Weldon Jack

[Pete]

Alcohol permit for this new restaurant in a renovated old gas station on the SW corner of NW 36th & Western.

Applicant is Jeff Rogers, I believe the same Jeff Rogers that owns Candy and Citywalk nightclubs.

Looks like a cool little place in a great location:

[LakeEffect]

The Planning Commission turned down an application at this location a few years ago for an ABC overlay. I'm not sure what overlay it was. If it was for a 3 (alcohol, no food), then I think this will be less of an issue for them. However, if they turned down an ABC-2 last time, then this will be tough. The Planning Commission based it on the fact that there is a park next door... Not that I personally find any validity in that rejection answer.

The chef is Ryan Parrott (formerly Iguana and Local).

[HangryHippo]

This would be a cool addition. I guess we'll find out soon enough. When is the meeting?

[OKCRT]

I think that's old Ronnie Blacks place.

[Urbanized]

I've daydreamed about putting a bar or funky food joint in that building for 25 years. Good for them. The previous application was surely turned down for being ABC-3. Doubt they would deny an ABC-2 in that location. This place probably breezes to approval.

[edcrunk]

I asked Jeff Rogers if he is the guy doin this, but haven't gotten a reply yet.

[edcrunk]

Jeff messaged back. He said Ryan Parrot is his chef and the name is now Taco Champ. Taco Champ | Facebook

[Pete]

Haha... Love their logo:

[onthestrip]

Are there parking requirements in this area Pete?

[George]

The Planning Commission turned down an application at this location a few years ago for an ABC overlay. I'm not sure what overlay it was. If it was for a 3 (alcohol, no food), then I think this will be less of an issue for them. However, if they turned down an ABC-2 last time, then this will be tough. The Planning Commission based it on the fact that there is a park next door... Not that I personally find any validity in that rejection answer.

I think another complicating issue last time around was the proximity to the Boys & Girls Club of Oklahoma County.

[edcrunk]

Haha... Love their logo:

OHHHHHHHHH...... I get it now. The original name was a play on Nacho Libre, hence the wrestler. I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Anyways, I wonder if Taco Libre was already taken.

[LakeEffect]

Are there parking requirements in this area Pete?

The zoning they have to deal with is only for the alcohol, so the existing parking requirements for their zoning stand...

[edcrunk]

I think Jeff may have read this thread cuz he messaged this today.


"Some more info about the taco shop....
The previous abc license was denied bc it was for liquor only and no food.
My application is abc1 which is beer only, no alcohol.
I also meet all parking requirements enforced by the city
Taco Libre was already taken and that's why I changed the name.
I personally like taco champ better and think it plays off the logo, decor and theme of the restaurant better

10:55am
Jeff Rogers

I will be open
Monday through Sunday
10am to 10pm
This will 100% be a taco shop and not a bar"

[Pete]

Thanks for the update, Ed!

Sounds like a cool concept and I bet they will get the ABC1 license.

[icecold]

Is Ryan still affiliated with Iguana?

[Urbanized]

No.

[SSEiYah]

Nice, I'm shocked the lot adjacent to them is on the market for $525,000, seems way overpriced.

[andrew3077]

So I live around here, and I've noticed that they've been doing work on this space, but it's not going to be Taco Champ. I'm curious and excited. Don't know when wood paneling came back into style but it looks pretty slick here.

The Sign Says
Coming Soon!
Weldon Jack 19/28
By the Society

[onthestrip]

I think I was told a shave shop or something. Could be wrong.

[Pete]

Some sort of retail / salon use (shave shop seems to fit):

[musg8411]

[QUOTE=Pete;704977]Some sort of retail / salon use (shave shop seems to fit):

I believe it is a high end barber, with a couple people from Trichology. Should be a great place for an area lacking in good barbershops.

[Urbanized]

Yeah, my guess is the taco place fell apart on licensing for beer. That building is basically sitting inside a city park and the front yard of a Boys and Girls Club building. I know they weren't seeking full mixed beverage and strong beer, but suspect there were or would be protests to even 3.2 beer in that location.

Also, Ryan took the Tamazul gig after the Taco Libre announcement and has worked on two projects since leaving Tamazul. I noticed work on this building a couple of weeks ago but figured no way it would still be the taco place.

A shave-oriented barber shop sounds intriguing and could be a good fit considering neighborhood, though I will stay loyal to my old-school barber and his hot towel and hot foam straight razor shaves downtown.

This project and a few others are finishing off the best part of my decades-held dream list of abandoned/underutilized urban properties prime for adaptive reuse. Sure there are others, but the opportunities are becoming far more scarce these days. The good news is that we should start seeing great urban infill, like we're seeing in Midtown with Dustbowl/Fassler.

[Pete]

This place is now open and called Weldon Jack:

[catch22]

That is cool!

[Pete]

They are planning an expansion with two shipping containers; from their Instagram feed: