loved driving by and looking at them. It's a bizarre clump of bad architecture tossed in a pile, but it has this New England alley feel about it that I just love. I've always hated the idea of destroying architecture with character to put up something that's been reproduced all over the city already. I'm glad so many other people were appalled by the proposition as well; the outcry will, hopefully, put a stop to the plans.

I'd have to permanently boycott Braum's if they went through with this, and I really don't want to have to do that. Their ice cream is the best.

He always does this as a deflection for them stealing our work.

Their feud with this site borders on the preposterous.

"The rezoning request was first reported by NewsChannel 4's partner OKCTalk.com Wednesday Morning."

Are you guys teaming up now?

"The rezoning request was first reported by NewsChannel 4's partner OKCTalk.com Wednesday Morning."

Are you guys teaming up now?

Yes.

I'll have more on this later.

A broader conspiracy has been revealed:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/trump1.jpg

He always does this as a deflection for them stealing our work.

And if you call him out on it, he blocks you on Twitter. Going on a yr blocked, so I now get all my info from OKCTalk. Thanks Pete!

I don't think I am out of touch, but OKC Talk, and several other sources are much better than the joklahoman. The only time i go look on there is when there is a link to an article (usually from here), or somewhere else. My 94 Yr old grandmother still subscribes to a delivered paper, but she also thinks the internet is the devil!!! When she passes on, they won't have any paper subscribers left.

The Oklahoman is a dying entity, and their sports writers either are incredible ignorant, or they purposely do ignorant things to try and get the paper on the map every now and then. Carlson's claim to fame is Gundy setting her on fire, and Trammel surfaces every 2 years asking stupid questions at post game conferences.