New Hampton Inn Hotel - One Place Downtown Development

[AquaMan]

You might note that we're almost all male posters around here. Kind of like watching congress debate women's health issues with all male commissions!

Thanks for your insight.

[Rookie Okie]

From glancing through the comments regarding retail downtown, I feel like some of you may be missing one big element of retail. The female element. I don't know very many gentlemen who enjoy browsing too many shops. I hate Woodland Hills with the fury of hell, but if I need a dress for an occasion, there's a pretty good chance I'll go bouncing around from store to store at WH for a couple hours at least. I'm not sure men have that same issue (or motivation). Most shops in general are geared toward women. In many cutesy retail areas, there tend to be 90% female-oriented shops and 10% that men can stomach whilst they wait on their lady-friend to finally finish up.

I just happened to notice that you all were perhaps focusing in a little bit too much on your anecdotal male experiences with retail. 

(I didn't even know Sears had tools. But their clothes have been pretty horrific ever since I can remember.)

My opinion falls more in line with those in the thread thinking that you need a few unique anchor-type stores (H&M, Zara, Urban Outfitters, West Elm) and then pepper in much smaller shops for local stores.

I didn't want to sound sexist in my proposal for outlet and complimentary specialty local retail shopping downtown, but I thought it would go without saying that vast majority of it would be targeted to attract women shoppers.  Women do the bulk of shopping without a doubt.  Women shop with friends, spouses, families, and alone.  Women also shop in male oriented stores at much higher rates than men do in stores for women.

When I was talking about bus tours and groups coming downtown to enjoy a day of shopping and fun, I was fully envisioning women in masses being the predominant consumers.  In the big picture I could see a large highly diverse conglomeration of women, men, old, young, locals, and out of towners experiencing a vibrant downtown Tulsa.

[Red Arrow]

I just happened to notice that you all were perhaps focusing in a little bit too much on your anecdotal male experiences with retail. 

Glad to get a female perspective.

(I didn't even know Sears had tools. But their clothes have been pretty horrific ever since I can remember.)

No problem with the tools.  They also have appliances.  Sears used to be good about having parts for their appliances (Dad was, and i am stubborn about fixing our own stuff.)  but not so much any more so we go to Hahn's.  The only clothes I buy there are Levi's.  They sometimes have the non-destructed color I want in Style 569.

My opinion falls more in line with those in the thread thinking that you need a few unique anchor-type stores (H&M, Zara, Urban Outfitters, West Elm) and then pepper in much smaller shops for local stores.

I am not familiar with any of those stores.  Probably about like you and tools at Sears.

[carltonplace]

There's a Sears and Target within a mile of my house and Penny's is about 1.5 miles the other direction.  There is the occasional tool run to Sears and once in a great while Mrs. C needs something at Penney's.  I generally avoid the large chain stores, whenever possible but there's simply some things you can't buy from local merchants that they have.  Midtown pretty well has everything 71st & Hell does, just with less traffic. 

The drive out to HG is easy, Sheridan to 71st and a left turn.  I miss the rest of retail hell that way.

My wife and I have a tendency, even when we travel, to go in and out of as many local shops as we can and walk all over a downtown district when we have the time (small towns like Pagosa Springs or Taos).  We never know what we might miss as an innovative gift idea, a craft MC might be able to employ herself, and simply meeting interesting and sometimes not-so-interesting people. It's one of the things I enjoy most about traveling.

We need an HG type store in midtown or downtown. If I had spare time in my life I would branch out and open one.

[Red Arrow]

We need an HG type store in midtown or downtown. If I had spare time in my life I would branch out and open one.

They sell over the internet.  You could have your stuff delivered and never have to venture to the 71st & Memorial area.

http://www.highgravitybrew.com/productcart/pc/High-Gravity-s-Tulsa-Page-d53.htm

[Conan71]

We need an HG type store in midtown or downtown. If I had spare time in my life I would branch out and open one.

I agree.  Mecca Coffee used to carry extract kits and rudimentary brewing equipment.  Until High Gravity opened, I believe they were the only store in Tulsa that carried home brew equipment.  I suspect the volume wasn't all that great or they'd still carry it.  And again, if you look at everything HG carries, Mecca doesn't have near enough room to compete.  I try and support local as much as possible, but I have to admit to ordering from Midwest or Northern Brewer on occasion simply because I don't feel like driving out to 71st & Memorial.

[Red Arrow]

I try and support local as much as possible, but I have to admit to ordering from Midwest or Northern Brewer on occasion simply because I don't feel like driving out to 71st & Memorial.

I would probably do the same if HG were in midtown or downtown.

I started brewing just as HG was getting started.  The people at Mecca Coffee were nice enough but the brewing knowledge at HG is was the key to me getting started.

[rebound]

I would probably do the same if HG were in midtown or downtown.
I started brewing just as HG was getting started.  The people at Mecca Coffee were nice enough but the brewing knowledge at HG is was the key to me getting started.

It would be great if HG would open a store in Blue Dome, or nearby.  It's forever down to HG from Owasso...

[Red Arrow]

It would be great if HG would open a store in Blue Dome, or nearby.

You could ask Dave or Desiree about it.

[Red Arrow]

It's forever down to HG from Owasso...

Get off 169 at 61st (or maybe even 81st) and go west to Memorial.  It's a little less congested.

[rebound]

Get off 169 at 61st (or maybe even 81st) and go west to Memorial.  It's a little less congested.

I tried both routes.  Kind of like the 81st one better.  But it's still 20 miles from my house.

[bacjz00]

I tried both routes.  Kind of like the 81st one better.  But it's still 20 miles from my house.

Dude.

You
live
in
Owasso

[rebound]

Dude.

You
live
in
Owasso

Yeah,  It's great up here, but the logistics make it difficult sometimes.   Which is why I'm such a huge advocate for Blue Dome, Guthrie Green,  Brady, downtown, etc.  In fact, I'm going to the Vanguard tonight and tomorrow night for some live music. Probably eat downtown also both nights.  I can get to any of those areas in about 15-18 minutes.  No way I'd go to South Tulsa for similar events, especially during the week.  What's happened in downtown is a huge benefit not just for Tulsans, but for everybody on the North Side.

I was thinking that the best parallel to a HG downtown would be Fleet Feet Blue Dome location.  Similar circumstance of a South side store opening a branch up North.  I think I went into the 61st & Yale store maybe once, but I've shopped at the Blue Dome location quite a few times, and taken a couple of classes there as well.  I think there would be a market for a smaller satellite HG store up in the area as well.

Also, just curious, there are quite a few Southies on this forum.  What is your drive time to downtown and where are your coming from (approximately)?  Not distance, but drive time.
   

[Townsend]

Also, just curious, there are quite a few Southies on this forum.  What is your drive time to downtown and where are your coming from (approximately)?  Not distance, but drive time.
   

111th and Yale.  Can range between 20 to 45 minutes.  School traffic is impressive in the area.  Riverside is under construction at 44 and 75  has the bridge.  Creek to BA is a no go.

The good news is, after the $30 million is spent on Yale between 81st and 91st, my drive time will only be somewhere between 20 to 45 minutes...

[Red Arrow]

The good news is, after the $30 million is spent on Yale between 81st and 91st, my drive time will only be somewhere between 20 to 45 minutes...

Probably more as traffic grows with the improved road.  (See Memorial Drive as an example.)