I was reading downtownguy's blog today and the very last line had this random statement:

"Has anyone got any information on Discovery Stores? Are they lurking around Bricktown for a reason?"

My question is, what are Discovery Stores?

Anyone?

PS: It seems as if he's hinting at something...

They are a chain of stores owned by "The Discvery Channel" networks. The stores sell videos and other things related to the programs they air.

I went in one at Mall of America. If you are in to that kind of store, it will be a good experience. I sounds like they are researching Oklahoma City for a location.

Science-related gift store:

http://shopping.discovery.com/

Yeah, I think downtownguy was hinting at something. Hope it happens. It would be a nice complement to Bass Pro -- fun, interactive retail!! While we're at it, we attract a kitchen goods store with cooking demonstrations, a musical instrument store, and a toy store!! Add in a bookstore with author visits, and I think you'd have a retail Disneyland in Bricktown!! With something for everyone!!!

FAO Schwartz and a Viking store would do for the toys and kitchen supplies. How about a Steinway store for the music. Those would be compliments. FAO Schwartz most people know, Viking I have seen, however, I just tossed out a premier name with Steinway. I really do not know if they have their own stores.

FAO Schwarts used to be in OKC, I believe in the Colcord Building. Rumor has it that they have been toying with Downtown OKC again although I think its a year or two out at least.

When were they here? It had to be decades ago. I was raised here and do not remember them being here.

OMG, what an FAO Shwartz would do! But I'd take even a Toys R Us. Hmm. Sur La Table or Viking would be good and give Williams-Sonoma a run for their money. In terms of a music store, I thought a place like the former Guitar Center, or local shops like Norman Music or Larsen Music. I wish Books-A-Million would have located in Bricktown instead.

We may be overdoing the chain store bit, but as long as there is interactivity and fun , it provides a destination element that gives people something to do in Bricktown besides eat.

Yes, I believe in the 50's-70's or so for FAO Schwartz, there was an article not to long ago, I think on downtownguys site. I also am too young to have gone.

Sur La Table would not give us (Williams-Sonoma) a run for the money. Their products and service are far inferior, we also offer a unconditional lifetime guarantee on everything unlike any place else. Viking would be nice however they sell mostly appliances in which we do not but it would be a great compliment.

True about Viking. As far as Sur La Table, you are speaking like the committed W-S agent you are! A W-S downtown would be nice, I don't think they'd have another store in the market, but who knows? Any word over there in the call center about such possibilities?

I serioiusly doubt a downtown WS anytime soon, again, I will keep everyone posted on a new WS, Pottery Barn or any of the Williams-Sonoma Inc. brands stores opening in Oklahoma. None are on the new store calendar for next year. If any, I would suspect Spring Creek or West OKC for 2006. I dont work on the phones so I get a little bit more info than the customer service reps.

You are correct. However, more accuratly phrased, Viking is KNOWN mostly for their appliances. They are the finest made. The Rolls-Royce of ranges. My mom refuses to cook or bake with any other brand. However, the Viking stores carry a very large variety of cooking products. I am sure one can order major appliances, however, the stores carry the rest... And offer demonstrations.

metro,

Tell me about this rumor that FAO Shwarz is eyeing OKC. I'm really curious about that. Didn't they go bankrupt and close up shop and now opening only a few? I remember seeing them building the one in Las Vegas. And I think there's one in Manhattan.

Luke

I have nothing to indicate they are coming - they were located in Century Center Plaza about 25 years ago for a brief period of time. They had a sub-brand store at Memorial and Penn until the chain went bankrupt last year. I do not believe there is even a rumor of them coming here. The toy store industry is in decline right now, hit hard by the Wal Mart empire.

Do you, downtownguy, have anything to indicate a Discovery Store may be coming?

They're kicking the tires.

I see.

I have been to the Discovery Channel Store in Dallas at the Galleria. I had originally posted this without realizing Discovery Store and Discovery Channel Store were the same thing.

In any case, I just emailed Discovery Channel Store to suggest that they look at putting a store downtown or in bricktown. We'll see how they respond. I'll let you guys know.

Downtownguy, any chance the Discovery Channel reps were there tonight? If so, they could only have been impressed.

I wouldn't know, Floater. Anybody who was there, however, would be impressed.

Indeed. I'm curious to read the papers tomorrow. Would be great if the AP got ahold of it. Wonder what our sister city thinks? (Tulsa, that is)

Yeah, I checked TulsaNow, and there's no mention. If there were any board members there, I would think they'd mention it. I think they'd show a grudging respect, if not some sister city pride.

I talked to Penn Square and they said Discovery Store had contacted them...unfortunately, they've leased most of their available space, and don't currently have a spae large enough for them. Quail Springs has a few spaces available, but one space is too large, and the others too small. This might cause them to consider downtown....that would be nice! Any ideas downtownguy?

Hm, nice problem to have. All the malls are full so they have to look to Bricktown... maybe.

Someone call their corporate headquarters and find out

I'll contact them via email.