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Local Flavors

By
Mary Willa Allen
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Photo courtesy Cherry Street Kitchen

Cherry Street Kitchen

Bright, bold, welcoming and delicious, Cherry Street Kitchen is the ideal pit-stop for breakfast, brunch or lunch. While once nestled within its namesake neighborhood, the restaurant can now be found in an expanded locale in the Art Deco district.

Any type of breakfast iteration you desire is likely on the menu at CSK. A must-try is the Boo-Yah Breakfast Bowl, with scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, BurnCo patty sausage plus a biscuit and gravy. Other classics to nosh include French toast, the breakfast parfait and the chicken pot pie. You won’t want to miss the CSK breakfast sandwich either, with eggs, smoked pork bacon shoulder, cheddar cheese and mayonnaise on a Brioche bun.

For lunch-goers, try the Cherry Bomb burger: a 1/3 lb. beef patty with house-made pimento cheese, smoky bacon, fried onions and cherry chipotle barbecue sauce. Lighter options include the tuna salad and the TAB – a smoked turkey sandwich with fresh avocado, bacon, lettuce and tomato. There also exists a wide array of paninis, including the ever-popular turkey chipotle, and salads range from the Mediterranean Cobb to the Santa Fe, with grilled chicken, black beans and fire-roasted corn salsa. 

CSK serves up a bevy of beers on tap, plus varied mimosa options, wines and tasty craft cocktails.  

Lastly, make sure you save room for dessert – try the cookies and lemon bars first.

Photo courtesy the Tipsy Tomato

The Tipsy Tomato

The perfect place to watch the game, connect with friends or play some trivia, the Tipsy Tomato in OKC may just be the hidden gem you’ve been looking for.

Start with the classics: sauced wings, spinach artichoke dip, Brussels sprouts, fried artichoke hearts or the hummus platter with celery, carrots, tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, olive and Focaccia bread. If you’re a fan of grazing, the Tipsy Tomato has you covered with build-your-own charcuterie boards with options including smoked salmon, salami, Caprese and apple brie. Popular sandwiches include the Chicken Caprese with basil pesto, fresh mozzarella, arugula and cherry tomatoes, as well as the French Dip focaccia with roast beef, melted Gruyere and caramelized onions.

If you’re looking to splurge, top-shelf options include a grilled filet mignon, fresh salmon and Hawaiian kabobs.

Along with plenty of pizza and burgers options, plus desserts like flourless chocolate cake, housemade bread pudding and the blueberry swirl cheesecake, you’ll leave full and happy. Don’t forget about classic cocktails, wines, beers and other specialty beverages.

From Plaquemines Parish to Tulsa Plates

By
Brian Schwartz
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Dishes at C’est Bon showcase the rich flavors of New Orleans cuisine, from Creole classics to original recipes inspired by Chef David Franklin’s family traditions.

When Helen C. Franklin fired up the stove in her big house in Plaquemines Parish, anyone who could claim the remotest acquaintance mustered up some excuse to stop by. Plaquemines is a long, low-lying sprawl of country stretching from New Orleans to the Gulf of Mexico. 

“Grandma’s cooking,” recalls her grandson David Franklin, “brought family and friends together. The whole family helped with the cooking. Cooking and eating were really big with us.” 

From the day he turned seven, young David was a part of this. 

“I learned to cook just by watching and being involved,” he says.

He was a cook at a nearby seafood restaurant while he was in high school. 

“It broadened my horizons,” Franklin recalls, “made me step outside the box of traditional family meals.” 

He wasn’t confident enough to stake his future on his cooking just yet, though, and for the next twenty years he entered the world of finance and accounting. He did some catering, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the praise of strangers made him realize: “I can cook – and I’m good at it.” Meanwhile, his grandmother had died and Franklin realized that he wanted to keep her legacy going. That’s why a huge portrait of Helen Franklin smiles benevolently at the diners in David’s Tulsa restaurant, C’est Bon.

Franklin opened his first restaurant in Denison, Texas and later moved it just across the Red River to Durant – but he wasn’t content. 

