It all looks very "specialty". Fumeless nails, styling only hair salon, a bootmaker. I mean, do these kinds of places have staying power or are they just sort of a unique add to put there at opening?

I don't work downtown, so this is an honest question here. Are there so many people working downtown in boots that would a) want specialty made boots from here and b) could afford that? If they are targeting the visiting horse people, wouldn't they just go to Langston's in Cowtown or Boot Barn, both of which are closer and don't involve paid parking.

Similar question on the salon. I mean i get it that no one is going to the middle of the CBD to get their hard cut and colored during the work day. It's a 45 minute service event that lasts 3-5 days. So same honest question, is there really a market for this downtown? Are they maybe counting on the "oops, i have a big event today and its just not working, i need some help to jazz up my hair today" crowd? And are there enough of those out there for that?

Now fumeless nails....if that works, i'll spread the word to my wife LOL. That one's a keeper.

Don't get me wrong here, i'm excited to see businesses going in. I just hope they have staying power. What's worse than an empty retail spot? One that can't sustain any businesses. That generally starts a decline in the quality of the businesses going in as well, and that's a decline the space doesn't need. I realize that's a crazy leap at this point, I'm just making a point about sustainability of the retail.

I've heard the Drybar in Classen Curve stays fairly busy. But I am not their target demographic so I really don't understand the business either. Same with nails... But boots. Boot Barn and Langston's don't make bespoke boots last I remember. This Lucchese is definitely a few steps above the product offerings of Boot Barn and Langston's. And the "horse show" people would definitely have the money for this kind of boot shop.

It all looks very "specialty". Fumeless nails, styling only hair salon, a bootmaker. I mean, do these kinds of places have staying power or are they just sort of a unique add to put there at opening?

I don't work downtown, so this is an honest question here. Are there so many people working downtown in boots that would a) want specialty made boots from here and b) could afford that? If they are targeting the visiting horse people, wouldn't they just go to Langston's in Cowtown or Boot Barn, both of which are closer and don't involve paid parking.

Similar question on the salon. I mean i get it that no one is going to the middle of the CBD to get their hard cut and colored during the work day. It's a 45 minute service event that lasts 3-5 days. So same honest question, is there really a market for this downtown? Are they maybe counting on the "oops, i have a big event today and its just not working, i need some help to jazz up my hair today" crowd? And are there enough of those out there for that?

Now fumeless nails....if that works, i'll spread the word to my wife LOL. That one's a keeper.

Don't get me wrong here, i'm excited to see businesses going in. I just hope they have staying power. What's worse than an empty retail spot? One that can't sustain any businesses. That generally starts a decline in the quality of the businesses going in as well, and that's a decline the space doesn't need. I realize that's a crazy leap at this point, I'm just making a point about sustainability of the retail.

Lucchese is almost a destination type boot store and is the only one around this part of the country outside of Dallas/Fort Worth and Denver. I know people in college that went down to Fort Worth specifically to get fitted and buy some. In addition to the rest of Oklahoma, it should generate some traffic from the texas panhandle, Kansas, and Arkansas as well as others that are in town for whatever reason they may be here. Given their few and by the looks of it, highly selective locations, it appears that they do some major due diligence when selecting a new market. No guarantees obviously but it should be fine there.

It's honestly turning into a "Grand Hotel" of old

I know nothing of boots so thank you for that explanation. I still think it would make more sense to be not downtown so they didnt have to pay to park to go there, but i can also be way off base...not a boot person.

Lucchese looks to very near opening. All the window covering is off and they are placing merchandise and decorating store today

I know nothing of boots so thank you for that explanation. I still think it would make more sense to be not downtown so they didnt have to pay to park to go there, but i can also be way off base...not a boot person.

If you're going there to buy those boots or have some custom ones made, paying $1-$5 for a few hours of parking probably isn't much of a concern lol. Their cheapest, very basic western boots run between $400-$800 with tax. Anything more exotic than that will likely be $1000 or more with some in the $7000-$15000 range.

