Midtown

[HOT ROD]

while I agree this is a boon for AAlley and retail in downtown, I think it would have been a much bigger and better boon for Stockyard's City. It would have been much more appropriate in Stockyard's City, since the vibe of AAlley is urban, modern, contemporary, and 'not western' and I think the city should really develop SC into it's WESTERN/Cowboy destination and let AAlley and Midtown become true urban "CITY" hot spots.

But nonetheless, hopefully this new store will help build downtown and it is a 'destination' retail shoppe. It also is a retail location, although I'd hope they would not totally vacate Norman, if only for Norman's sake.

I highly doubt the claim Mason made that this will be downtown's most valuable inventory - 'ever heard of BC Clark, flagship is down the street and Im sure they have the largest value of a downtown retailer. ...'

[The Old Downtown Guy]

Very good points about Stock Yards City and BC Clark Hot Rod . . . it's still interesting how little thought people give to what they say that winds up in print.

Good news for the emerging Steve Mason 9th Street real estate empire, but the facts are a little off. Tenna Hicks mens clothing store in the Corporate Tower has a several hundred K in inventory . . . has been successful for many years . . . understands downtown specialty retail better than anyone around.

[okclee]

I have seen that this building is in process of being remodeled. It will be apartments for lease. Approx. 12 units available.

901 N.W. 13th

[lasomeday]

HOT ROD

The problem with Stockyard City is that it is full. There are some automotive businesses that should be converted to retail, but they aren't. If Stockyard City had buildings ready to move in, then I am sure it would have been an option, but currently none are ready. A developer or architect needs to go in there and rennovate some of the businesses along Exchange Ave. There are some lots and metal buildings that could be torn down or used to build a district hotel. The area already has retail and stores all it needs is a boutique hotel to make it an official destination.

Broadway has so much potential for retail. I am looking forward to seeing the store open.

[soonerguru]

while I agree this is a boon for AAlley and retail in downtown, I think it would have been a much bigger and better boon for Stockyard's City. It would have been much more appropriate in Stockyard's City, since the vibe of AAlley is urban, modern, contemporary, and 'not western' and I think the city should really develop SC into it's WESTERN/Cowboy destination and let AAlley and Midtown become true urban "CITY" hot spots.

But nonetheless, hopefully this new store will help build downtown and it is a 'destination' retail shoppe. It also is a retail location, although I'd hope they would not totally vacate Norman, if only for Norman's sake.

I highly doubt the claim Mason made that this will be downtown's most valuable inventory - 'ever heard of BC Clark, flagship is down the street and Im sure they have the largest value of a downtown retailer. ...'

Hotrod,

She knows what she's doing and Auto Alley is better for her than Stockyards would be. Lorec Ranch did NOT do well in Stockyards. And to quell your concerns, Rawhide is very chic and will fit in well in the area. It could possibly be a boon for retail in general on Automobile Alley.

[Spartan]

I want a cowhide rug for my downtown loft after I finish my degree.

As for Stockyards City, who has the time of day to figure out what it will take to make that area be successful? Automobile Alley is doing so much better, so much more potential right now, and so much easier to be successful in.

[jbrown84]

I saw that today. Good job, whoever's doing it.

[jbrown84]

while I agree this is a boon for AAlley and retail in downtown, I think it would have been a much bigger and better boon for Stockyard's City. It would have been much more appropriate in Stockyard's City, since the vibe of AAlley is urban, modern, contemporary, and 'not western' and I think the city should really develop SC into it's WESTERN/Cowboy destination and let AAlley and Midtown become true urban "CITY" hot spots.

I knew these kind of comments would be made. We don't have to ghettoize everything "western" into the Stockyards.

[HOT ROD]

I wasn't attempting to ghettoize Stockyard's City, I was only suggesting that such a western store could "ADD" to Stockyard's City and make it more of a destination.

This city doesn't have a 'master plan' or if it does, it doesn't stick to it. I am all for retail coming downtown and into AAlley, but I think we need it to be our 'urban/chic' district. I would like to see it become OKC's premier upscale urban district, personally since OKC doesn't have one.

