Jimmy John's Sandwich's

[Conan71]

I talked with the owners about nine months ago when they were still exploring Tulsa.  They are very nice people and moved to Tulsa just to build these stores.  The primary investor owns multiple stores in North Caroline.  The managing partner is a former corporate trainer for Jimmy John's.  I would expect the quality of their stores to be top notch.  That said, I felt a little sorry for them and how they ended up signing a lease on that location.  They were excited to be located across the street from an active minor league baseball stadium.  I had to work hard to convince them their broker had misled them and the Drillers no longer played at 15th & Yale.

Moving into the Tulsa market is a new strategy for JJ's.  They've always operated in college markets but have found that market to be saturated at this point.  Any growth will have to come from second tier cities like Tulsa.  I would expect to see locations around I-44, Tulsa Hills, 71st St Corridor and south county/north Bixby.

I really don't get the excitement in being located across from a stadium that was dark 300 nights a year.  They've got good pops in the area and should do pretty well.  I'm about a mile from them so I will definitely give them a shot at some point.

[nathanm]

Tasty as I remember, and lightning fast. That was always my problem with the store in Fayetteville..slower than molasses, they were.

If they really are excited about being near an active minor league stadium, I bet they could find some space downtown.

[BKDotCom]

I really don't get the excitement in being located across from a stadium that was dark 300 nights a year.

Visibility

[SXSW]

Go to any college town and you'll find them near campus.  To that end I'm surprised they are not closer (walking distance) to TU. 

[cjmcinty]

Go to any college town and you'll find them near campus.  To that end I'm surprised they are not closer (walking distance) to TU. 

Unfortunately, I'm not sure that would be much of an advantage here. TU doesn't have that same late-night crowd you get in other college towns. In fact, campus doesn't even appear 'busy' during the middle of week days. I'm not sure where everyone hides out

[Red Arrow]

Unfortunately, I'm not sure that would be much of an advantage here. TU doesn't have that same late-night crowd you get in other college towns. In fact, campus doesn't even appear 'busy' during the middle of week days. I'm not sure where everyone hides out

At home?  I believe TU still has a large percentage of commuter students.

[cjmcinty]

At home?  I believe TU still has a large percentage of commuter students.

This is true.

[SXSW]

Unfortunately, I'm not sure that would be much of an advantage here. TU doesn't have that same late-night crowd you get in other college towns. In fact, campus doesn't even appear 'busy' during the middle of week days. I'm not sure where everyone hides out

I think that's largely because 11th has not developed into a student-oriented business district like many universities have next to them.  Hopefully TU works to change that in the future; they certainly have the resources.  TU is also really small, less than 5,000 students total.  Hopefully they increase their enrollment; somewhere around the size of an SMU, TCU or Vanderbilt (peer institutions) closer to 10,000 with a large number of grad students would be perfect for TU and better for Tulsa (more students/more jobs)..

Back to Jimmy John's..  

[dbacks fan]

I think that's largely because 11th has not developed into a student-oriented business district like many universities have next to them.  Hopefully TU works to change that in the future; they certainly have the resources.  TU is also really small, less than 5,000 students total.  Hopefully they increase their enrollment; somewhere around the size of an SMU, TCU or Vanderbilt (peer institutions) closer to 10,000 with a large number of grad students would be perfect for TU and better for Tulsa (more students/more jobs)..

Back to Jimmy John's..  

With all of the changes on the TU Campus that have happened since 1998, there is still a stigma between the TU Campus and places on the south side of 11th Sreet between Harvard and Delaware. The places along 11th on the southside of the street are outside of TU, those on the north side are part of TU. There would need to be a  major change in the places across the street, and an acceptence of the bars, and other establishments. I doubt, that Ed's Hurricane would accept me, when my brother was there before he died in a bike accident in '91

[nathanm]

With all of the changes on the TU Campus that have happened since 1998, there is still a stigma between the TU Campus and places on the south side of 11th Sreet between Harvard and Delaware.

Do you mean schism?

Before my time in this part of town, there were apparently a few businesses on the north side of 11th, but TU has gobbled them up and built more on-campus housing.

[SXSW]

Do you mean schism?

Before my time in this part of town, there were apparently a few businesses on the north side of 11th, but TU has gobbled them up and built more on-campus housing.

Maybe the new leadership will result in changes.  We can hope so. 

[Red Arrow]

There were several fast food places on the north side of 11th, just west of Harvard in the late 70s.  I remember Arby's and Wendy's, maybe a Burger King. 

[Conan71]

There were several fast food places on the north side of 11th, just west of Harvard in the late 70s.  I remember Arby's and Wendy's, maybe a Burger King. 

As well as Metro Diner, J.R.'s, some apartments, Starship.  There was a bar on the south side where Arby's is now.  I'm not sure if it's because 11th street is a busy four lane that it makes the south side of the street less friendly to walkability than other campuses or what the deal is.  I'm thinking of Stillwater and Norman and the areas favored by students closest to campus are generally separated by a two lane street with a 25 MPH speed limit. 

[SXSW]

As well as Metro Diner, J.R.'s, some apartments, Starship.  There was a bar on the south side where Arby's is now.  I'm not sure if it's because 11th street is a busy four lane that it makes the south side of the street less friendly to walkability than other campuses or what the deal is.  I'm thinking of Stillwater and Norman and the areas favored by students closest to campus are generally separated by a two lane street with a 25 MPH speed limit. 

Boyd is 4 lane between OU and Campus Corner, and is considered walkable.  It's how the buildings meet the street and 11th by TU is a big FAIL in that area.

[ARGUS]

Conan should call Argus sometime (ya darn FSBO buyer!!!)...and I was coming from Lowe's Grizzle! (but the Ritz did have these nice comfortable chairs the LAST time I was in there yrs and yrs and yrs ago.