If you're going there to buy those boots or have some custom ones made, paying $1-$5 for a few hours of parking probably isn't much of a concern lol.

Not to mention the people who buy those boots, probably work downtown or stay at the hotel

very nice to see the nail boutique, this is totally what I was expecting to happen to the Park Avenue high street. Need more high end shoppes, restaurants, and like retail to provide connective, walkable high street experience which I expect will continue to come, organically.

WOWZERS! Thems some boots! LOL

Signage on the way.

The 1st sign will be illuminated.

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The sign was being installed tonight while I walked by:
17656

17660

I noticed early this morning that the LED lights on FNC were still on as the sun came up.

They had been shutting them down around 11 PM but that seems to have changed.

Don’t recall seeing this on here yet. But King Ranch Saddle Shop is going in next to luchesse. There is window decals up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnwFIYrymec

Great Video Thanks for Posting!

Great Video Thanks for Posting!

Yes, thanks for the video. I learned a lot from watching. Truly a gem that was worth saving!

My wife and l stopped by for a while Saturday evening and had drinks in the lobby bar. I had not been in since l was much younger and was completely in awe of how incredible the hotel was. They have done a magnificent job of preserving the original materials and blending in the bars, restaurants and hotel desks. The place was full of life with several events (wedding parties, birthdays, formal events) going on in the various facilities and the staff was top quality. The restaurant's were full and the bars were lively. The First is a masterpiece and OKC has a lot to be proud of. I congratulate the owner(s)!

The Stock and Bond Steakhouse has opened up.

Thread here: https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=47281&p=1216949#post1216949

I took these last night. As gorgeous as this building is, it's even more so dressed up for the holidays.

And it was completely jammed with people and energy.

I know we all love to know 'what's next?' but holy cow, sometimes you just have to take a step back and marvel at how far we've come as a city.



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wOW so beautiful! I need to make a trip downtown.

Magnificant!

If you'd show this to someone not from the city, probably even the next county over, they would tell you this was probably somewhere in New York City.

Imagine their face if you told them this was Oklahoma City. They would be flabbergasted.

love LOVE the musicians. Musicians all throughout downtown is not only a great way to add vibrancy to the city - allowing folks to appreciate fine music; but also provides employment to struggling artists. First National - OMG, this is a gem.

Oklahoma City has really come far, but in all honestly; downtown has just regained a lot of what it already had before 1985. Exciting times, with more to come.

Delicious!

Early last evening, I walked from lower Scissortail Park, through the upper park, through Myriad Gardens, past Devon and The Colcord, through FNC, over to and through the Skrivin, then past BancFirst and the Sheraton and the Omni and Spark and Social Capital and back down to the lower park where I had parked.

There was music everywhere! At the skating rink, the carousel, the string quartet at FNC, a pianist at the Skirvin on and on and on. And crowds everywhere; every restaurant bar and everywhere else.

I know this city as well as anyone and I was still just completely stunned by the totality of it all.

And everything was packed even though it was only about 5:30. Weddings at both the Skrivin and FNC and I saw another bride and groom being photographed at the Myriad Gardens, a big group of high school kids in tuxes and gowns for a Christmas dance having their picture taken in front of Devon, a bunch of people coming in and out of the Crystal Bridge and the skating rink was packed.

And I didn't even get over to Bricktown or the area around the Jones or Midtown or Auto Alley or the Plaza District or The Paseo.

But I will try to walk all those areas in the early evening and take it all in. It's so incredibly satisfying after loving OKC since I was a little kid. It very much feels like this is all a reward for caring about the place for decades and long before there was much to be excited about.

That is so cool Pete! I was driving into town Friday evening about 5 and drove past the Omni and they were very busy!! Cars waiting in line for Valet. People walking around.

I heard that Charlie Nicolas, who partnered with Gary Brooks on this project, just passed away last month?

