Classen Circle

[luke911]

Great work Pete! This is exciting news and I hope that the Josh is able to move forward with this to keep these buildings around.

[dankrutka]

Awesome win for OKC!

[Pete]

So many layers of awesomeness about this story.

Could prove to be a big turning point in many ways.

[Urbanized]

So many layers of awesomeness about this story.

Could prove to be a big turning point in many ways.

Not to be a Debby Downer but many of us also thought this when the picketers prevailed and BankOne dropped plans to demolish the Gold Dome, instead selling it to John Belardo and Irene Lam. Not to mention that there have been so many other incredible back-from-the-dead success stories over the past 10 years (Skirvin, Plaza Court, Plaza DISTRICT, 9th Street, pretty much anything done by Pivot) that the whole demo-in-favor-of-crap argument shouldn't even gain traction on great old buildings, yet it still does, and still will.

That said, this is very exciting news and I will be holding my breath until it is secured and renovated.

[Pete]

^

The difference is this building is outside any design review area and I believe the whole thing will cause the Planning Department to start a process to inventory ALL important buildings in OKC.

I'm certainly going to do my part in helping to make that happen as it just makes plain sense and has been a completely overlooked issue.

[Urbanized]

^^^^^
The Gold Dome was also outside of design review but I agree with your point that it will hopefully drive creation of a list of local structures worth protecting, regardless of location. Founders is of course next on the firing line. I remember not long ago that NYC had created a trust that could buy threatened buildings and even businesses deemed important to NYC's heritage. I am trying to find an article about it now, but I believe this was very recently and perhaps partly driven by the loss of the Carnegie Deli.

[Jersey Boss]

^^ if I am not mistaken, Jacqueline Kennedy had a role in this agency/commission. It has been a thing for quite sometime, starting in the 60's or early 70's.

[soonerguru]

Big congrats on breaking this big news story. Way to go, Pete!

[Urbanized]

^^ if I am not mistaken, Jacqueline Kennedy had a role in this agency/commission. It has been a thing for quite sometime, starting in the 60's or early 70's.

Not arguing at all but I do remember reading about some additional protection that was enacted in the past year or so, and it was driven by the closing(s) of several notable landmark businesses that were fundamental to the character of their neighborhoods in Manhattan.

[Joe Kimball]

At the very least, each restaurant and bar on the site should have an item on their respective menus in honor of Pete, when all is said and done. This is a top-quality effort that will, by all indications so far, leave a lasting and positive legacy. Many thanks, sir.

I, for one, will not only make an effort to patronize each business at least monthly, but I'll even go back to Braum's! Except for the shakes, burgers, and possibly the hand-dipped ice cream; that will be a game-time decision. And apparently the fries now have made an appearance on the undercard.

[TheTravellers]

Yay, good to hear!

Saw an ad in this week's Gazette for the HiLo that said "Final HILOWEEN Bash @ Donnay Building" on 10/31, though. It was obviously printed way before this news, but sounds like the HiLo is planning on moving when their lease is up...

[bchris02]

Yay, good to hear!

Saw an ad in this week's Gazette for the HiLo that said "Final HILOWEEN Bash @ Donnay Building" on 10/31, though. It was obviously printed way before this news, but sounds like the HiLo is planning on moving when their lease is up...

I had heard this as well. Do you have any idea where the new location is going to be? I also wonder if the bar itself will be much of a draw in a different location. Part of the charm of the HiLo is its location. I imagine that will be hard to replicate anywhere else.

With that said, I don't blame them for moving especially if they got the ball rolling when it looked like Braum's razing the place was a sure bet.

[Paseofreak]

Heard an inside snippet that a potential location may be the former Brow Parlour at 313 NW 23rd. It has that grand sweeping staircase to the second floor and the sign would look great there.

[bchris02]

Heard an inside snippet that a potential location may be the former Brow Parlour at 313 NW 23rd. It has that grand sweeping staircase to the second floor and the sign would look great there.

That would be awesome if it were the case! Plus, it's within walking distance of where I live.

Do you know if they are going to remain smoking or go non-smoking once they move?

[Paseofreak]

Pretty sure ownership are pretty adamant smokers. See Lost Highway.

[stile99]

They should buy a Braum's, knock it down, and build the bar there.

[Urbanized]

Would hope that new owner would convince them to stay and maybe they open a new concept in any location they were looking to for a replacement. The HiLo belongs in the Donnay.

[Pete]

I've talked to the owner of the HiLo many times.

They very much want to stay put and even said they would be happy to pay more rent if the place would be fixed up and properly maintained.

However, they have started looking for a new location because until my story came out, they had no idea there was a firm prospect of a new owner saving it. The current property manager just told them they would probably have to be out when their lease expired next February, and of course they need time to find a new place and get moved and settled.

They will continue to seek a new site as a back up plan because they can't merely sit and hope everything works out... But the preference is to stay.

I do know they have already spoken to the prospective buyer and they is hope that things can be worked out, but there is also a due diligence period for the buyer and they have to figure out exactly what has to be done in the short-term and longer-term before they close on the purchase.

[hoya]

They should buy a Braum's, knock it down, and build the bar there.

That's awesome.

[Pete]

My understanding is that inspections and due diligence have been going well and that this property should be sold to the new owners not long after the first of the year.

[soonerguru]

As of today, I ended my boycott of Braum's. I was treated warmly by the grocery attendant and was somewhat impressed with the cleanliness and selection.

[TheTravellers]

As of today, I ended my boycott of Braum's. I was treated warmly by the grocery attendant and was somewhat impressed with the cleanliness and selection.

Wish I could say the same, I'm probably done with them forever. Shame, because I really miss their eggnog, nobody makes it as good as they do (in OKC that I've found, at least). Wife says it's probably a good thing because now she won't want to drink the whole half-gallon in 1 sitting.

[mugofbeer]

Maybe this whole thing will have a silver lining. Braums came into this with some level of arrogance. The issue brought up some other problems at Braums stores such as quality, cleanliness and employee quality. Once it got out people started publicizing Braums shortcomings and reminded them they are a business and can not do things the way they were doing or lose significant business. Maybe they will be a little bit more of an upstanding corporate citizen and not just a business.

[TheTravellers]

Maybe this whole thing will have a silver lining. Braums came into this with some level of arrogance. The issue brought up some other problems at Braums stores such as quality, cleanliness and employee quality. Once it got out people started publicizing Braums shortcomings and reminded them they are a business and can not do things the way they were doing or lose significant business. Maybe they will be a little bit more of an upstanding corporate citizen and not just a business.

I seriously doubt they've lost that much business (and if so, us boycotters are more than made up for by new customers that think Braum's is just fine), and I seriously doubt they'll change the way they do business. Revisit this post in about a year and see if things have changed for Braum's by then, betting they won't...

Back on-topic - yay, glad the purchase is moving forward, hopefully it won't end in some renovation money-pit type of situation.

[oklip955]

If anyone wants better eggnog then Baums (if you are bocating them or not) , go to Natural Grocers or maybe Whole Foods for Kalona eggnog. I won't say they are cheap but they use their cream top milk and put a load of spices in it. Nothing artifical, just have to shake it up before pouring. It beats Braums by miles.