Archive for August, 2010
Welcoming Cole Dewey Designs to the Plaza District!
We are so very thrilled to announce the newest addition to the family of Plaza District businesses, Cole Dewy Designs!
Cole Dewey Designs is a trendsetting floral design studio creating stunning flowers for weddings and special events. Because of the nature of the shop, it has become an exclusive destination for brides looking for something truly different.
In addition, to custom design, Cole Dewey will be home to retail merchandise featuring handmade vessels and gifts as well as cash and carry flowers. Now you’ll be able to pick up fresh flowers along with the unique gifts you’ve found in the Plaza District!
Cole Dewey Designs will be located at 1704 NW 16th, next door to Paula & Co Realtors and will open 
beginning October 1st, just in time for the 2010 Plaza District Festival on October 9th. We are looking forward to Cole growing her business in the Plaza District, and all she will offer to compliment our family of creative businesses!
You can learn more about Cole Dewey online at Cole Dewey Designs.
Your Plaza District, Your Restaurant!
“You guys need a place to sit down, grab some dinner and a glass of wine or beer.” Of this, we are aware. We hear it everyday. We love Coffy’s Cafe and they have filled a void in our district in food, non-alchoholic beverage and awesome vibe, not to mention an even bigger void in gluten-free, vegetarian options. But here, I am speaking of another restaurant that will compliment us all, including Coffy’s . A new restaurant to compliment our great business, energy and untapped potential.
So, we have the space. A great space. Over 3,000 square feet of space primed for restaurant. As we market, recruit and work to make this happen for the district, we want to hear from you. You all, who have supported and watched your Plaza District grow. What do you envision for a new restaurant in OKC…better more, in the Plaza District? Let us know!
Best of OKC-Such Great Heights
We were so thrilled to have 16 Plaza District nominations for The Gazette’s Best of OKC. Truly, to have so many new businesses in the Top 5 was incredibly inspiring to all we have accomplished. Thank you so much for supporting us in that. We’ve heard alot of frustration around some of the Best of OKC results that were released this morning, and in all honesty, we were kind of bummed more great Plaza District businesses didn’t get some of the gold ourselves (but super happy for Lyric Theatre and Velvet Monkey Salon!). The Plaza District, among many other districts and local businesses pour so much energy into what we do, it’s hard to believe sometimes that people don’t see it. That people don’t realize how much better our city has become, and is becoming each day. That’s not to say many of the businesses voted were undeserving, because many were. I’m just speaking to those who wished to see more of their favorites listed.
It’s not necessarily about the winning, but more a concern our own city isn’t getting what we are all doing. So, we can continue to gripe about it, or we can do something about it. We are choosing to do something about it, and we need your help. The Plaza District Association and businesses are all here as young entrepenuers. We’ve got limited budgets to plaster billboards and large glossy ads across the city. We feel the love through social media and the folks who are willingly plugged into the downtown community, but we can only reach that audience who wants to be reached. So, what can you do?
Continue to support us and all of your favorite local businesses. We couldn’t have made it this far without you, and we’ll always need you.
Talk us up! Don’t assume everyone knows about us. Tell your friends, your co-workers–invite new people to LIVE on the Plaza. What business would you be heartbroken if closed? Talk to someone new about that business.
The thing is, it’s not just about word of mouth. These businesses aren’t people just out to make a buck. They are here to make this city a better place for you to live. And they’re doing a great job. The last two years have exploded, so help us take us to such great heights! This goes for all of your favorite locals businesses. It’s not about Plaza, Paseo, Midtown or 9th St, Stockyards or Western. We’ll all rise together, but we need your help!
Love Local! Love 16th (and all!)
-Kristen Vails
Executive Director in business
Plaza mom in life
You have no excuse to be bored.
It’s true. You have no excuse to be bored this weekend. You cannot escape all of the local art goodness…unless you head out to the suburbs, then maybe you can. Here’s the proof:
LIVE on the Plaza. See below post for details, but plenty of art, music and local shopping. 7-11 PM 1700 nw 16th. A must attend, but we may be a little bias 
Istvan Gallery-Opening reception for Kate Rivers and Lori Oden. Also check out Maya Trading Company. All just around the corner from the Plaza District Details here
IAO Gallery-IAO will host a retrospective exhibit to celebrate the photography of the late Diane Jackson, a long-time resident of Oklahoma City. Opening reception Friday night 6-9pm . Details here
“The Mission,” an annual juried exhibition and fundraiser. The 2010 show will be held at the Norick Art Center on the Oklahoma City University campus, August 13-14. Opening reception Friday night
2nd Friday Circuit of Art-by all means you should definitely hit up LIVE on the Plaza 2nd Fridays, but Norman also hosts a great showcase of local creative talent. Be sure to hit up our friends in Norman, as many openings take place throughout. Details here
So there you have. Go forth and support local art.