“I wanted to go to a larger city, with more diversity and more culture,” he says. He did his research, exploring both the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metros. Eventually he settled on a space inside the newly developed shopping mall on north Peoria. TEDC, the non-profit that ran it was, says Franklin, “really helpful with improving the space.”

Chef David Franklin, owner of C’est Bon, draws inspiration from his upbringing and his grandmother’s cooking to create New Orleans–style dishes. Photos courtesy David Franklin

He worked on building, not publicity, but the day C’est Bon opened, the place was packed. The word had spread. It was a historic moment: The history of food in New Orleans is intimately tied to Black cooks and chefs. Enslaved people brought from Africa such quintessentially New Orleans dishes as gumbo. Later, Black chefs working behind the scenes in New Orleans’ most famous restaurants – and later, on their own at places like Leah Chase’s restaurant, Dooky Chase – invented so much of what the world thinks of as the finest New Orleans cuisine. 

“But I don’t focus on being Black,” Franklin says. “I focus on taking what I know about my culture and displaying that to Tulsa.”

It’s a proud and wonderful display. Franklin, whose creative talents really shine, invented almost all of the dishes. (One exception is the smothered chicken, which uses Helen Franklin’s exact recipe.) But his recipes are designed to give you the authentic feel of New Orleans. It is, he says, “as if you were to visit my hometown and come to a family reunion or dinner.” 

Some of the best dishes are named after his family. Grandma’s Smothered Chicken, of course. Uncle Buddy’s Special features red beans served with chicken wings. The Anderson has fried eggplant stuffed with seafood au gratin atop angel hair pasta topped with a rich decadent Creole sauce. 

“My grandpa Anderson grew eggplant,” Franklin remembers. 

Then there’s the Highway 23, their most popular item. Fried or blackened catfish reclines on a bed of dirty rice with a wonderful Creole crawfish sauce. 

There are lots of delectable dishes on the menu. Standard ones like the aforementioned crawish etouffee. Seafood boils. Sandwiches. Lovely mixed drinks, too. You can’t go wrong here. 

“Every dish is a hit,” Franklin assures us. “Every dish is created with love.”

Tasty Tidbits

By
Mary Willa Allen
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Photo courtesy Taco Nation

Taco Nation

Hip, kid-friendly and with excellent patio dining, Taco Nation flies under the radar as a hidden gem in OKC’s Wheeler District. 

The stars of the show – the tacos, of course – are served a la carte, and options abound. In the beef section, they offer barbacoa, baja steak and steak chimichurri; in the chicken section, try the ancho-lime version with charbroiled chicken thigh; or head to sea with the mahi-mahi or shrimp. Specials include the Surf n’ Turf with steak, shrimp and chili lime aioli, and the Okie with carnitas, pinto beans and Cotija cheese. 

Other goodies to try include quesadillas, nachos, salads, loaded fries and sweets like house-made churros and cinnamon chips. Stick around for a bevy of margarita options, as well as craft cocktails, beers, wine and mocktails.

Photo courtesy Scoot’s

Scoot’s Italian Ice

A humble yet wildly popular Italian ice spot in Yukon, Scoot’s is ideal for a quick sweet treat no matter the season. 

Guests can choose from numerous fruit-inspired flavors and creative combinations, as specials and ice flavors change every week. Alongside Italian ice, Scoot’s also offers floats, soft-serve sundaes, cake pops and layered desserts with ice cream and Italian ice. Some flavors to try include blue raspberry, mango, sour cherry, pumpkin spice and butter beer. 

Mi Tierra

Traditional Mexican fare is the name of the game at Tulsa’s Mi Tierra, which offers locations on Riverside, KingsPointe Village and Glenpool. 

Get your meal started off right with queso, pollo fundido, guacamole or the Mi Tierra sampler, with two beef flautas, a quesadilla, empanada, three chicken wings and spinach queso dip.

Photo courtesy Mi Tierra

The lunch and dinner menus are extensive – so be ready to peruse for a bit. Enchiladas, chimichangas, burritos and fajitas are all on the table. Try the enchiladas rancheras – three cheese enchiladas topped with shredded chicken or beef smothered in ranchero sauce. Hankering for a burrito? The burrito chipotle is a great start: a 10” flour tortilla stuffed with grilled chicken, rice, corn and onions, topped with creamy chipotle sauce. Shrimp fajitas are always a hit, or you can try the cochinita pibil – a Yucatan recipe with slow-roasted and marinated shredded pork, rice and beans.

