Plaza District

[ljbab728]

Steve's retrospective on the development of the Plaza District.
http://m.newsok.com/article/5530578

[ClayCall]

When in conversations about the Plaza's growth, I notice the lack of mention of Warpaint Clothing. My memory could be wrong, but this addition played a major role in bringing attention to the district among the young adult, hipster crowd. Most of whom kept Saints afloat in the early days. I remember chatting with the owners about their excitement of the new bar opening across the street during one of their "hang outs" in and outside of their storefront with upwards of 70 people there. The rest of the block was empty. Their store was actually successful, but the co-owners had a falling out and split ways.

[HangryHippo]

Their store was actually successful, but the co-owners had a falling out and split ways.

What became of Warpaint Clothing?

[ClayCall]

What became of Warpaint Clothing?

They found additional success after landing a deal with Urban Outfitters to carry their line in all of their stores. Shortly after the two owners had a falling out with the business minded one splitting to Austin to start a new company called Lasting Culture while the other attempted to run Warpaint solo. It didn't work out and warpaint dissolved. To those who don't remember, Warpaint was the local t-shirt company who garnered national attention for their "Thanks, Seattle" Thunder shirt.

[2Lanez]

Agree about their impact. I remember the main draw for Live on the Plazas around 2010 or 2011 being whatever Warpaint was doing.

[shadfar]

They found additional success after landing a deal with Urban Outfitters to carry their line in all of their stores. Shortly after the two owners had a falling out with the business minded one splitting to Austin to start a new company called Lasting Culture while the other attempted to run Warpaint solo. It didn't work out and warpaint dissolved. To those who don't remember, Warpaint was the local t-shirt company who garnered national attention for their "Thanks, Seattle" Thunder shirt.

I was wondering what happened to them(Warpaint Clothing). i loved their t-shirt designs. Thanks for the info.

[Pete]

They aren't going into the Plaza and their new location will be in addition to -- as opposed to instead of -- their existing spot on Classen.

I'll post about this in a bit and move all the related discussion there.

[benjico]

Any info on this new concept from the folks at the Mule?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSjxxJAj...=plazadistrict
https://www.instagram.com/thepressokc/

[Pete]

Any info on this new concept from the folks at the Mule?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSjxxJAj...=plazadistrict
https://www.instagram.com/thepressokc/

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=42936

[bchris02]

^^^ Rule #1 for opening a hipster bar is the theme of the bar has to be centered around the defunct business that once existed in its location.

[HangryHippo]

^^^ Rule #1 for opening a hipster bar is the theme of the bar has to be centered around the defunct business that once existed in its location.

Paying homage to what was there, at least in this case, doesn't seem like a bad idea.

[benjico]

Thanks, Pete

[bchris02]

Paying homage to what was there, at least in this case, doesn't seem like a bad idea.

I don't disagree. I just find this to be an interesting current trend.

[shawnw]

I forget the name of it, or if there was a thread, but my bus, which goes through the plaza district, had to divert this morning, because they were putting in the container for the 16th/Blackwelder SW Corner.

[Pete]

I forget the name of it, or if there was a thread, but my bus, which goes through the plaza district, had to divert this morning, because they were putting in the container for the 16th/Blackwelder SW Corner.

Sasquatch Shaved Ice.

https://www.facebook.com/sasquatchOKC/

[Bits_Of_Real_Panther]

Line was about 20 deep this evening around 6, no idea how long its been open.

[Pete]

Line was about 20 deep this evening around 6, no idea how long its been open.

They had a launch party last night.

[Pete]

I'll have to try this angle again a little closer to 16th and on a clearer day:

[Pete]

More housing, restaurants and infill for the Plaza District

The Plaza District continues to boom, with scores of new projects planned or underway in the immediate area including a new surge in housing.

Watch our news partner KFOR-TV tonight 9/6/17 at 6PM for on-camera interviews and more.

Overview

Restaurants

Aurora, Pritchard Wine Bar and Easy E have all recently opened in the area, adding to an already robust restaurant and bar scene.

Aurora features breakfast and lunch in a quaint setting, with a backyard patio and small eating area outside along 16th. Pritchard brings a new level of sophistication to the Plaza, with small plates, wine and craft cocktails. Easy E is an extension of the ultra-popular Empire Slice House, handling all carryout orders as well as slices and beer with a small amount of seating inside and out.

The Press, form the proprietors of The Mule and Anchor Down, will be the most ambitious venture yet in the Plaza, taking the old Northside Printing facility and fully renovating with a dining area, separate bar and a large covered outdoor patio. The Press will open later this year and offer Southwest comfort food with an emphasis on fresh ingredients.

