Archive for August, 2011
Plaza District trailblazer celebrates tight-knit OKC retail community
We are so, so very thrilled to celebrate 3 years of Collected Thread. Lindsay has done so much to get the Plaza District where it is today, and we are so proud of the store’s accomplishments, and Lindsay’s dedication!
Collected Thread’s third anniversary party to promote local business, art
As the first retail business to officially open its doors in the recently renovated Plaza District, Collected Thread has been at the forefront of Oklahoma City’s shop local movement since 2008.
And on September 9-10, the handmade boutique will celebrate its third anniversary by promoting local artists and businesses who are contributing to the growth of the Plaza District and Oklahoma City.
“Our success has been built on a growing community of local entrepreneurs, artists and shoppers who are passionate about what’s happening here and are proud to be from Oklahoma,” said shop owner Lindsay Zodrow. “Our anniversary is a way to celebrate being part of this community that’s working together for the good of our city.”
During the Plaza District’s monthly LIVE on the Plaza event on September 9, Collected Thread will give away free cupcakes from Cuppies and Joe. On Saturday, September 10, the shop will give away more cupcakes, coffee from Café Evoke, t-shirts designed by local artist Dusty Gilpin from Tree and Leaf, and totes designed by local artist Dylan Bradway from DNA Galleries. On both days, the shop will raffle off several gift baskets and donate 20% of every sale containing three or more items to the Plaza District Association.
Plaza District Executive Director Kristen Vails said Zodrow’s community-building efforts began immediately after opening Collected Thread.
“She understands the hard work and dedication it takes to not only make her business thrive, but also to make the entire district thrive,” Vails said. “The Plaza District would not be the place it is today without Collected Thread’s truly unique store and commitment to our community.”
Zodrow started Collected Thread with a dream to promote handmade work by local artists, lots of encouragement from her husband Adam, and $2,000. As a studio art major at Oklahoma State University, she knew first-hand how difficult it could be for artists to make a living from their work.
“Our hope was that it could be a place that would promote young artists who weren’t established yet,” Zodrow said. “There are a lot of young artists who don’t have a place to start, and we hope to be a catalyst for their success.”
In addition to serving as a catalyst for local artists, Collected Thread has served as a catalyst for other local shops. Audrey Falk, owner of clothing and accessories retailer Shop Good, said Collected Thread inspired her to launch her own business.
“We’d been tossing around the idea of starting our own store, and seeing what a cool space Lindsay had created all by herself was so inspiring,” Falk said. “Her abilities to create visual interest and merchandise her products are amazing,”
Falk said she connected with Zodrow immediately upon being introduced at a LIVE on the Plaza event. Zodrow then mentored Falk and her husband Justin through starting up their own shop in the Plaza District. Zodrow provided feedback on new displays and new product lines and even provided encouragement on slow days.
Falk said having that relationship was invaluable.
“It’s collaborations like this that make Oklahoma City the ideal place to start a small business,” Falk said.“The retail attitude among the young local business owners is so complementary, as opposed to competitive. We all respect what each of us brings to the local retail scene and we work hard to create an atmosphere in which everyone can play to their strengths while cross-promoting with other shops.”
Zodrow said the Plaza District was the perfect place to set up shop and build a collaborative retail community.
“Just like the artists we wanted to promote, the Plaza District had not yet become established back in 2008—so there was a great opportunity to create something entirely new,” Zodrow said. “Thanks to the hard work and vision of the Plaza District Association and local entrepreneurs, the district is now lined with restored buildings and unique, energetic, locally owned businesses. Over the next 5 years, I see the district becoming a tourist attraction and something that our city proudly boasts of.”