Photo courtesy Kai Vietnamese

Kai Vietnamese

Authentic Vietnamese cuisine can be found at Kai, tucked away in downtown Tulsa. Begin with Vietnamese egg rolls, dumplings, flank steak skewers, calamari or crab rangoons. Spring rolls are abundant – try the shrimp and pork, the lemongrass pork or the chicken. Bao steamed buns come with your choice of pork belly, chicken, or grilled/fried shrimp, and the bahn mi options are sure to impress.

Bún cha gio – vermicelli noodle bowls – are popular as well, with options including the pork meatball and chicken stir-fry. You can also opt for fried rice dishes or pho, which many say is the highlight of the restaurant. There are dozens of other dishes to choose from, alongside traditional Vietnamese drinks and desserts. 

Spring on Stage

By
Mary Willa Allen
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Mamma Mia!; photo by Joan Marcus

Spring isn’t the only thing blooming this month – stages across Oklahoma are bursting to life, too.

In Tulsa, the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra launches the lineup with Schubert’s Symphony No. 9 on April 4 at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Celebrity Attractions brings the crowd-pleasing jukebox musical Mamma Mia! to town April 7-12. Later in the month, Theatre Tulsa presents the classic Gypsy April 24-26, followed by Tulsa Ballet performing Marilyn April 30-May 3. You can also catch Signature Symphony’s patriotic Tulsa Sings! America @250 concert April 25 at the TCC VanTrease PACE.

Over in Oklahoma City, the OKC Philharmonic offers two standout concerts at the Civic Center Music Hall: Brahms & Bronfman on April 4 and Disney in Concert – Once Upon a Time on April 17-18. Meanwhile, OKC Broadway brings the hit musical Hell’s Kitchen to town April 7-12. If you still haven’t gotten your fill, Armstrong Choral Union performs April 26 at Armstrong Auditorium.

Looking for something a little different? On April 4, head to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge near Indiahoma for the long-running Holy City of the Wichitas Easter Passion Play. Or wrap up the month with the Duncan Little Theatre’s Shakespearean Festival, April 24-25 in Duncan.

April Around Town

By
Staff
-

If your April calendar isn’t full yet, it’s about to be, with communities across Oklahoma are rolling out festivals, markets and celebrations all month long.

In Tulsa, kick things off at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center when Tulsa Town Hall welcomes journalist Steve Hartman on April 3. Flower lovers have plenty to choose from, including Art in Bloom at Philbrook Museum of Art (April 3-5), Springfest (April 10-11) at the Tulsa Garden Center and Tulsa Botanic Blooms running through April 30 at the Tulsa Botanic Garden. Later in the month, explore Native artistry at the Mvskoke Art Market (April 18-19) at River Spirit Casino Resort, or step back in time at the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival, running April 25-May 31 at the Castle of Muskogee.

In Oklahoma City, festivities start early with the Cruisin’ 23rd: Route 66 Centennial Celebration on April 11, honoring the legendary U.S. Route 66 with a car show, live music and local vendors. Celebrate the planet at Earth Fest on April 18 at Scissortail Park, then head downtown for the iconic Festival of the Arts at Bicentennial Park from April 23-26, often dubbed OKC’s “rite of spring.” The month closes with the powerful community tradition of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, beginning at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum on April 24-26.

Spring festivals abound elsewhere, too: the Azalea Festival continues through April 30 at Muskogee’s Honor Heights Park; the Norman Medieval Fair arrives April 10-12 at Reaves Park; the Red Dirt Film Festival screens cinematic gems April 17-19 in Stillwater; and the beloved Norman Music Festival returns to rock Main Street April 23-25.

Game Time, Oklahoma!

By
Mary Willa Allen
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Zoo Run; photo courtesy the Tulsa Zoo

April is packed with action for sports fans of every stripe.

