West Elm

[warreng88]

A good option would be to get some tables out there and get a food truck to set up outside the store. Split the cost with Anthropologie and see what happens. It is such a huge space and it is a shame it is going to waste.

[soonerguru]

Went today. Like it much better than the Dallas store at Mockingbird Station. It was weird, though, when I asked the host about the cafe. He looked at me like I was from Mars. Then, he caught himself and said he "had heard about some kind of restaurant" opening adjacent to the building. It was really weird, because the NewsOK article made a big deal about the cafe and the people working at West Elm were clueless about it.

[kjones]

Nice addition.. but overall furniture it pretty cheap quality with expensive price tag.

[Urbanized]

Apparently the opening blew away West Elm's expectations, and ranked third in company history behind Chelsea (NYC) and Toronto openings. I also heard a ridiculously large sales number for the two hour VIP event last Wednesday, but it probably would be inappropriate for me to share here. Nevertheless, OKC was apparently a corporate afterthought for them before they opened and now...not so much.

Certainly likely to help Gilmcher's leasing effort at CC/Triangle/NHP.

[betts]

As usual. Anthropologie has been significantly outperforming expectations since they opened as well. Those two stores and Whole Foods are probably very synergistic. Imagine if the whole triangle were developed, linked to the Curve and the Plaza. You'd have a not so poor man's Highland Park.

[AP]

That's good to know. I'm glad we waited to stop by, sounds like it was pretty packed for the opening.

[Urbanized]

Could portend well for a Rejuvenation, which would probably be an excellent fit in this market, long on Craftsman Bungalow and traditional housing stock.

[adaniel]

Glad to hear, but not surprised, this has been quite successful.

Don't quote me on this, but someone told me OKC is a top 10-15 furniture market by per capita sales volume. I'm sure the activity from Mathis Bros. has helped, but interesting nonetheless if true.

[okclee]

Not surprised this is a huge success.
But when will the new to the area national retailers learn that OKC should never be an afterthought? The numbers are starting to stack up to prove that OKC is a unique market that is under served.

[soonerguru]

Apparently the opening blew away West Elm's expectations, and ranked third in company history behind Chelsea (NYC) and Toronto openings. I also heard a ridiculously large sales number for the two hour VIP event last Wednesday, but it probably would be inappropriate for me to share here. Nevertheless, OKC was apparently a corporate afterthought for them before they opened and now...not so much.

Certainly likely to help Gilmcher's leasing effort at CC/Triangle/NHP.

Urbanized, doesn't the Chamber have a retail recruiter? Is it possible for them to compile and share this data with other retailers? We knew this would work. So would Crate & Barrel, Costco, and Trader Joe's, to name a few. OKC has arrived and every new retail opening is a mad dash because this is an underserved metro. Times have changed. Any way to get on the radar with these folks?

[Rover]

Not only does the chamber work this, a number of commercial realty firms actively/aggressively recruit potential tenants for existing and proposed properties as part of their business. Lots of people work on it.

[soonerguru]

Not only does the chamber work this, a number of commercial realty firms actively/aggressively recruit potential tenants for existing and proposed properties as part of their business. Lots of people work on it.

So what can they do to get us on the radar with more of these retailers? Any ideas?

[Urbanized]

The Chamber does have a retail recruiter and actually travels to national retail shows, actively selling OKC to potential merchants as a retail destination. However, individual sales numbers like West Elm's are proprietary. A retailer like WE can divulge them voluntarily of course, but usually the best the Chamber can do is provide raw sales tax figures by ZIP code. Honestly though, I think what has held OKC back has not been Chamber effort but rather the lack of a good modern (meaning not an enclosed mall) upscale retail property with associated national developer/leasing company. I think Gilmcher and the CC/Triangle/NHP combination has the potential to change all of that. The success of the outlet mall has also helped.

[soonerguru]

The Chamber does have a retail recruiter and actually travels to national retail shows, actively selling OKC to potential merchants as a retail destination. However, individual sales numbers like West Elm's are proprietary. A retailer like WE can divulge them voluntarily of course, but usually the best the Chamber can do is provide raw sales tax figures by ZIP code. Honestly though, I think what has held OKC back has not been Chamber effort but rather the lack of a good modern (meaning not an enclosed mall) upscale retail property with associated national developer/leasing company. I think Gilmcher and the CC/Triangle/NHP combination has the potential to change all of that. The success of the outlet mall has also helped.

