Discovery Stores?

[Luke]

I was reading downtownguy's blog today and the very last line had this random statement:

"Has anyone got any information on Discovery Stores? Are they lurking around Bricktown for a reason?"

My question is, what are Discovery Stores?

Anyone?

[Luke]

PS: It seems as if he's hinting at something...

[mranderson]

I was reading downtownguy's blog today and the very last line had this random statement:

"Has anyone got any information on Discovery Stores? Are they lurking around Bricktown for a reason?"

My question is, what are Discovery Stores?

Anyone?

They are a chain of stores owned by "The Discvery Channel" networks. The stores sell videos and other things related to the programs they air.

I went in one at Mall of America. If you are in to that kind of store, it will be a good experience. I sounds like they are researching Oklahoma City for a location.

[floater]

Science-related gift store:

http://shopping.discovery.com/

Yeah, I think downtownguy was hinting at something. Hope it happens. It would be a nice complement to Bass Pro -- fun, interactive retail!! While we're at it, we attract a kitchen goods store with cooking demonstrations, a musical instrument store, and a toy store!! Add in a bookstore with author visits, and I think you'd have a retail Disneyland in Bricktown!! With something for everyone!!!

[mranderson]

Science-related gift store:

http://shopping.discovery.com/

Yeah, I think downtownguy was hinting at something. Hope it happens. It would be a nice complement to Bass Pro -- fun, interactive retail!! While we're at it, we attract a kitchen goods store with cooking demonstrations, a musical instrument store, and a toy store!! Add in a bookstore with author visits, and I think you'd have a retail Disneyland in Bricktown!! With something for everyone!!!

FAO Schwartz and a Viking store would do for the toys and kitchen supplies. How about a Steinway store for the music. Those would be compliments. FAO Schwartz most people know, Viking I have seen, however, I just tossed out a premier name with Steinway. I really do not know if they have their own stores.

[metro]

FAO Schwarts used to be in OKC, I believe in the Colcord Building. Rumor has it that they have been toying with Downtown OKC again although I think its a year or two out at least.

[mranderson]

FAO Schwarts used to be in OKC, I believe in the Colcord Building. Rumor has it that they have been toying with Downtown OKC again although I think its a year or two out at least.

When were they here? It had to be decades ago. I was raised here and do not remember them being here.

[floater]

OMG, what an FAO Shwartz would do! But I'd take even a Toys R Us. Hmm. Sur La Table or Viking would be good and give Williams-Sonoma a run for their money. In terms of a music store, I thought a place like the former Guitar Center, or local shops like Norman Music or Larsen Music. I wish Books-A-Million would have located in Bricktown instead.

We may be overdoing the chain store bit, but as long as there is interactivity and fun , it provides a destination element that gives people something to do in Bricktown besides eat.

[metro]

Yes, I believe in the 50's-70's or so for FAO Schwartz, there was an article not to long ago, I think on downtownguys site. I also am too young to have gone.

Sur La Table would not give us (Williams-Sonoma) a run for the money. Their products and service are far inferior, we also offer a unconditional lifetime guarantee on everything unlike any place else. Viking would be nice however they sell mostly appliances in which we do not but it would be a great compliment.

[floater]

True about Viking. As far as Sur La Table, you are speaking like the committed W-S agent you are! A W-S downtown would be nice, I don't think they'd have another store in the market, but who knows? Any word over there in the call center about such possibilities?

[metro]

I serioiusly doubt a downtown WS anytime soon, again, I will keep everyone posted on a new WS, Pottery Barn or any of the Williams-Sonoma Inc. brands stores opening in Oklahoma. None are on the new store calendar for next year. If any, I would suspect Spring Creek or West OKC for 2006. I dont work on the phones so I get a little bit more info than the customer service reps.

[mranderson]

Yes, I believe in the 50's-70's or so for FAO Schwartz, there was an article not to long ago, I think on downtownguys site. I also am too young to have gone.

Sur La Table would not give us (Williams-Sonoma) a run for the money. Their products and service are far inferior, we also offer a unconditional lifetime guarantee on everything unlike any place else. Viking would be nice however they sell mostly appliances in which we do not but it would be a great compliment.

You are correct. However, more accuratly phrased, Viking is KNOWN mostly for their appliances. They are the finest made. The Rolls-Royce of ranges. My mom refuses to cook or bake with any other brand. However, the Viking stores carry a very large variety of cooking products. I am sure one can order major appliances, however, the stores carry the rest... And offer demonstrations.

[Luke]

metro,

Tell me about this rumor that FAO Shwarz is eyeing OKC. I'm really curious about that. Didn't they go bankrupt and close up shop and now opening only a few? I remember seeing them building the one in Las Vegas. And I think there's one in Manhattan.

Luke

[downtownguy]

I have nothing to indicate they are coming - they were located in Century Center Plaza about 25 years ago for a brief period of time. They had a sub-brand store at Memorial and Penn until the chain went bankrupt last year. I do not believe there is even a rumor of them coming here. The toy store industry is in decline right now, hit hard by the Wal Mart empire.

[Luke]

Do you, downtownguy, have anything to indicate a Discovery Store may be coming?

[downtownguy]

They're kicking the tires.

[Luke]

I see.

I have been to the Discovery Channel Store in Dallas at the Galleria. I had originally posted this without realizing Discovery Store and Discovery Channel Store were the same thing.

In any case, I just emailed Discovery Channel Store to suggest that they look at putting a store downtown or in bricktown. We'll see how they respond. I'll let you guys know.

[floater]

Downtownguy, any chance the Discovery Channel reps were there tonight? If so, they could only have been impressed.

[downtownguy]

I wouldn't know, Floater. Anybody who was there, however, would be impressed.

[Luke]

Indeed. I'm curious to read the papers tomorrow. Would be great if the AP got ahold of it. Wonder what our sister city thinks? (Tulsa, that is)

[floater]

Yeah, I checked TulsaNow, and there's no mention. If there were any board members there, I would think they'd mention it. I think they'd show a grudging respect, if not some sister city pride.

[Patrick]

I talked to Penn Square and they said Discovery Store had contacted them...unfortunately, they've leased most of their available space, and don't currently have a spae large enough for them. Quail Springs has a few spaces available, but one space is too large, and the others too small. This might cause them to consider downtown....that would be nice! Any ideas downtownguy?

[Luke]

Hm, nice problem to have. All the malls are full so they have to look to Bricktown... maybe.

[metro]

Someone call their corporate headquarters and find out

[Patrick]

I'll contact them via email.