Early last evening, I walked from lower Scissortail Park, through the upper park, through Myriad Gardens, past Devon and The Colcord, through FNC, over to and through the Skrivin, then past BancFirst and the Sheraton and the Omni and Spark and Social Capital and back down to the lower park where I had parked.

There was music everywhere! At the skating rink, the carousel, the string quartet at FNC, a pianist at the Skirvin on and on and on. And crowds everywhere; every restaurant bar and everywhere else.

I know this city as well as anyone and I was still just completely stunned by the totality of it all.

And everything was packed even though it was only about 5:30. Weddings at both the Skrivin and FNC and I saw another bride and groom being photographed at the Myriad Gardens, a big group of high school kids in tuxes and gowns for a Christmas dance having their picture taken in front of Devon, a bunch of people coming in and out of the Crystal Bridge and the skating rink was packed.

And I didn't even get over to Bricktown or the area around the Jones or Midtown or Auto Alley or the Plaza District or The Paseo.

But I will try to walk all those areas in the early evening and take it all in. It's so incredibly satisfying after loving OKC since I was a little kid. It very much feels like this is all a reward for caring about the place for decades and long before there was much to be excited about.

Absolutely amazing! Can we say, all the incredible changes we enjoy today, started with United Airlines rejecting OKC as it location for a maintenance center? The before and after of OKC from that decision years ago it pretty stunning.

Absolutely amazing! Can we say, all the incredible changes we enjoy today, started with United Airlines rejecting OKC as it location for a maintenance center? The before and after of OKC from that decision years ago it pretty stunning.

Loss is gain!

I took these last night. As gorgeous as this building is, it's even more so dressed up for the holidays.

And it was completely jammed with people and energy.

I know we all love to know 'what's next?' but holy cow, sometimes you just have to take a step back and marvel at how far we've come as a city.



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My oldest son is in town from London for Christmas and we went a few nights ago for drinks. The place was hopping. So much energy.

I took my daughter to Tellers for dinner a couple of weeks ago and really liked it. The Christmas decorations are great.

It really is great to reflect on where downtown okc is now as compared to say 1990.

...
It really is great to reflect on where downtown okc is now as compared to say 1990.

Actually, the whole city! We left in 1995 because there weren't any clubs, restaurants, concerts, bookstores, etc. that we liked, it was just a tired city, been there/done that. Didn't ever want to come back. Pretty much had to in 2009, due to the crash, and it was quite a bit better then, but the difference between 2009 and now is pretty spectacular. Even though we still hate the political environment in the state, we've found an island in our neighborhood (Venice) and still have dozens of "new" restaurants to try out, and a huge list of repeat restaurants to go back to, as well as having been to dozens of great concerts, bars, stores...

Was thinking about possibly staying there tomorrow night before I had to wake up for an early flight and it was $950+ for a basic room. Looks like it's sold out now but damn lol

Awesome pics. It's even more spectacular than when l was there a few weeks ago.!

Stock and Bond is now open on Sundays

Does anyone know how leasing is going?

^Assuming their availability tracker is accurate - looks like the upper floors are well leased. Lower floors have much more availability. Anything 22 and above have 0-1 unit available.

https://thefirstokc.com/floorplans

They are anticipating being fully leased by this summer.

King Ranch finally filed its building permits:


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I hope this is leasing well. Would be a boost to developers to maybe think up rather than out all the time.

In other news, First National was the destination for the post NBA Draft press conference. Imagine the impression this place left on our new rookies.

I hope this is leasing well. Would be a boost to developers to maybe think up rather than out all the time.

I’m sure it’s leasing horribly and it’s the fault of OKC’s loser developers.

In other news, First National was the destination for the post NBA Draft press conference. Imagine the impression this place left on our new rookies.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO0VnIa4BWQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO0VnIa4BWQ

Can I just say from the still picture of this youtube video, these kids both look like they're in their late 20s lolol. A ton of NBA rookies look like they're still in high school (considering how many are only 2 or 3 years out it makes sense)

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Another nice write-up in Travel and Leisure: https://www.travelandleisure.com/the-national-oklahoma-city-hotel-review-8417803

Very nice! After spending an evening at the National myself, l can vouch forvthevreview

This is such a stunning renovation! Does not feel like it is in OKC. More New York. OKC is lucky to have this in the heart of downtown!

