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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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???

[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...

[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.

[okcpulse]

Tuscana is still on track, BTW...

Tuscana

http://www.rcldevelopment.com/quail_springs.php

I check with the developers from time to time for a status.

[metro]

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.

So are you saying we should get rid of our "retail recruiter" or that our "retail recruiter" is doing a good job. Let me ask you this, in the last 4 years, what major retailers has the Chamber and CVB really landed. I don't buy the "NBA" answer as Bennett and Co. were already deadset on moving the team here.

[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.

[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.

[OKCMallen]

I think Bricktown is the answer. Plenty of undeveloped space that could easily become retail. Already a high foot-traffic area. Already an area with many hotels within walking distance.

[soonerguru]

And I second what was said about Classen Curve. I actually think it's a disaster. It would seem to me based on general track record that the person most able to deliver in this town development-wise is Randy Hogan. Granted, Lower Bricktown is less than ideal, but if anyone could put together a Utica Square-style development in OKC it would be him, in my opinion.

[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.

[OKCTalker]

The main problem with Classen Curve and Nichols Hills Plaza is that its owner is an energy exploration guy, not a real estate guy, and this is a sidelight for him. I know the same could be said for Utica Square's owner, Walt Helmerich, but he's been running Utica for 46 years, and has done a helluva good job with branding, cosmetics and marketing. Now, for 30 of the past 46 years Tulsa had a reputaton for being more "cosmopolitan" and all of that, but OKC has pulled away ever since. It's OKC's time to excel, but we won't succeed if our local retail development leader has only two ideas: A campus so full of cookie-cutter buildings that it looks like low-income housing, or baffling, cold and unappealing buildings designed by Rand Elliot. Sorry to be so blunt, but we're not going to win with this strategy.

[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...

[shane453]

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...

I think all the space vacated by Harold's is already occupied again- they had an outlet which is now Iron Starr Urban BBQ, and the main store which is now an expansion of Cafe Plaid. I think they also had offices in Sooner Theater, and that is Chipotle and Subway now.

I would think Campus Corner would be ideal for Urban/Antropologie, it is the most organic urban shopping district in the state next to the densest concentration of young, urban (future) professionals in the state.

[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.

[betts]

Campus Corner doesn't have the right demographics for Anthro. Surprisingly, their most active demographic is 30 to 40 somethings with a reasonably high income, which is why Nichols Hills Plaza and Classen Curve would be the perfect location, if conditions were right. Urban would be perfect in Norman, however. I don't know where they're going in Tulsa, but I would expect Utica Square.

The reason Nichols Hills Plaza didn't get remodeled is the intransigence of some of the people living around there. Aubrey wanted to add a third storey to both sides and put housing above the shops. Neighbors threw a fit about parking and what they felt would be higher traffic, as well as not wanting a third storey to block their view of something. But, when you make changes in NH, everybody gets involved, and you don't have to be much more than a property owner to have some degree of power. He got really frustrated with all the negativity, I heard, and that's why he built Classen Curve. If it had been bigger or if it lures any retail over from the Plaza, it's really going to hurt Nichols Hills, which relies on water sales and sales tax to fund their police and fire departments.