LIVE on the Plaza this Friday! 8/13 7-11pm
Quick Peek for LIVE on the Plaza, Aug 13th 2010
Artist Market: 1704 NW 16th
Velvet Monkey Salon: open house
Collected Thread: Open house
DNA Galleries: Artwork by Michael Combs
Convergence: ReThread OKC
Coffy’s Cafe: Open Mic
Bad Granny’s Bazaar: Back to School Style, MASCOT live music 8pm
PhotoArt Studios: Open house
JuJu Gallery: author Dennis Mcdonald and artist Felix Matos
Midwest Media: Artwork by Holly Wilson
Chaparney: Open house
No Regrets Tattoo: Two Year Anniversary!
-$40 OKC/405 tattoos
Warpaint Clothing: open house
Rescue Corner: Greyhounds, Pugs, Mastiffs, Rottweilers and Weimaraners
Be sure not to miss this month’s Live on the Plaza for another FREE showcase of unique local art and music! From 7 – 11 pm on August 13th, Oklahoma City’s Plaza District is hosting its monthly artwalk to exhibit a new collection of local aspiring artists, musicians, and creatives.
The Convergence Collective will host ReThread, a clothing donation event for Plaza neighborhood kids. Please bring donations of new and used clothing, jeans, and backpacks, and check out the ReThread Shop which will open Saturday 10-2 for the community in need.
Be sure to stop by Bad Granny’s Bazaar to hear live music by Mascot, starting at 8 pm. Between the live music and the array of thrift store oddities, there is enough fun to get lost there for hours. Great back to school deals for the vintage inspired.
Artist Michael Combs will be featuring work at DNA Galleries. This is a must-see collection; his paintings are beautifully illustrative, lingering into the surreal. Also be sure to shop the locally made merchandise throughout the store.
Coffy’s Café is hosting an open-mic night for all you poets, storytellers, and musicians needing an outlet for your fountain of creativity! Stop in for gluten-free treats or tasty drinks, and feel free to use the array of instruments provided in-store for the public to enjoy.
The Velvet Monkey will be displaying work by locals artists as well. Visitors will be free to roam the array of vintage clothing, magazines, and various cool accessories located in the back as well.
For the dog lovers, greyhounds, pugs, Rotts and Weim’s will be setting up ‘Rescue Corner’ on 16th St & Blackwelder. Visitors are invited to come and meet the dogs and learn about the process that goes into rescuing, rehabilitating, and adopting these sweet pups.
Throat dry? Stomach growling? Then stop by the Pops 66 truck to sample their legendary array of sodas, or grab a tasty burger and some fries.
Happy 2 to No Regrets Tatoo! Check out live graffiti by Tree and Leaf’s Dusty Gilpin, live music by DJ Neu and $40 405/OKC tattoos! Celebrate a great two years and many more in the Plaza District!
At Juju Gallery, come spend Friday the 13th with special guest horror author Dennis Mcdonald and artist Felix Matos at JuJu Gallery. PLus featuring new accessories from Tulsa designer VitalStyle Creations!
Midwest Media & Marketing is excited to host artist Holly Wilson, a local artist whose figurative work transports us to places found, remembered and felt through two and three dimensional works in a variety of mediums. Be sure not to miss this unique collection from this talented local artist.
Don’t forget to stop by Warpaint Clothing to see their new selection of awesome handmade t-shirts and fashion accessories. Created with 2 parts love and 3 parts creativity ensures that you won’t find any other pieces like these anywhere else.No Regrets Tattoo will be hosting an open house and welcomes guests to come and take a look around.
The Plaza Artist market boast local artists at 1704 nw 16th. Bella Vita Jewelry, House of Smash, Promise Art, Garrett Shockey, JASWORX, Jennifer Jewel, Dreaming Hazel and Handmade with Heart! Stop by for local, handmade art!
Tax Free Weekend in the Plaza District
What’s better than tax-free weekend? A tax-free weekend in the Plaza District. You can save and shop local! Our retailers, DNA Galleries, Collected Thread, Warpaint Clothing, Bad Granny’s Bazaar and Velvet Monkey Vintage have plenty of great new merchandise to kick off the new school year, or just outfit you in Plaza Style!
Thinking Plaza? Think now. Available space
The Plaza District still has some available space for those interested in launching (or relocating) small, local businesses which would compliment the array of creative businesses that make up the Plaza District. Some benefits to becoming a Plaza District biz:
-a community of like minded business owners and employees who support and promote each other
-business, marketing and design support from a non-profit district association with resources from the National and Oklahoma Main Street center, the City of Oklahoma City, and various other networks
-Group marketing and advertising
-participation in the monthly LIVE on the Plaza
-a location in the city’s emerging hub of creative, local business
-some spaces zoned live/work for encouraging artists and creatives
Below are available spaces in the district:
$900 / 1br – Live/Work Space in PLAZA District (1609 N Blackwelder Ave #2)
1 bedroom 1 bath 1100 sq ft mol. Green Concrete Floors, IKEA Kitchen and large Living Room/Studio space. Previously an old commercial bldg that has been restored into live/work spaces! Currently, next door is Retrokc, a mid century eclectic shop.
If you are interested this space, please fill out this form. If you are interested in being notified for future available space, please fill out this form.
Thank you!