In Tulsa, equestrian enthusiasts can head to Expo Square for two major events: the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association Spring Show (April 2-5) and the National Reining Breeders Classic (April 14-25). On the ice, the Tulsa Oilers hit the rink April 10-12 and 17 at the BOK Center, while the Tulsa Oilers football squad takes on the Fishers Freight April 18 at the same venue. Prefer to compete instead of spectate? Lace up for the ZooRun at the Tulsa Zoo on April 18, with distances for runners of all levels. The month wraps with fight-night excitement: XFN 408 on April 24 at River Spirit Casino Resort and Smoke and Guns XI – where firefighters and police square off for charity – on April 25 at the BOK Center.

In Oklahoma City, No. 1 ranked Oklahoma City Thunder close out regular-season home games April 2, 5 and 12 at the Paycom Center. Rodeo fans can catch the Cinch Breakaway National Championships April 10-12 at OKC Fair Park, while endurance athletes take over Nichols Hills Plaza for the Red Bud Classic on April 11-12, featuring running, cycling, walking and marathon events.

On the Big Screen

By
Drew Joseph Allen
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Bob Odenkirk and Jess Mcleod in Normal. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Film; a Magnolia Pictures Release.

April is here – and it’s bringing a packed lineup of films. With such a wide variety hitting theaters, there’s bound to be something worth the ticket price.

For your animation fix, check out The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. A sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), this new entry looks to bring back all the family fun and spectacle while heading into outer space. Chris Pratt (Jurassic World), Anya Taylor-Joy (The Menu), Charlie Day (Horrible Bosses) and Jack Black (School of Rock) all return as Mario, Peach, Luigi and Bowser, respectively, along with newcomer Brie Larson (Room) as the outer space Princess Rosalina. The animation looks slick, and plenty more Mario characters show up in what looks to be a perfect film to take the entire family to when it releases on April 1. 

For a romantic (?) dramedy, look no further than The Drama. Starring Zendaya (Dune: Part Two) and Robert Pattison (The Batman), the plot follows a couple just days before their wedding who must deal with newly discovered information about each other. The trailer is deeply uncomfortable, with the “comedy” seemingly rooted in how painfully awkward it becomes to watch two people navigate conflict on what should be one of the happiest days of their lives.We’ll all see how weird it can get when it drops on April 3.

If you want pure action, don’t miss Normal. The story follows Ulysses, played by Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul), who arrives in the town of Normal, Minnesota, to take over as temporary sheriff – where he learns quickly that the town has deep criminal ties. The cast also includes Henry Winkler (Barry) and Lena Headey (Game of Thrones) and should shape up to be a fun and suspenseful time at the theater. Odenkirk is a joy in his newfound action roles, so with any luck, he’ll make this worth viewing when it releases on April 17.

For a family drama with Scottish flair, we’ve got Glenrothan. The plot concerns Donal and Sandy, two brothers who have not seen each other in 35 years, reuniting in their native Scotland to make amends. Starring Brian Cox (Succession) and Alan Cumming (Schmigadoon!), this film will also be Cox’s directorial debut at the age of 79 – showing it truly is never too late to try something new. The trailer has charm and wit in droves, and the banter will likely be exquisite when it hits theaters on April 17. 

Lastly, the music biopic of the year: Michael. Telling the story of Michael Jackson from an early age to the beginning of his solo career, Michael has been mired in alleged production issues and writing changes, muddying the waters on whether this would be a sugar coated story or not. Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson will play the title role, and we’ll soon see if this is just another run of the mill biopic or something that, like its subject matter, stands the test of time. It releases on April 24.

Sean Kouplen

By
Mary Willa Allen
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Photo courtesy Regent Bank

Chairman and CEO of Regent Bank and one of the principal organizers of Regent Capital Corporation, Sean Kouplen has lead the company since 2008. Kouplen previously served as Oklahoma’s Secretary of Commerce and Workforce Development and remains active in numerous local and statewide leadership roles. We caught up with Kouplen and got his thoughts on … 

… his proudest accomplishments.

I wish everyone could have the opportunity to live out their dream. My experience with Regent Bank has been just that. From raising the initial capital and purchasing a small community bank in Nowata in 2008 to entering our fourth state and eclipsing $2 billion in assets earlier this year, serving as CEO of Regent Bank has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. I am extremely grateful.  

