Again, Tulsa gets the first store

[betts]

I just found out Tulsa is getting an Anthropologie. I know they've been looking in Oklahoma City, but who knows if they'll decide to build a store here? We must be doing something wrong, marketing wise. I cannot believe that even if our average income is slightly lower, the difference in population doesn't ameliorate that. Then, if people here go to Tulsa to shop there, management will be perfectly happy not putting a store here. Just like Whole Foods (although I realize it arrived in Tulsa through the back door). Aaaargh!

[betts]

Looks like they're getting an Urban and a Free People too. Sigh. :

Anthropologie Jobs in Tulsa, OK | Indeed.com

[redrunner]

Most likely the same job postings for Anthropologie. The job descriptions all mention Anthropologie. Urban Outfitters, Free People, and Anthropologie are all owned by Urban Outfitters Inc.

[Larry OKC]

Not really uncommon...seems Tulsa gets the stores first (for whatever reason) and then OKC a few years later

[Laramie]

Not really uncommon...seems Tulsa gets the stores first (for whatever reason) and then OKC a few years later

If it will work in Tulsa, then it should work in Oklahoma City. I'm still looking forward to Sak's Fifth Avenue coming.

[betts]

They've been looking at Classen Curve and Nichols Hills Plaza. The problem is, they don't like malls, they like open air malls or freestanding buildings. Nichols Hills Plaza doesn't stay open at night, and they need one that does. Classen Curve's narrow buildings don't fit their store layout as well, and there's not really any retail there yet. I assume they're going in at Utica Square, which fits their concept perfectly. We have no Utica Square equivalent.

But, when there are Anthropologie stores in Birmingham, Boise and Jacksonville, and now coming to Tulsa, I have to ask what we're doing wrong marketing ourselves. We should be able to compete with cities like that.

[metro]

They've been looking at Classen Curve and Nichols Hills Plaza. The problem is, they don't like malls, they like open air malls or freestanding buildings. Nichols Hills Plaza doesn't stay open at night, and they need one that does. Classen Curve's narrow buildings don't fit their store layout as well, and there's not really any retail there yet. I assume they're going in at Utica Square, which fits their concept perfectly. We have no Utica Square equivalent.

But, when there are Anthropologie stores in Birmingham, Boise and Jacksonville, and now coming to Tulsa, I have to ask what we're doing wrong marketing ourselves. We should be able to compete with cities like that.

I agree. Maybe University North Park in Norman fits the demographic, and layout requirements though. I strongly believe the Chamber does not market correctly as several of you have stated. I believe Alison Oshel is in charge of things like this. Not sure if anything has come to fruition in the last few years from the Chambers effort. Might be time to hire someone from outside Oklahoma, or if nothing else, hire Tulsa's retail recruiter.

[okcpulse]

I agree. Maybe University North Park in Norman fits the demographic, and layout requirements though. I strongly believe the Chamber does not market correctly as several of you have stated. I believe Alison Oshel is in charge of things like this. Not sure if anything has come to fruition in the last few years from the Chambers effort. Might be time to hire someone from outside Oklahoma, or if nothing else, hire Tulsa's retail recruiter.

I second that. The Chamber's site has OKC's figures from 2004 sitting on their page. That's six years ago. WTF???

[soonerguru]

They've been looking at Classen Curve and Nichols Hills Plaza. The problem is, they don't like malls, they like open air malls or freestanding buildings. Nichols Hills Plaza doesn't stay open at night, and they need one that does. Classen Curve's narrow buildings don't fit their store layout as well, and there's not really any retail there yet. I assume they're going in at Utica Square, which fits their concept perfectly. We have no Utica Square equivalent.

But, when there are Anthropologie stores in Birmingham, Boise and Jacksonville, and now coming to Tulsa, I have to ask what we're doing wrong marketing ourselves. We should be able to compete with cities like that.

Doesn't the Chamber employ someone whose job it is to recruit retailers to OKC? If not, they need to hire one. If so, someone needs to do a better job.