They announced the opening of King Ranch store on their FB page.

Stores like King Rach or Lucchese can't have THAT large of a market, right? Seems like those would fit better in the Stockyards area, not in a business area. But what do I know.

Those are more high end retailers that would not do well in the Stockyards. I believe they’re counting on
Hotel/out of towners shopping there.

Stores like King Rach or Lucchese can't have THAT large of a market, right? Seems like those would fit better in the Stockyards area, not in a business area. But what do I know.

The income level of people staying at First National is probably the highest in the city. They don't stay in the Stockyards.

That's why it works.

The income level of people staying at First National is probably the highest in the city. They don't stay in the Stockyards.

That's why it works.

We shall find out. King Ranch only just opened. Can just imagine the wealthy businessmen and executives staying there buying their fancy saddles. Lol

We shall find out. King Ranch only just opened. Can just imagine the wealthy businessmen and executives staying there buying their fancy saddles. Lol

I see they said it’s now open, but I just walked by and it appears it’s still being built out. They were painting in the store today (entire hall of first national had the fumes)

Are they open in a temporary location? Doesn’t seem their permanent location is ready

We shall find out. King Ranch only just opened. Can just imagine the wealthy businessmen and executives staying there buying their fancy saddles. Lol

the 4 saddles they still sell ... compared to the 1000+ other sku's

lol

the 4 saddles they still sell ... compared to the 1000+ other sku's

lol

Yeah, the “Saddle Shop” part of the name is slightly misleading. Most of their products would look very out of place on a horse.

I think the market for western wear seems more niche to those not drawn to that lifestyle than what it actually is. Obviously stores where their “basic” merchandise starts at $300 and can easily creep into the $1,000+ range is going to be niche in some sense, but considering First National is more or less the premier to-do building in the heart of a city well known for its western culture, I think it’s a nice touch.

Visitors to OKC are often fascinated by western stuff. The Red Earth gift shop and art gallery have thrived for years, only a block from this location, and that’s before FNC came online. Nice upscale can successfully exist also; look no further than B.C. Clark. And again, visitors are anxious to buy things to remember their trip to/through “the west,” and no visitors to OKC can better afford $1000+ cowboy boots than guests staying in places like FNC, Sheridan, Colcord, etc.

We shall find out. King Ranch only just opened. Can just imagine the wealthy businessmen and executives staying there buying their fancy saddles. Lol

King Ranch and Lucchese do not cater to **** kickers, they cater to the reasonably well to do. Horse people are in this city all the time, they all mostly have good money, and they often stay at The National, Colcord, Skirvin, and other downtown hotels. It is an absolute no brainer for these specialty shops to locate in close proximity to their actual customers.

There is a great book on markets and marketing titled "The Long Tail". It illustrates that markets aren't one big market but an almost infinite subsets of markets. You have to draw boundaries around which you serve according to how you can reach them and the efficiency/cost of doing so. There is no homogenous "cowboy" market. As pointed out, there are affluent cowboys/girls and wannabes and the everyday farmers, cowboys/girls, and the kickers. Not all covered under the same brush stroke.

I'm excited about the King Ranch store. I used to get their magazine after I bought an F150 King Ranch, and always really liked their stuff, but too pricey to buy through a magazine. I'll have to check it out next month when we stay at the Colcord.

Back in September of 2022, I had some co-workers from Houston come in for work and I needed to find things to do between their flight getting in (9am) and lunch at 12:30. I took them downtown, into The National and then to Lucchese where they loved looking at boots. A few weeks later, one of them paid me to buy them and send them to him. It was a pair they didn't carry online.

I noticed King Ranch is now open in FNC.

I believe all the commercial space is now open and occupied.