Candy Factory

[Lazio85]

For more information: Bunte Candy Factory | Buildings | EMPORIS

[HangryHippo]

Nope, not stalled. Just going on a schedule that is veeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyy slow.

This is good news, in my opinion. I was always very excited at the thought of a POPS in Bricktown.

[Pete]

So, the Pops planned for the ground floor of this building seems to have officially died.


Yesterday, the Chickasaws applied for a $300,000 building permit to take over 6,000 square feet on the ground floor for "retail sales".

I suspect this may be for Bedre Chocolates, which they bought some time ago and recently built a new factory in Davis.

Bedré Fine Chocolates & Factory | Bedré Fine Chocolates


Perhaps this will be a mix of chocolates and other Chickasaw merchandise?

Fitting for the old Bunte Candy structure now called the Candy Factory.

[Steve]

Yep. It died about the time that Aubrey left Chesapeake.

[Spartan]

I hope Aubrey can get back to his POPS project at some point, because surely it must be profitable given their outrageous prices and popularity. That said, a chocolate store sounds pretty good, too.

[betts]

Bedre Chocolates is a great idea, although I worry it will compete with CocoFlow, which I love.

[metro]

I too would hope it's Bedre. I toured the new factory a few months ago, very nice, however their product offerings are somewhat limited. Next door they also have a Chickasaw Info Center/gift shop, but was mainly clothing and art. I would hope they have other Chickasaw owned food brands they could sell in the potential Bricktown store as well. The Chickasaw's are really organized and have marketed their tribe "brand" well.

[shawnw]

As much as I wanted to see Pops in this space back when it was first announced, even if this hadn't died, I'm not sure we have much room left for yet another burger place at this point with everything else that has since been built or announced...

[Anonymous.]

As much as I wanted to see Pops in this space back when it was first announced, even if this hadn't died, I'm not sure we have much room left for yet another burger place at this point with everything else that has since been built or announced...

I see your point, but Pops is a brand that had achieved novelty status and was a destination point. Something like that downtown would have been largely beneficial regardless of what they were serving.

[shawnw]

I see your point, but Pops is a brand that had achieved novelty status and was a destination point. Something like that downtown would have been largely beneficial regardless of what they were serving.

I can see that to an extent, but I feel Pops is a destination mostly for its sodas, some of which are carried by the Bricktown Candy store (I suspect even a Bricktown Pops would only stock a fraction of the sodas they carry in Arcadia, the most popular probably), so I'm not sure there is room for even that. Don't misunderstand me though, I'd love to see them try somewhere else. But I fear the delay and the competition might make it harder for them to succeed vs if they had pushed ahead back then and established their place in the market before these other concepts popped up (NPI) downtown.

[Jeepnokc]

I wonder how many sodas they are selling at the airport for $3.95 each. Seemed a little pricy for a 12 oz soda even in the airport.

[metro]

As much as I wanted to see Pops in this space back when it was first announced, even if this hadn't died, I'm not sure we have much room left for yet another burger place at this point with everything else that has since been built or announced...

I see your point, but Pops is a brand that had achieved novelty status and was a destination point. Something like that downtown would have been largely beneficial regardless of what they were serving.

I can see that to an extent, but I feel Pops is a destination mostly for its sodas, some of which are carried by the Bricktown Candy store (I suspect even a Bricktown Pops would only stock a fraction of the sodas they carry in Arcadia, the most popular probably), so I'm not sure there is room for even that. Don't misunderstand me though, I'd love to see them try somewhere else. But I fear the delay and the competition might make it harder for them to succeed vs if they had pushed ahead back then and established their place in the market before these other concepts popped up (NPI) downtown.

Yeah, Pops not really a burger place, it's a destination because of A.) It's Route 66 location and B.) the soda selection. The food is just average at best. If you've ever been there, you'll know the soda selection really doesn't take up much room. About 6-8 or so regular convenience store freezers, and 2 aisle-based shelves. That's less space than your average small convenience store. This Bricktown space is actually quite large, and could have easily accommodated a regular sized Pops including the food counter. If anything, I could see the Bricktown location doing just as much, and possibly more business because of the high volume of foot traffic (conventioneers, tourists, and locals; not to mention special events.). Not to mention less "dead time" than probably the Arcadia location experiences as well as extended hours during high traffic, events and most weekends/game nights. My bet is although Aubrey is not cash-strapped by any means, he's cut down on the expensive hobby stuff.

[shawnw]

Yes I've been there many times. But I'm completely unfamiliar with the Candy Factory building's capacity. I just presumed it was a smaller space than what they have in Arcadia. If they (or another operator by license) can pull it off, more power to them. Was just concerned about burger-saturation, which has been complained about by others as well on this board in other threads.

I completely forgot about the airport location. How IS that doing??? Anybody know?

[Urbanized]

..If anything, I could see the Bricktown location doing just as much, and possibly more business because of the high volume of foot traffic (conventioneers, tourists, and locals; not to mention special events.)...

That location is also better-suited than any in Bricktown to target CBD workforce. There is still a huge number of downtown workers who walk into Bricktown with regularity for lunch. I will say though, that I have never seen a time when the counter/tables/booths at Pops were not on wait. That place does serious business.

[Pete]

As previously mentioned, the Chicasaws are expending their offices on the ground floor of this building (they currently have space on the north end) and adding a gift shop and art gallery. This was the space where Pops had planned to go before that deal cratered.


I'm sure it will be very similar to the gallery and gift shop in their Cultural Center near Sulphur, which features paintings, art, souvenirs and small gifts as well as Bedre chocolates:

[Spartan]

Bedre Chocolates is a great idea, although I worry it will compete with CocoFlow, which I love.

How do they do? I have been twice and it was deserted, no pun intended

[ljbab728]

http://www.oklahoman.com/article/3947809?embargo=1

Candy — Bedre Chocolates, to be specific — soon will be sold from the Candy Factory Building in Bricktown.

The Chickasaw Nation, which previously located its Chickasaw Country tourism offices in the north half of the building’s first floor, is preparing to open a showcase of the tribe’s art, entertainment and culture in the storefronts facing Bricktown’s main entry at 1 E Sheridan Ave.

[Pete]

Bump to see Steve's article on the Chickasaw store in this building.

[UnFrSaKn]

Chickasaws to open art gallery, store in Oklahoma City's Bricktown district
(Mobile link)

[Pete]

The Chickasaw art gallery and gift shop -- Exhibit C -- just received approval for their signage.

Should be opening soon:

[Urbanized]

I like the modern branding. The Chickasaws do such a great job of promoting native culture without adhering to 19th century imagery.

[Spartan]

Agreed. They are great at rebranding.

[metro]

Agree, however they'll need more than that for the general public and tourists to know what "Exhibit C" is.

[Urbanized]

Yep, I thought the same. I suspect there will be additional signage, perhaps of the window variety..?

[HangryHippo]

Is there a story behind Exhibit C as their name? Seems like a poor choice.