Tulsa is hurting economically right now, much more so than OKC. Plus, OKC is a bigger city.

I think what may skew our stats is that so many of Tulsa's uber-rich live in the Midtown area, whereas ours live in Nichols Hills and Edmond.

Sprawl hurts us in this regard, IMO.

[Spartan]

I think what may skew our stats is that so many of Tulsa's uber-rich live in the Midtown area, whereas ours live in Nichols Hills and Edmond.

Yeah, that's somewhat true. But the entire south side of Tulsa seems very affluent. It's hard to tell a difference in affluence from the area around 21st and Utica to the area around 41st and Lewis to the area around 81st and Yale to the area around 111th and Sheridan. My point is that it's all incredibly affluent.

The state's #1 highest income ZIP is Midtown Tulsa. #2 is far-south Tulsa, across the Arkansas River from Jenks. And speaking of Jenks, that's also a highly affluent rapidly-growing area. So is Bixby and Owasso, and BA is at least as "affluent" as Moore or Yukon (mix of middle class and upper-middle class).

BG918 hit it on the head. OKC lacks quality urban development like Tulsa has in abundance. 21st Street in Tulsa is just loaded with dense, urban development..that's attractive.

[progressiveboy]

Doesn't the Chamber employ someone whose job it is to recruit retailers to OKC? If not, they need to hire one. If so, someone needs to do a better job.

Tulsa is hurting economically right now, much more so than OKC. Plus, OKC is a bigger city.

I think what may skew our stats is that so many of Tulsa's uber-rich live in the Midtown area, whereas ours live in Nichols Hills and Edmond.

Sprawl hurts us in this regard, IMO.

Keep in mind that in OKC there are also other high end affluent wealthy folks such as Gallardia and Lake Aluma, Heritage Hills etc... not just NH and Edmond.

[dmoor82]

^^^ wouldnt The Bricktown canal be a good location?or EK Gaylord and Reno where those new shops are in that old parking lot south of The amtrack depot,what about Campus corner in Norman?whole lot of diff. options!

[onthestrip]

^^^ wouldnt The Bricktown canal be a good location?or EK Gaylord and Reno where those new shops are in that old parking lot south of The amtrack depot,what about Campus corner in Norman?whole lot of diff. options!

To answer your question, no and no. Bricktown and campus corner are no places for a reatailer like this, at least right now.

I think we don't get these stores because of spread out demographics, we have no large concentration of high income household. Also, as mentioned above, we have only a few quality centers for an anthropologie to locate. The design and layout of classen curve doesn't help either.

[BG918]

To answer your question, no and no. Bricktown and campus corner are no places for a reatailer like this, at least right now.

I think we don't get these stores because of spread out demographics, we have no large concentration of high income household. Also, as mentioned above, we have only a few quality centers for an anthropologie to locate. The design and layout of classen curve doesn't help either.

I disagree about Campus Corner, it is a perfect location for such a store especially Urban Outfitters. Go to other larger college towns, similar in size or even smaller than Norman, and you will see similar retailers in their respective Campus Corner-like areas. I would argue Campus Corner is the retail district most like Utica Square in the OKC Metro, not because it's high end but that it's the most walkable and urban...

[okcpulse]

Based on what I have researched thus far, domegraphics is not the issue. Real estate departments for retailers have confirmed this.

Developments are exactly the issue. They have the demographics but not the location. Many of these stores do not build their own locations. They rent, and they want a location where they know they can do well.

I am hoping that Tuscana at Quail Springs can offer just that once the developers start the brick and mortar construction. At this point, Classen Curve, Nichols Hills Plaza and even 50 Penn Place do not work. Classen Curve is not on a major traffic arterial. Nichols Hills Plaza does not have the hours. 50 Penn Place has pretty much lost all of their foot traffic. Spring Creek in Edmond is booked solid, and so is Penn Square Mall.

