Oklahoma Factory Shoppes - I40 & Council

[jbrown84]

Actually, we were in OKC for the festival and my fiance asked me if OKC had an outlet mall. I told her we used to (on far NW Exprwy) but it isn't there anymore. I dont know why that failed other than lack of access, I suppose - as it was in the middle of no-where back when it was constructed. There is a freeway out there now, the outler loop toll road, so maybe it might come back also - I think OKC could support 2 or 3 outlet malls.

That mall still exists, but it was converted to an outdoor center and they aren't really outlets anymore. And it never was on the level of this proposal. It had like Ross and TJ Maxx and Linens and Things.

[stlokc]

I don't think I made myself clear in my earlier post, and I'm sorry. I agree completely that OKC needs more shopping options, and can support them.

What I meant is that I hope these new power centers bring something NEW to the market, a higher level of retail then exists in OKC right now. I don't mean to be a downer, but my gut tells me that the reason Quail Springs and the existing centers with Borders, Best Buy, Home Depot, etc. are always so crowded is that they cater to everybody with $20 in their wallet, basically the entire spectrum of the city. The types of retail operations that I hope are attracted by the new centers would cater to a far smaller market. St. Louis, MO has 2.6 million people and only has one or two of what I would call "higher class" power centers, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, REI, Crate & Barrel, etc. It's unreasonable to think OKC can support more than one or two of them. So if all these new centers get built, and I hope they do, there will probably be some new to the market retail, but there will also be a lot of new branches of what is already in OKC, or new stores like Belk or something that might be new but aren't really "advancing the market." All of this is fine. I'm all for more options. My only concern from my post is that if all these places are going to be trying for the same handful of higher-end tenants, they aren't all going to get them. And if they somehow spread out the higher end stuff, they are going to dilute the market. But please don't misunderstand me, OKC is ready and able to support a higher level of retailing than exists now.

As for downtown, it's a completely different type of market. The powers that be need to focus on independent retail. In St. Louis, the most successful ones have been funky home furnishing stores that cater to all the new loft dwellers.

[CCOKC]

I totally agree about the local stores in Downtown and Bricktown. Why would someone want to come here to go to the same stores they can go to in their own home towns? We need to have more of an identity that is different. I think it is just people are afraid to take a chance. It is a big risk. Personally I like to shop in Taos and Eureka Springs (and anyone who knows me knows I do not shop) because the stores are mainly local and mostly artisans. These are the kinds of retail I would like to see downtown

[Nixon7]

Is this still a go?

[metro]

Yes, as the article stated, I believe construction isn't supposed to start until late 2007 or early 2008. I think targeted first move-ins/openings are late 2008.

[HOT ROD]

boy, I sure wish they'd EXPEDITE this one!!!!

[venture]

We all better hope this one is of better quality that other ones I've visited. They recently sold their Horizon Center in Monroe MI...and that was about 5 years or so of neglect. The buildings weren't painted in many years, the parking lot and drive ways were cracked and filled with weeds, no landscaping at all, etc. That center use to be always packed and looked really sharp before Horizon purchased it many moons ago, but once they did it went down hill.

Great news...let's just hope they have changed their ways or we are set for one big disappointment.

The center in Michigan...
Google Maps

[soonergirl]

Any updates on this? I'm not over that way often - any movement on the land?

[CCOKC]

I am in this area almost every day and have seen nothing as yet going on with this property. I passed on the north side just last night.

[Jesseda]

so how is this project going, i have heard nothing about this in a long time, is it still green lighted or what?

[onthestrip]

It is still green lighted I believe. It is just taking a little longer (as usual) to move along.

[BricktownGuy]

perhaps the thread's author can provide an update....kielaaron??

[Blairman]

I would like to know as well, but I drive by there everyday and dont see any activity. As the days, weeks, months go by I doubt this will happen.....

[Decious]

There is a link to the developers website on the first page of this thread. All of their developments seem to be slow paced as far execution is concerned, but the developments all seem to be getting done eventually.

[metro]

I just went to their website, unfortunately all they have is phone numbers and I'm at work. Under leasing they did have the email of their leasing agent for interested retailers, so I emailed him. Hopefully I'll get an answer soon, I encourage more of you to call the management and express your interest in this project and to get more information on if/when we might see something.

[kielaaron]

perhaps the thread's author can provide an update....kielaaron??

I'm on the road right now, but when I get home tonight ill pull up my database and see if I can find any new data re center open dates, etc.

[metro]

So I emailed the leasing manger as I did back on the 27th as you can see above. Here is what the VP of the company wrote me back:

(my name), we are hoping to break ground this summer. Andrew

Andrew Pelmoter
Executive Vice President
HORIZON GROUP PROPERTIES

[Jesseda]

what a joke, so mainly they dont know they are just hoping.

[kielaaron]

All dates I see confirmed on-hand indicate early Fall 2009 openings at this center...

[BricktownGuy]

Development Director states:

Horizon Group is building a 340,000 sf outlet center and hopes to begin site work this spring and opening Summer 2009

[masonsmomma]

Where's the entertainment shops? I'm not that familiar with that area, as I live in MWC, but is there a best buy or something like that around there? I hate how all the malls are losing their entertainment shops that sell dvd's and cd's. I really like the list of hopeful tenants, but would like to see urban outfitters come.

[onthestrip]

This isnt your typical mall though, outlet malls have a much different tenant mix than a Penn Square for example. They sometimes also must be located far enough from other stores/malls to prevent cannibalizing other stores. And there is a best buy and other entertainment shops less than a mile to the east.

[kmf563]

I guess I missed the entire middle of this conversation somehow! I thought the outlet was still going to be on the corner of reno and council. I've been looking for movement and wasn't seeing any. They are doing some stuff on I-40 and Council...not sure if it has to do with this or not. The website says it is geared to open fall of 2008. It also says we get 6 million tourists a year...is that right?

[metro]

kmf, the dirtwork you are referring to is some new semi/truck place. From the construction sign, it appears to be a semi dealership. dirtwork on the outlet mall hasn't begun yet. Also, I'm pretty confident we get more than 6 million visitors a year. Bricktown has been claiming 7 million visitors annually for several years now.

[kmf563]

kmf, the dirtwork you are referring to is some new semi/truck place. From the construction sign, it appears to be a semi dealership. dirtwork on the outlet mall hasn't begun yet. Also, I'm pretty confident we get more than 6 million visitors a year. Bricktown has been claiming 7 million visitors annually for several years now.

Are you talking about the guys that have been milling around in the empty field behind where the shell gas station is? That's the area I am talking about. Great. More semis. whoo.