We have experienced so many wonderful accomplishments including surviving the great financial crisis of 2008-2010, expanding rapidly, serving our communities and winning so many awards. But the highlight of my Regent Bank experience has been bringing my faith into the workplace. This has given our employees a greater purpose and a new level of care in our workplace. I’ve watched it change lives and save marriages. There’s nothing better than that, and this is why we developed the 94X faith at work movement so we can help other businesses experience the same blessing.  

… how his leadership style has evolved since his early days. 

Hopefully, it is a 180-degree difference. I have always loved people, but early in my career, I was very insecure. I was always trying to prove myself and make myself look good. I felt that I always had to be right and I was way too concerned with my personal brand.  

As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned that none of this makes a great leader. Leadership is about serving your employees. Today, I try to focus on listening well, being vulnerable and asking for help. Glorifying God and serving our employees is much more important than my personal reputation or standing. I am still very competitive and have high expectations, but I realize that a great company is really about building the best culture and team. The president or CEO gets way too much credit when a company is successful.  

… the responsibilities local banks have to their communities.

Where you bank really does matter. In 1990, there were over 15,000 banks in our country. Today, there are 4,379. The top ten U.S. banks control over 60% of the assets. This is concerning because community banks like Regent Bank are proven to charge lower fees, provide more credit to small businesses and support their local community at a higher level. The value of community banks is really an issue of proximity. We are all most focused and generous in our hometowns, and this is where community banks live, work, worship and play. The executives of national institutions may have never even visited Oklahoma, so they just aren’t going to be as committed to our communities. I believe the community bank is the cornerstone of the community.  Providing competitive products and access to credit for local business, nonprofits and families is critical, but so are donations of time and money to charities and involvement with local charities. 

… what Oklahoma businesses need most right now to grow.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time as Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Workforce Development, and I’m very grateful to Gov. Stitt for giving me the opportunity. However, I believe that the greatest impact in our community or state actually comes from the private sector. We have made tremendous progress as a state, but I was never successful in convincing our state leadership to fund a marketing plan for Oklahoma. We are competing with every other state for talent and investment, yet we don’t invest materially in developing our brand on a national scale. I think Oklahoma is one of our country’s best kept secrets and we need to do a better job of telling our story.  

When you study the largest companies in Oklahoma, you find that almost all of them started here. I believe our state should focus less on recruiting large new businesses into the state and focus more on helping our existing businesses to grow. Regent Bank has added over 220 new jobs to our economy since we started, and our state would pay millions to attract a company like that. I believe state incentive dollars should shift to help new businesses get started here and reward existing companies for growth. Finally, to grow and thrive, Oklahoma businesses need a quality workforce.  Our educational rankings are unacceptable and our state should make education the highest priority at all levels: K-12, career tech, trade schools and college/universities.

… the future of Regent Bank.

I believe Regent Bank is just getting started. We just acquired a wonderful community bank in North Central Florida and hired a fantastic team of bankers in Dallas. We are so blessed to continue attracting remarkably talented people. The bank has grown to a level where our lending limit is over $50 million per client and we can serve almost any business in our market area. We also have the resources and expertise to deploy the best in technology so our clients can enjoy the personal touch of a community bank and the best digital experience as well.

The banking industry is evolving very rapidly, and we are making some exciting investments to serve our clients more efficiently. Our executive team is one of the youngest in the industry. We are innovative and have a collaborative culture.Regent Bank is built to last for the long haul, and I truly believe the best is yet to come.  

… how he resets at the end of the day. 

I love to call my extended family, or my girls who are at college, on the way home. That always puts everything into perspective. I also pray at the end of every day to thank God for the many blessings he gave me during that day. When we live a life of gratitude, a lot of the little things that bother us during the day tend to fade away.  

Securing Oklahoma’s Digital Future

By
Rocco Geppi
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At the University of Tulsa, cybersecurity students combine technical training and research focused on protecting critical infrastructure, including energy and defense systems. Photo courtesy the University of Tulsa

Cybersecurity has moved from a back-office IT concern to a frontline issue affecting public safety, economic stability and national defense. As ransomware attacks disrupt hospitals, cybercriminals target utilities, and foreign adversaries probe government networks, Oklahoma is investing heavily in education and partnerships to prepare a workforce capable of defending critical systems.