On top of Tuscana, I really think Penn Square Mall should consider expanding. In order to attract high end retail, that it what Woodlands Mall in The Woodlands, TX had to do. without the open-air wing on the north side, Urban Outfitters and Anthropogie wouldn't be at that mall.

[onthestrip]

I think it has less to do with the chamber or our "retail recruiter" and more to do with the other factors. Property owners usually do a good job to make retailers aware of their centers and the city.

[FritterGirl]

Utica is the perfect set up for Anthropologie, and as much as I had to admit it, I'll likely drive up to go. It's really one of my all-time favorite stores.

Utica is a spacious, traditional-looking outdoor shopping center in the heart of one of Tulsa's most exclusive neighborhoods. It has big anchor stores and restaurants, and a broad demographic appeal and variety of shops (including some highly successful LOCAL shops and restaurant concepts).

It's destination shopping and fills multiple gaps that a trip to the mall cannot.

OKC has little of its equivalent. Nichols Hills Plaza is close in terms of concept, but it has no major retail anchor, and not chains of anykind (save for Starbucks) - which is both a plus (great local shops) and a minus (can't use local shops to anchor regional/national type stores).

Classen Curve, IMO is a mess. Aesthetically unappealing AS A SHOPPING CONSTRUCT (I generally like most of Rand's work), poor location (across from a graveyard), and has little to no curb appeal.

It will likely also NOT draw in high-enough traffic counts to warrant big-name shopping anytime soon. The structures are intimidating, not at all welcoming to the average shopper, so even if they move Balliet's and the Chanel and/or other exclusive retailers in there, retailers with a more mid-to-high price point (not high price point) will likely avoid the place.

[BG918]

Utica is the perfect set up for Anthropologie, and as much as I had to admit it, I'll likely drive up to go. It's really one of my all-time favorite stores.

Utica is a spacious, traditional-looking outdoor shopping center in the heart of one of Tulsa's most exclusive neighborhoods. It has big anchor stores and restaurants, and a broad demographic appeal and variety of shops (including some highly successful LOCAL shops and restaurant concepts).

It's destination shopping and fills multiple gaps that a trip to the mall cannot.

OKC has little of its equivalent. Nichols Hills Plaza is close in terms of concept, but it has no major retail anchor, and not chains of anykind (save for Starbucks) - which is both a plus (great local shops) and a minus (can't use local shops to anchor regional/national type stores).

Classen Curve, IMO is a mess. Aesthetically unappealing AS A SHOPPING CONSTRUCT (I generally like most of Rand's work), poor location (across from a graveyard), and has little to no curb appeal.

It will likely also NOT draw in high-enough traffic counts to warrant big-name shopping anytime soon. The structures are intimidating, not at all welcoming to the average shopper, so even if they move Balliet's and the Chanel and/or other exclusive retailers in there, retailers with a more mid-to-high price point (not high price point) will likely avoid the place.

I agree, Nichols Hills Plaza has a much nicer feel than Classen Curve ever will. Too bad they spent the money building the Curve instead of fixing up NHP. OKC's lack of a Utica Square-type area is the biggest detriment to not landing certain high end retailers, IMO.

[progressiveboy]

I agree, Nichols Hills Plaza has a much nicer feel than Classen Curve ever will. Too bad they spent the money building the Curve instead of fixing up NHP. OKC's lack of a Utica Square-type area is the biggest detriment to not landing certain high end retailers, IMO.

I personally like the feel of CC because it is something different and is quite forward thinking and innovative in architecture and style. It is not your typical cookie cutter shopping development found all over the OKC area. I am glad that Audrey McClendon and the developer decided to not go with the traditional, provincial look that is found in typical fashion in OKC. This development in Dallas would be a huge hit. Nichols Hills Plaza is nice but I am glad to see other options open up for OKC.

[BG918]

The link posted doesn't specify where this store is going, I would assume Utica Square possibly the vacant Harold's location, but not positive. There is a vacant Harold's in Campus Corner as well...

