Brown's Bakery property

[PaddyShack]

Wait, have they closed?

[Pete]

Wait, have they closed?

I don't believe they've closed.

[Dob Hooligan]

Good for them. A multi-generational, family business. Always nice to me, and good neighbors in the 1990s when I lived a block from them.

They were on 13th and N. Robinson and then moved to where they are now. They had been at 13th & Robinson for decades IIRC, and then expanded into Edmond before the bust in the early 1980s. The Edmond expansion included a small shopping center the new location was in. The bust forced them into bankruptcy, and they lost the Edmond property as well as 13th & Robinson. They soldiered on as tenants until Bob Moore bought and tore down the building around 1994. When they then moved into the former Humpty-Dumpty and TG&Y building at 10th & Walker, it was both good fortune for them and reflected a commitment to that sketchy part of town.

Clearly, they were successful enough to buy it. But they also suffered the death of family members young and old between now and then. I think they are on the 5th generation of Brown's working there.

[Roger S]

Has the bakery closed?

I've not been there in several years but I know Clarity has/had been selling their donuts.

Didn't pay any attention if what was in Clarity's display the other day was still Brown's.

[Anonymous.]

This is actually two separate parcels. So the total asking is $4.45MM.

I looked it up, and they purchased the property in 1997 for about $166K. Good for them indeed.

[Pete]

I'm quite sure they are operating; probably just looking to cash out and retire.

Everything in green is owned by Midtown Renaissance:

[Roger S]

I'm quite sure they are operating; probably just looking to cash out and retire.

Walked down to Clarity this morning and they still had apple sauce and blueberry donuts from Brown's. So I can confirm they are still operating.

In hindsight I probably should have grabbed one since I may not have the chance to much longer.

[Midtowner]

Glad they're cashing out in a good way. Bummer that there's not a bakery around that remotely compares.

[Pete]

^

What about Harvey Bakery?

Also, Momocha is in Plaza Court.

[Roger S]

^

What about Harvey Bakery?

Also, Momocha is in Plaza Court.

Well that depends on how you want to compare... No one else on the planet makes apple sauce or blueberry cake donuts as amazing as Brown's.... I'll fight you about it!

[OKCretro]

[QUOTE=Dob Hooligan;1213991hey soldiered on as tenants until Bob Moore bought and tore down the building around 1994. When they then moved into the former Humpty-Dumpty and TG&Y building at 10th & Walker[/QUOTE]

wasnt it a homeland in the 90's before brown's moved there?

[BridgeBurner]

^

What about Harvey Bakery?

Also, Momocha is in Plaza Court.

Man, it took me way too long to realize this post was about the rundown bakery by McNellies instead of the beautiful Harvey Bakery on 13th and was wondering why people weren't freaking out haha

[Pete]

I went by today and Brown's is definitely still operating.

[Midtowner]

^

What about Harvey Bakery?

Also, Momocha is in Plaza Court.

I'll be honest, I office about 4 blocks from the Harvey Bakery, but it looks like enough of a chore to park and get inside that Brown's was always the more attractive venue. And it must be a great place. It has been super busy since it opened. The parking lot is usually full and folks are usually parking on the far side of 14th street. From their menu at least, it doesn't look like donuts are served.

And as far as Momocha, I'm not paying $3-fitty a donut. That'll buy you a bear claw at Brown's. And $34/dozen compared to $15 at Brown's? $10/dozen at Dunk'n. I know they gotta pay the rent, but those must be some magical donuts to go for twice or 3.5x the going local price.

[Dob Hooligan]

wasnt it a homeland in the 90's before brown's moved there?

I said that because my parents told me that when they lived in the area around 1950, the building housed a new Humpty-Dumpty in the north side and (IIRC) a TG&Y in the south.

[Bits_Of_Real_Panther]

I'll be honest, I office about 4 blocks from the Harvey Bakery, but it looks like enough of a chore to park and get inside that Brown's was always the more attractive venue. And it must be a great place. It has been super busy since it opened. The parking lot is usually full and folks are usually parking on the far side of 14th street. From their menu at least, it doesn't look like donuts are served.

And as far as Momocha, I'm not paying $3-fitty a donut. That'll buy you a bear claw at Brown's. And $34/dozen compared to $15 at Brown's? $10/dozen at Dunk'n. I know they gotta pay the rent, but those must be some magical donuts to go for twice or 3.5x the going local price.

Wait, so you are saying you've never exerted the effort (4 blocks!) to visit harvey bakery ?

I get it! First time I stopped by on the weekend in gym shorts and whatnot,wearing a mask. For a takeout order - and felt totally out of place...

Fast forward a number of months, and I discovered their online takeout ordering system works like a well oiled machine! Try it sometime, they have a takeout window on the Harvey side, no need to go inside and pretend to be a fancy ass!

https://www.toasttab.com/harvey-bakery-kitchen-okc/v3

Back on topic, interested to see what becomes of the Brown's property...any predictions?

[Pete]

And as far as Momocha, I'm not paying $3-fitty a donut. That'll buy you a bear claw at Brown's. And $34/dozen compared to $15 at Brown's? $10/dozen at Dunk'n. I know they gotta pay the rent, but those must be some magical donuts to go for twice or 3.5x the going local price.

They are mochi donuts which are richer and completely different. And they are doing great business.

But yes, Brown's is cheap. They are also only open to 11AM most days and 1PM others.

[HOT ROD]

I recall the old school, Geronimo's on MLK. Those were good eats!

[dankrutka]

I'll be honest, I office about 4 blocks from the Harvey Bakery, but it looks like enough of a chore to park and get inside that Brown's was always the more attractive venue. And it must be a great place. It has been super busy since it opened. The parking lot is usually full and folks are usually parking on the far side of 14th street. From their menu at least, it doesn't look like donuts are served.

Have you tried just walking the four blocks? Parking hassle solved.

[Plutonic Panda]

Have you tried just walking the four blocks? Parking hassle solved.

Personally I would walk and I agree it doesn’t seem like a big deal but there should be ample parking for those who need/want to drive. So telling someone to walk is a sorry excuse to justify saying there isn’t a parking issue.

[Jersey Boss]

Have you tried just walking the four blocks? Parking hassle solved.

Walking 8 blocks round trip in the summer heat is not conducive to meeting clients or going to court. Mid is an attorney and doesn't want to look or smell like he is coming from the gym, imo.

[Bill Robertson]

I so miss the Saturday OBS rides from Will Rogers to Browns.

[Midtowner]

Walking 8 blocks round trip in the summer heat is not conducive to meeting clients or going to court. Mid is an attorney and doesn't want to look or smell like he is coming from the gym, imo.

Bingo. While some of y'all can wear those gym shorts, making that walk in a wool suit or even a summer weight suit in 100 degree weather is not ideal. It must be a good place as it is always full of people. At all hours.

[WileyPostage]

Regarding the Brown's Bakery building -- when it was built in the late 1940s as Clyde's Supermarket the building was innovative enough to be featured in Progressive Architecture magazine. There's a nice write-up about the building's history and its architect, Joseph N. Boaz, on the OKCMod blog: https://okcmod.com/2015/10/a-visit-t...t-supermarket/. It'd be wonderful to someday see all those covered-up windows restored.

[Pete]

^

So interesting!

Thanks for sharing.