Thank you. Didn't consider the fact that retailers wouldn't release their sales data. I hate relying on private developers to anchor our retail recruitment strategy, because in most cases they are simply trying to lease up as quickly as possible. A more concentrated and focused effort by the City and Chamber seems to be more desirable, because finding the synergies for expanding options is a big-picture goal, whereas an individual property owner is probably more focused on the short term.

[Rover]

Thank you. Didn't consider the fact that retailers wouldn't release their sales data. I hate relying on private developers to anchor our retail recruitment strategy, because in most cases they are simply trying to lease up as quickly as possible. A more concentrated and focused effort by the City and Chamber seems to be more desirable, because finding the synergies for expanding options is a big-picture goal, whereas an individual property owner is probably more focused on the short term.

I think you sell some of these people, their intentions, and their efforts short. Some cheap strip centers need to fill up asap, but they aren't the ones out recruiting important national accounts. Subway sandwiches is NOT a strategic account, but Trader Joes is. Trust me, a developer wants those kinds of stores because they know the demographics and traffic they will bring. I'm not saying the developers are altruistic, but they do think strategically.

[Pete]

Thank you. Didn't consider the fact that retailers wouldn't release their sales data. I hate relying on private developers to anchor our retail recruitment strategy, because in most cases they are simply trying to lease up as quickly as possible. A more concentrated and focused effort by the City and Chamber seems to be more desirable, because finding the synergies for expanding options is a big-picture goal, whereas an individual property owner is probably more focused on the short term.

By far the biggest catalysts for new retailers coming to a market are the commerical real estate brokers.

I did this for over seven years in OKC and was responsible for several chains moving to OKC.

There are about 30-50 brokers who focus on retail properties in OKC and and who spend all day every day contacting retailers, marketing the City and specific properties, and trying to get them to come to town.

All the developers hire brokers and they package up demographics any other helpful info and call, call, call.

[soonerguru]

By far the biggest catalysts for new retailers coming to a market are the commerical real estate brokers.

I did this for over seven years in OKC and was responsible for several chains moving to OKC.

There are about 30-50 brokers who focus on retail properties in OKC and and who spend all day every day contacting retailers, marketing the City and specific properties, and trying to get them to come to town.

All the developers hire brokers and they package up demographics any other helpful info and call, call, call.

Thanks. I didn't consider that, either.

[Pete]

I heard the Coffee Beanery may be taking the space directly west of West Elm, which would explain why WE scrapped their cafe.

Coffee Beanery ~ Flavored Coffee, Specialty Coffee, Coffee Gifts and Coffee Makers

[warreng88]

I heard the Coffee Beanery may be taking the space directly west of West Elm, which would explain why WE scrapped their cafe.

Coffee Beanery ~ Flavored Coffee, Specialty Coffee, Coffee Gifts and Coffee Makers

That would make sense. I am curious if they try to add some tables to the area between WE and Anthro for a patio as it doesn't look like there is really any room for one on that end.

[Pete]

Remember, that space at the far west end has it's own cool covered area:

[warreng88]

Remember, that space at the far west end has it's own cool covered area:

I know, but it is not as big as the other one (that's what she said...)

[Pete]

Spoke to a manger at this store and surprise, surprise... They have been surpassing their projections.

And things are only going to pick up once Glimcher builds up around them.

[Mr. Cotter]

Any idea what that ~500 square feet of empty, half finished, space between WestElm and Zoes is for?

[Pete]

Any idea what that ~500 square feet of empty, half finished, space between WestElm and Zoes is for?

Some of that space is West Elm storage; but I do think there is a bit more there not being used by another.

Also, the parking situation for Zoe's is pretty bizarre. There are only a few spaces near Zoe's and everyone else has to park way down by Anthropologie.

[Mr. Cotter]

Interesting. The space I'm thinking of has just been used as storage before. It has been full of Zoes construction junk for months, but it has its own door and the west wall is the same glass Zoes has. The walls are up with joint compound, but not finished. If it's long term storage, that's a terrible (and ugly) use. It's not big enough to be much, though. If it weren't next to Whole Foods and across 63rd from Starbucks, a coffee shop would fit. I'll just hold out the sure to die hope that it becomes a non-smoking bar. This is one of the only locations within walking distance of my new office.