About Collected Thread
Collected Thread is a handmade boutique whose purpose is to encourage and help support local craft, design and art. More than 50 percent of our handmade items are made locally. Come by for handmade and hand-altered clothing, housewares, accessories, jewelry and baby items. Located at 1705A NW 16th Street in Oklahoma City, we’re open Tuesdays – Saturdays from 11 am to 7 pm. For more information, please visit CollectedThread.com
Plaza PUP Committee
Who doesn’t want to do something nice for mans best friend? The Plaza District is working on getting its next brilliant idea up and rolling. We want to make the District more pet friendly and we need your help! We want to form a committee whose sole job would be to helping out our four legged friends. Duties would include:
-
working on Plaza District pet friendly additions such as water bowls and hitch posts outside stores
-
providing District business with locally made dog treats (yum)
-
hosting dog friendly events such as dog walks and play days
Please email Kristen Vails at info@plazadistrict.org for more information, questions or just to sign up
Plaza Public Art Wall
This is Stanley’s building. Stanley’s Garage (who is an excellent mechanic might we add) owns this cute little corner building. Right now, it’s boarded up and used for storage. While there is no plan to lease or sell this building in the near future, Stanley has agreed to let us build a temporary wall over the facade for public art projects. So, we will be building this wall for multi-functional use…allowing murals, installations and even space for artists to sell. This is such a great corner, and we will be able to activate this space and add chairs and tables, donated by the community (see a past post for info about this). Soon, you will able be able to relax on this corner viewing public art, playing community games or listening to live music.
We’re lucky to have The Society ( http://thesocietyokc.com/ ), who has volunteered to take on this project by building the wall. For the first few months, The Society artists will debut on the wall, doing live painting and other projects. Then, we will develop plans to use the wall for the future–whether it be a rotating featured artist, a place for other neighborhood projects to utilize and so on. To make this happen, The Society will be building the wall and gathering the materials. The list of materials we need to purchase new totals about $200. Since this is a community project, we are asking our neighborhood and community to help us build the wall. If you are passionate to see more public art in the district, please consider helping this cause! Click the link below to donate! Thank you!
Your LIVE on the Plaza photos!
" @mattgwillison: Baylor Judd killing it on the mic."
“@okaycity: Anyone else at @plazadistrict? It's jumping down here! ”
"@messycanvas: Fun to meet @jerrodcreates in person @thesocietyokc launch party. Amazing things happening @plazadistrict.”
"@ColtWestbrook And @theSOCIETYokc opening was legit. Great @LIVEonthePlaza tonight."
"@ColtWestbrook And @theSOCIETYokc opening was legit. Great @LIVEonthePlaza tonight.
"@cthomas122 Dunking Cornett @LIVEonthePlaza @Fowlervw"
"@treeandleaf: Painting with @mrdylanb at The Society Launch @LIVEonthePLAZA! Come hang!"
"@ddunc: @mynameisJabee rockin the stage! @liveontheplaza #societyopening”
"@marekalaine: Yes! Father-son challenge at the dunk tank! @CaseyCornett and @MickCornett! @LIVEonthePlaza @Fowlervw #dunkdialing!"
"@Fowlervw: Mayor Mick dunks @caseycornett at @LIVEonthePlaza! Nice!"
"@Allographics: Stop by @LiveonThePlaza and dunk @StudioFJ!!"
'@FowlerVW: Who doesn't want a drumstick on a day like this? Stop by our @LIVEonthePlaza booth for free frozen treats!
"@sscriv:“Terry Craghead on the beats at @convergenceokc for @LIVEONTHEPLAZA”
"@sscriv: “Charles is checking out more art by Carla Schwab at @convergenceokc for @LIVEONTHEPLAZA”
and a link to a video! “@CaseyCornett Am I really in OKC??? Rapping, Bikers on 1/4 pipes, art galleries… @LIVEonthePlaza @plazadistrict post.ly/2rw05“
and a link to photos of Ferris O’Brien in the dunk tank by @NathanPoppee: http://vdubsessions.wordpress.com/2011/08/13/liveontheplaza8122011-1/
Thanks all, send your photos to @plazadistrict or kristen@plazadistrict.org and we’ll add them!
National Tell Someone About the Plaza District Month
Did you know August is National Tell Someone About the Plaza District month? We didn’t either, because we actually just made it up. All of you loyal fans are so great to support the district, but we need you to tell your friends about the hidden land of the Plaza District. So many still don’t know about the budding creativity, culture and local businesses we have here—and its a shame!
Please help spread the word to friends, neighbors and colleagues! Tell someone about LIVE on the Plaza, your favorite district shop or hangout. The Plaza District has always been a grassroots movement, and because of that your word of mouth is so important to our progress!
So celebrate National Tell Someone About the Plaza District Month, we hope to see you, and your friends around!
If someone told you about us with this post–check out our videos to get a taste of the Plaza District!
