OAK (formerly Penn Central)

[Anonymous.]

I'll admit SS would be cool for okc because of the name, but other than that I do not see the appeal. Was super hyped to try it and when in Manila I finally had the chance, man, the hype vanished instantly. Not good at all.

The grass is always greener. There is people outside of OK/KS/TX/AR that swear by Braums.

[TheTravellers]

On the general topic of "local", but speaking for myself, when I think "local" I'm really thinking unique. Not necessarily single location, but specific to OKC or OK. And if its larger than OK then something that started here and spread out from there. This is more a perception thing than a financial thing. I don't generally care about the investors in this regard. ...

This is pretty much our take too - we (generally) eat at places that are either only in OKC or OK or started here and franchised/opened more locations elsewhere. We eat at a lot of places that are owned by these restaurant groups - Good Egg, 84 Hospitality, The Social Order, Happy Plate, Humankind, Chris Lowe, Stranger/Johnson. As well as taco trucks, Taqueria El Rey, random cafes, etc.

Having said that, we'll probably try every restaurant opening up here at least once.

[Shortsyeararound]

Yes, my apologies, I was not responding to you directly but this subject in general.

I don't know about Flips but do no the group that owns The Wedge has a bunch of investors.

Thank you. I appreciate that.

[Shortsyeararound]

On the general topic of "local", but speaking for myself, when I think "local" I'm really thinking unique. Not necessarily single location, but specific to OKC or OK. And if its larger than OK then something that started here and spread out from there. This is more a perception thing than a financial thing. I don't generally care about the investors in this regard. So, The Jones Assembly I would consider "local". Fuzzy's I would not despite being the same group behind them.

Essentially, its the rule of cool. Its "cool" to have a nice place, a tasty place, a fun place that I can go to and brag about and take people from out of town to. If its in other places its "cool" to know that it came from here and maybe I can visit the OG. The more places we have like that the "cooler" OKC and OK are. Who the investors are or where the money flows to doesn't really come into it at this level of consideration (although of course that is important at its own level; don't want to diminish that) and I expect a lot or most people who talk about "local" or thinking more in line with what I described.

And, for fairness, "cool" doesn't have to be "local". I don't think anyone would call the Gordon Ramsay spot in Chisholm Creek "local" in any way, but it is still "cool" in the way that we're one of only four locations. And of course its good to have new national retailers and restaurants coming in as well, but I think the "cool" has to be here first.

This is the exact sentiment I share. I was going to explain but you did it perfectly for me! Thanks!!

[Rover]

I know he also had no problem running Crescent Market out in order to make sure Whole Foods didn't have to endure what little competition Crescent might have been.

Wasn’t Crescent having real problems making money?

[Tyson]

I'll admit SS would be cool for okc because of the name, but other than that I do not see the appeal. Was super hyped to try it and when in Manila I finally had the chance, man, the hype vanished instantly. Not good at all.

Aww that’s a shame that you had a bad experience! I went in London and Dallas and was blown away by the quality and service. I want it for the name and for the food haha

[Dob Hooligan]

Wasn’t Crescent having real problems making money?

I never heard that. They were in a true niche where they were. And I don't doubt having to move woulda been a killer for a small, local business. But I never heard ownership say it was a good time to get out when they got squeezed. Or they were glad it was done.

[BoulderSooner]

Wasn’t Crescent having real problems making money?

yes it was going to close either way ...

[BoulderSooner]

Aww that’s a shame that you had a bad experience! I went in London and Dallas and was blown away by the quality and service. I want it for the name and for the food haha

Spark is very similar to SS

[Plutonic Panda]

I am not happy about the height reduction at all.

[chssooner]

I am not happy about the height reduction at all.

Theu guy who wants 26 stack highways is mad about a couple floors coming off a building that won't be full for years? Color me shocked. Lol

[Plutonic Panda]

Theu guy who wants 26 stack highways is mad about a couple floors coming off a building that won't be full for years? Color me shocked. Lol

Not a huge deal but I do like taller buildings and I was hoping they’d stick to the rendering. This will still obviously be a very nice development no doubt.

[chssooner]

Not a huge deal but I do like taller buildings and I was hoping they’d stick to the rendering. This will still obviously be a very nice development no doubt.

I wasn't bashing you. Just giving you a hard time.

[Rover]

I am not happy about the height reduction at all.

And they probalby weren't happy with the extra cost and the prospects of space staying vacant for quite some time. Demand for office space isn't exactly screaming.

[Mr. Blue Sky]

Hadn't seen The Oak project in person until the other day. Wow! Incredible development. I wish I owned property around there. This will be a huge step forward for Oklahoma City.

[Pete]

In the last photo you can see the bricks going up on the hotel:

[LRSooner]

Any idea when work is going to begin on the gallery and grill along the expressway? Would think they'd want to be completed by the time the hotel and condos are open for business.

[Pete]

Any idea when work is going to begin on the gallery and grill along the expressway? Would think they'd want to be completed by the time the hotel and condos are open for business.

Very soon.

Permits have been filed.

[HOT ROD]

just imagine if Belle Isle Lake were still there (or rebuilt) instead of beingn reduced to a pond and that monstrocity of parking/strip;, where high-end shoppes, housing, and a boardwalk would line the lakeside. That'd be world class tie to the rest of the upscale area.

[HangryHippo]

just imagine if Belle Isle Lake were still there (or rebuilt) instead of beingn reduced to a pond and that monstrocity of parking/strip;, where high-end shoppes, housing, and a boardwalk would line the lakeside. That'd be world class tie to the rest of the upscale area.

I drove from Whole Foods to 50 Penn today and thought this same thing. That area could have been so much more.

[Oski]

just imagine if Belle Isle Lake were still there (or rebuilt) instead of beingn reduced to a pond and that monstrocity of parking/strip;, where high-end shoppes, housing, and a boardwalk would line the lakeside. That'd be world class tie to the rest of the upscale area.

It would be even cooler than the OAK complex.

[Tyson]

OAK's Instagram dropped a hint about Italian food. Wonder if that implies Eataly or some other big name place... If it were a lesser known restaurant I feel like they wouldn't rise suspense with a hint lol

[warreng88]

OAK's Instagram dropped a hint about Italian food. Wonder if that implies Eataly or some other big name place... If it were a lesser known restaurant I feel like they wouldn't rise suspense with a hint lol

If they announced EATALY this early, I would lose my SH!T....

[Pete]

OAK's Instagram dropped a hint about Italian food. Wonder if that implies Eataly or some other big name place... If it were a lesser known restaurant I feel like they wouldn't rise suspense with a hint lol

All they are asking if for people's favorite.

I know they have a bunch of things in the works and an Italian restaurant is not one of them.

[warreng88]

All they are asking if for people's favorite.

I know they have a bunch of things in the works and an Italian restaurant is not one of them.

To be fair, EATALY is several italian restaurants and a market... At least that is what I keep telling myself...