[metro]

I agree, Nichols Hills Plaza has a much nicer feel than Classen Curve ever will. Too bad they spent the money building the Curve instead of fixing up NHP. OKC's lack of a Utica Square-type area is the biggest detriment to not landing certain high end retailers, IMO.

FYI, they've already publically said that Nichols Hills Plaza renovations are next and will be done in 2 phases. Think of Classen Curve as a decent moving spot until the completely occupied Nichols Hills Plaza gets its renovations. And besides who knows, NONE of us know or have seen Chesapeakes master development plan for the area. It may all make sense once we see the bigger picture. Especially if say Whole Foods (which is rumored to be) moving in adjacent from the NE corner of Classen Curve.

[brownb01]

Utica is the perfect set up for Anthropologie, and as much as I had to admit it, I'll likely drive up to go. It's really one of my all-time favorite stores.

Utica is a spacious, traditional-looking outdoor shopping center in the heart of one of Tulsa's most exclusive neighborhoods. It has big anchor stores and restaurants, and a broad demographic appeal and variety of shops (including some highly successful LOCAL shops and restaurant concepts).

It's destination shopping and fills multiple gaps that a trip to the mall cannot.

OKC has little of its equivalent. Nichols Hills Plaza is close in terms of concept, but it has no major retail anchor, and not chains of anykind (save for Starbucks) - which is both a plus (great local shops) and a minus (can't use local shops to anchor regional/national type stores).

Classen Curve, IMO is a mess. Aesthetically unappealing AS A SHOPPING CONSTRUCT (I generally like most of Rand's work), poor location (across from a graveyard), and has little to no curb appeal.

It will likely also NOT draw in high-enough traffic counts to warrant big-name shopping anytime soon. The structures are intimidating, not at all welcoming to the average shopper, so even if they move Balliet's and the Chanel and/or other exclusive retailers in there, retailers with a more mid-to-high price point (not high price point) will likely avoid the place.

A lot of this changes with the new grocery store going in. It will draw high traffic, and will be an upper end retail location, a lot like utica square. And if ya think about it some...utica doesn't have good curb appeal either from the main street.

Classen Curve will be the closest thing OKC will ever have to Utica Square. The NH plaza is going to dry up with in the next couple of years. Lot of retailers will move to Classen Curve.

[onthestrip]

A lot of this changes with the new grocery store going in. It will draw high traffic, and will be an upper end retail location, a lot like utica square. And if ya think about it some...utica doesn't have good curb appeal either from the main street.

Classen Curve will be the closest thing OKC will ever have to Utica Square. The NH plaza is going to dry up with in the next couple of years. Lot of retailers will move to Classen Curve.

Utica doesnt need much curb appeal because it is a destination, has large anchors and many other smaller tenants. Having a Whole Foods near CC will bring more traffic but it being across the street certainly doesnt help CC very much.

And God help us if CC is the closest thing to Utica we will ever have. However, I dont think that will be the case, always will be something new and improved.

[scootinger]

Classen Curve will be the closest thing OKC will ever have to Utica Square. The NH plaza is going to dry up with in the next couple of years. Lot of retailers will move to Classen Curve.

Will ever have? Maybe for the next few years, but I wouldn't go as far as to say that OKC will never have any sort of retail development on par with Utica Square.

[brownb01]

Will ever have? Maybe for the next few years, but I wouldn't go as far as to say that OKC will never have any sort of retail development on par with Utica Square.

I hope you're right, but so far for the past 35 years...it hasn't happened.

Nichols Hills is the closest thing OKC has to Tulsa's midtown, if anything is to develop with the character of Utica, it will be in this area.

I think you guys will be surprised with CC after it all completed, whole foods and all. It will draw a certain type of crowd, simular to Utica Square, and with the growth of Chesapeake continuing, it will someday evolve into something to be proud off. Lots of areas very near to CC that could still be developed someday in far future, and house large anchor tenants!