As for SC, it may be full or tapped out, but it needs a stimulus and needs to become a destination. OKC needs more than JUST Bricktown and it IS telling of how small OKC is that we ONLY brag about family-tourist oriented Bricktown as the 'place to be in OK-See'. This is the small-time mindset of leadership in 3rd tier cities who fail to promote the entire city or other PLACES that need nourishment and growth.

I think we need to chalk-up other districts and the city needs to promote development according to a master plan for the city. If Stockyard City was truly the Western/Country destination for OKC - where locals would be truly proud to bring out of town visitors to see world class culture/heritage and shopping in that district, then I'd be all the more happy for this new establishment -Rawhide, to be going into downtown.

But we are not there yet, and although I agree this should add to the success of AAlley, I think it could have done much more for SC and we should focus on more 'urban/hip' retail for AAlley. That, according to a master plan, could be 'encouraged' by the city and OKC would begin to loose it's 'boring' city label as we could promote districts much like other cities do.

I really think the city should develop a Master Plan, especially for it's cultural and entertainment districts: Asia District, Capital Hill, Bricktown, AAlley, Midtown, Uptown, Paseo, Plaza, Stockyard's City, University, Eastside/23rd Street, Classen/Western, Arts District, Core 2 Shore/Downtown South, Film Row, WestTowne, Adventure District, Meridian, Riverside - they should ALL have a focus or REASON to visit, and be true destinations among the city.

Like in Seattle, Chicago, NY (and other major cities), OKC's historical/cultural/entertainment districts should act like mini-downtown areas each with specific focus and amenities (common retail, theme restaurants/hotels, venues) that makes each district a destination itself yet all together make OKC a true City with much to see and do.

This is the Potential that I have always known OKC to have WAY BEFORE MAPS was even contrived - NOW is the time for the city to step up and truly move to the next level of being a big city.

[Spartan]

A ranch furniture store would have difficulty in type casting itself as anything but kitschy in the Stockyards. In A-Alley it could appeal to a more urban, upscale demographic. A-Alley is just where the momentum is, on top of that. Stockyards really doesn't have any momentum. This thing will be a slam dunk, I hope, in A-Alley.

[soonerguru]

For the last time, Rawhide is "chic." To the extent it's Western, it would appeal to people who live in NYC and want to decorate their "cabin" in Vail.

[ljbab728]

I want a cowhide rug for my downtown loft after I finish my degree.

As for Stockyards City, who has the time of day to figure out what it will take to make that area be successful? Automobile Alley is doing so much better, so much more potential right now, and so much easier to be successful in.

Spartan, what is your defintion of successful? Stockyards City is an actual working stockyards area unlike the one in Fort Worth. While it would be great to have that area as a big tourist draw and more things could be towards that goal, the main focus for what is already there has been and still is the stockyards and related businesses. It seems that the majority of businesses that are there have been there for many years and have been successful without tourists.

[MikeOKC]

Hot Rod, What's with all the love for central planning? I don't expect my municipal government to determine what retail stores go where. If Rawhide thinks AA is the place to be - why would the city government have any interest in telling them they "need" to be in Stockyard City? This a business decision that should be made by Rawhide - period.

"Master Plans" by the government for locating retail business where they think they should locate sounds like old Soviet Five-Year Plans.

Pardon the french, but sometimes (unless it's a health or safety issue) City Hall just needs to get the hell out of the way.

[HOT ROD]

central planning as you put it, or master plans - is the reason why you and many other think well planned cities are 'world class' or worth visiting.

No successful city (other than OKC) is thrown together in a hodge podge with no master plan or guide/focus, and cities (like OKC) that are a hodge podge usually are not seen as worth visiting because no visitor in their right mind has time or effort to look through the entire city for what they might find interesting. It is true that OKC has just about everything in other major cities, but it is all over the place - and this makes OKC less desireable to those not from here.

Example, Chicago is a very well planned city complete with districts and neighbourhoods. These districts have a common theme that have something different than other 'hoods throughout the city. Most people who visit Chicago think it is a world class city, and it is because of the amount of amenities and attractions that are available; in concentrations at various locations throughout the city.

This is something I am recommending to OKC, on a smaller scale - of course.

Don't confuse what I am recommending "Master Plan" with the thought that I do not want "organic" retail to follow. By contrast, if OKC puts the plan together - it would help encourage retail in an organic but PLANNED way.

