what is going in at eight one eight?

[brunoflipper]

rumor has it that it is elliot nelson with another venture...

[southerngirl]

According to a recent Urban Tulsa story, the owner and another young developer of downtown will be revamping the space:

One young mogul trying to change that is independent developer Micha Alexander. The owner of 8 One Eight Lounge, 818 E. 3rd St., has decided to close his bar and focus on affordable residential development in an effort to bring people downtown--not just to work and play, but also to live.

He's already filled his Virginia Lofts, at 3rd and Lansing, as well as the few lofts he opened above his bar, and now he's focusing on building urban, loft-style houses that people can buy rather than rent, so they're investing their money and planting their seeds in downtown.

Alexander said he isn't closing his business for any financial reasons; it just took up a lot of his time, and he "recognize the fact that I need to bring more people down here to live, so I'm going to focus my energy on my manufacturing company [Maverick Machine] and building housing."

As of yet, he plans to build a three-story house on what is currently 8 One Eight's patio and two other houses next door. When asked for his opinion on what he calls the "never ending chicken and egg discussion," Alexander said, "My feeling is that once more people are living down here, more businesses will be attracted to the area."

Alexander also owns a handful of retail spaces, currently leasing them to the owners of Elements Salon, the Pearl Gallery, Fringe! Knit Café, a doggy daycare and a barbershop.
(From the "Wildflowers" cover story, 4/25/07)

I hope he keeps the mural on the patio wall...

[Conan71]

Pardon my ignorance, is 818 the old "Fur Shop"?

[BKDotCom]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

Pardon my ignorance, is 818 the old "Fur Shop"?

Is "fur Shop" code-speak for something naughty?   As far as i know 8 One Eight was a "wine bar".

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by BKDotCom

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

Pardon my ignorance, is 818 the old "Fur Shop"?

Is "fur Shop" code-speak for something naughty?   As far as i know 8 One Eight was a "wine bar".

[}:)]

One of Nelson Roger's sons (Nelson's Buffeteria) opened a bar down in an old fur storage building on E. 3rd about ten or so years back.  I just can't remember the hundred block it was located in and I seldom drive by there anymore.  I usually get off the IDL at 7th St. to go where I'm going downtown.

It was a stand-alone building with a large fenced-in patio.

[cannon_fodder]

I dont know if this is good news or bad news.  Closing an existing business to try and develop housing downtown.  Lose one in the hand for 2 in the bush?  D'oh, keep 'em all!

[brunoflipper]

the point was, i know that it micah closed it but elliot is reportedly developing something in the space... the "fur shop" was/is at 2nd and frankfurt and has been closed for a couple of years (it was the sharps i love the oscn)... it has been two or three extra crappy bars since then (recently it was "cronies" and maybe somethingelse)... the worst thing they ever did was closing off the front door and filling the steps with concrete... well that and the drugs and underage drinking, which really had more to do with a few employees...

[bigdtottown]

My wife and I loved 818, I think they were sort of a Martini bar although I never had one there.  I'd heard Micah's residential projects were all very successful and he seems to be tapping into an unmet demand.  Hopefully Elliot will keep the cool atmosphere...it was not your typical beer joint, which most cities have plenty of.  BTW, I really enjoy Elliots other place...reminds me of The Gingerman.