A
Housing

Housing prices and rents continue to rise in the area, as the historic charm and walkable amenities serve as strong draws.

Ben Sellers recently completed 14 apartments and 3,000 square feet of retail at the Plaza Lofts on 16th & McKinley, with plans for 8 more units at 15th & McKinley. Sellers and his partners at the Pivot are in the process of renovating two small apartment buildings at 19th and 20th and Blackwelder, and plan an ambitious 48-unit apartment and commercial project which will serve as a gateway to the district at 16th and Classen. Jeff Johnson is also a partner on the Blackwelder properties.

Just behind the Velvet Monkey along Blackwelder are two long-vacant historic structures being fully renovated into apartments.

At 15th and Blackwelder and just south of The Mule, plans have been filed to build an apartment complex on land currently used as a community garden.

The Klein is a 6-unit townhouse / condominium project nearing completion at 1140 NW 13th.

Office & Retail

Plaza pioneer Jeff Struble is planning a 4,800 square foot office building at 1804 NW 16th, just to the east of Chiltepes restaurant.

At 1630 N. Blackwelder, the buildings that house Goro Ramen and The Mule have been fully renovated with office space complimenting the two restaurants.

Across the street at 1829 NW 16th, a plan has recently been approved to replace a small duplex with a 2-story commercial project with a patio facing the street.

And William Shdeed has recently completely restored a small brick building at 1708 N. Gatewood which is now home to the Rough Hand Collective, offering hand-made leather items and other goods.

[Pete]

More housing, restaurants and infill for the Plaza District

The Plaza District continues to boom, with scores of new projects planned or underway in the immediate area including a new surge in housing.

Watch our news partner KFOR-TV tonight 9/6/17 at 6PM for on-camera interviews and more.

Overview

Restaurants

Aurora, Pritchard Wine Bar and Easy E have all recently opened in the area, adding to an already robust restaurant and bar scene.

Aurora features breakfast and lunch in a quaint setting, with a backyard patio and small eating area outside along 16th. Pritchard brings a new level of sophistication to the Plaza, with small plates, wine and craft cocktails. Easy E is an extension of the ultra-popular Empire Slice House, handling all carryout orders as well as slices and beer with a small amount of seating inside and out.

The Press, form the proprietors of The Mule and Anchor Down, will be the most ambitious venture yet in the Plaza, taking the old Northside Printing facility and fully renovating with a dining area, separate bar and a large covered outdoor patio. The Press will open later this year and offer Southwest comfort food with an emphasis on fresh ingredients.

Housing

Housing prices and rents continue to rise in the area, as the historic charm and walkable amenities serve as strong draws.

Ben Sellers recently completed 14 apartments and 3,000 square feet of retail at the Plaza Lofts on 16th & McKinley, with plans for 8 more units at 15th & McKinley. Sellers and his partners at the Pivot are in the process of renovating two small apartment buildings at 19th and 20th and Blackwelder, and plan an ambitious 48-unit apartment and commercial project which will serve as a gateway to the district at 16th and Classen. Jeff Johnson is also a partner on the Blackwelder properties.

Just behind the Velvet Monkey along Blackwelder are two long-vacant historic structures being fully renovated into apartments.

At 15th and Blackwelder and just south of The Mule, plans have been filed to build an apartment complex on land currently used as a community garden.

The Klein is a 6-unit townhouse / condominium project nearing completion at 1140 NW 13th.

Office & Retail

Plaza pioneer Jeff Struble is planning a 4,800 square foot office building at 1804 NW 16th, just to the east of Chiltepes restaurant.

At 1630 N. Blackwelder, the buildings that house Goro Ramen and The Mule have been fully renovated with office space complimenting the two restaurants.

Across the street at 1829 NW 16th, a plan has recently been approved to replace a small duplex with a 2-story commercial project with a patio facing the street.

And William Shdeed has recently completely restored a small brick building at 1708 N. Gatewood which is now home to the Rough Hand Collective, offering hand-made leather items and other goods.

[traxx]

I know everyone has said it a ton, but your purchase of a drone has been great for this site.

[Pete]

http://kfor.com/2017/09/06/plaza-dis...retail-spaces/

You can see the KFOR on-air report at that link.

[dankrutka]

http://kfor.com/2017/09/06/plaza-dis...retail-spaces/

You can see the KFOR on-air report at that link.

Really cool to see your reporting get out to a larger audience. Great job, Pete!

[Pete]

^

Thanks!

KFOR has been great to work with.

[Canoe]

^

Thanks!

KFOR has been great to work with.

In my opinion, you are doing a good job.