Don't worry; City Hall wouldn't control what goes in a 'hood, neighbourhood council's would (see Bricktown Committee). But there would clearly be a master plan that the city would desire for an area, and it would be encouraged by the plan and enforced by the steering committees.

Even though Bricktown (and possibly other) districts in OKC have steering committees, I don't think they have a master plan for their district(s). And there definitely isn't a master plan for OKC in general, because if it were - we could send a COMMON message to tourists and businesses about OKC's attractions and amenities; instead today it is hodge podge and mostly random people writing what they want to promote (or more frankly, whose businesses they want to promote). The ONLY place I can think of that has a master plan, well 2 of them, is Memorial Road (in areas around Quail) and the emerging Chesapeake/Classen district (although it seems to be moreso in Aubrey's head or he at least isn't disclosing it as of yet).

I'm all for organic retail, and am not against Rawhide specifically. I was just thinking SC could use the nourishment and it might help make it more of a destination, since AAlley is already on it's way as an urban hot spot. And a master plan could have helped the city leadership at least have a vision for the city and be able to encourage/promote it. that's all.

[soonerguru]

I can't believe people on this forum are questioning this wonderful store. This is an outstanding development for downtown retail, possibly the biggest deal in years. We should be ecstatic about this announcement. Come on, people.

[HOT ROD]

dont get me wrong guru, Im estatic as you. I just hope we can nurture more of the inner city and 'to me' this might have helped SC moreso. but that's my opinion.

[Urban Pioneer]

I think that it is great that we are actually getting some "real" retail going in downtown proper. Probably one of the better things about this project, is that she isn't relying on sidewalk foot traffic. The members of this forum won't be "crossing their fingers" and debating for a year (like the Coffee Slingers thread) as to whether or not its going to make it.

And retail attracts more retail. I am sorry to hear though that the home furnishing store (BD Home) is moving out to Classen Curve from the house next to Sara Sara Cupcakes. It has already outgrown its space and Aubrey has snatched them up. They are headed for Classen Curve apparently. If you haven't been in that little shop, it has some cool modern furniture and a catalog library for ordering product they can't display. My hats off to them for being successful though. Perhaps they have proven that boutique modern stores can make it downtown too.

[Spartan]

central planning as you put it, or master plans - is the reason why you and many other think well planned cities are 'world class' or worth visiting.

No successful city (other than OKC) is thrown together in a hodge podge with no master plan or guide/focus,

Houston?

[Kerry]

Very good points about Stock Yards City and BC Clark Hot Rod . . . it's still interesting how little thought people give to what they say that winds up in print.

Good news for the emerging Steve Mason 9th Street real estate empire, but the facts are a little off. Tenna Hicks mens clothing store in the Corporate Tower has a several hundred K in inventory . . . has been successful for many years . . . understands downtown specialty retail better than anyone around.

Umm - I have seen individual hand carved beds and dinning room tables go for over $100,000 each. I wouldn't pay that much but there are people that do.

[okclee]

I think Stockyards needs to help itself more before trying to land retail such as this. To me the Stockyards have hit a wall as far as attracting tourists.

Not sure who or what they have in the way of district association or represenative.

[Architect2010]

Houston?

I think you just added to his point. Houston is not the type of city we should emulate. Not that it's not a world class city, it is. But not the type OKC should idolize. But please don't take that wrong Spartan; I know you have ties of some sort to that city.

[Spartan]

I know, I was just seeing who would respond first with the typical, "Aww hell no, not Houston!!" haha.

[MikeOKC]

Hot Rod, The planning you seem to want is planning that tells new retailers to our city WHERE they should (or even should be allowed to) locate. Read your long ranting post about SC and AA again. You make it sound like the City of OKC has done something terrible by "allowing" Rawhide to put their store in AA. Planning developments is one thing - telling retailers where they can, and cannot, put stores is ridiculous. THAT'S what I mean when I write of your continuing love for Central Planning. By the way, Central Planning and a Master Plan are two very different things.

And yes, there are obvious exceptions when a city SHOULD tell a retailer it simply cannot locate in a given place (health, safety, whatever). But choosing one area of town over another is not a reason.

[Rover]

Ah Comrade, tell us were we can be.

[BDP]

I know, I was just seeing who would respond first with the typical, "Aww hell no, not Houston!!" haha.

Can I be second? ; )