The demand for cybersecurity professionals is growing because nearly every organization depends on interconnected digital infrastructure. Power, water, transportation, banking and healthcare systems all rely on networks that allow efficiency – but also expose vulnerabilities. At the same time, attacks are becoming more sophisticated and more costly, forcing organizations of all sizes to strengthen their defenses.

 “Cybersecurity is really about protecting trust,” says Christopher Freeze, Ph.D., assistant professor of cybersecurity at the University of Oklahoma’s Polytechnic Institute. Freeze emphasizes that cybersecurity is no longer simply a technical issue, but a business and national security concern. Federal requirements tied to defense contracting and infrastructure protection have raised expectations for preparedness, driving demand for professionals who understand complex systems, people and risk management.

Oklahoma’s response is shaped by its strategic importance. The state is home to critical energy infrastructure, major transportation corridors, tribal governments and several military installations, including Tinker Air Force Base and Fort Sill. Those assets make Oklahoma both valuable and vulnerable. In response, collaboration among universities, government agencies, military partners and private industries has increased, creating pathways for talent development and information sharing.

Universities play a central role in that effort, too. Programs across the state emphasize applied learning through hands-on labs, simulated environments and real-world scenarios. Students train on virtual networks, analyze cyber incidents and practice decision-making under pressure. Cyber ranges allow them to experience realistic attack scenarios while remaining in controlled settings.

 “Students should graduate ready to contribute in the workplace from day one,” Freeze says.

Students at the University of Oklahoma’s Polytechnic Institute train in hands-on cybersecurity labs, using simulated networks and cyber ranges to prepare for real-world threat scenarios. Photo courtesy the OU Polytechnic Institute

Cybersecurity education also extends beyond technical skills. Programs incorporate communication, leadership and policy training to prepare students to brief executives, justify security decisions and manage organizational risk. Certifications such as CompTIA Security+, penetration-testing credentials and leadership-focused certifications are embedded into coursework to align academic learning with industry expectations.

At the University of Tulsa, cybersecurity education is paired with research and statewide outreach. Faculty conduct research focused on protecting critical infrastructure, particularly in the energy sector, while also training students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

“Cybersecurity is all about protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information,” says Tyler Moore, Ph.D., Tandy Professor of Cyber Security and Information Assurance at TU. “Cybersecurity requires both technical skill – coding, system administration, network forensics – and organizational knowledge – economics, psychology and management.”

Partnerships with organizations such as Tinker Air Force Base, the FAA, Fort Sill and private technology firms further strengthen student preparation. Internships, research collaborations and workforce pipelines allow students to transition directly into roles supporting defense, aviation, energy and intelligence missions.

Graduates pursue careers as security analysts, risk managers, compliance specialists and leaders in government, industry and national security agencies. As cyber threats continue to evolve, Oklahoma’s growing cybersecurity ecosystem is positioning the state not only to respond, but to lead.

The Crossroads of Nostalgia and Necessity

By
Gretchen Eichenberg
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Shoppers gather at Tulsa Premium Outlets in Jenks, one of the state’s thriving malls drawing visitors with retail, dining and outdoor gathering spaces. Photo courtesy Tulsa Premium Outlets

A cornerstone of 1980s suburban life, the mall was once a place for teenagers to hang out, parents to browse and where culture took shape under fluorescent lights. But these sprawling retail hubs now sit at the crossroads of nostalgia and necessity, and are being reimagined not only as places to shop, but also as places to gather and connect.

Now largely a vacant space, the Crossroads Mall in Oklahoma City is partially occupied by the Santa Fe South Charter Schools, and was purchased by the nonprofit Crossroads Renewal Project, led by school superintendent Chris Brewster. With the help of Storyland Studios, a firm specializing in strategy, architecture and design, the vision for the space is a community-focused redevelopment with housing, retail and educational offerings.

“We’ve been helping them imagine what it could look like to kind of create an indoor main street and unpaved paradise, an area that really encourages human flourishing,” says project director Zach Miller.

While the finished project will welcome folks from around the city, Miller mentions that preserving the area’s culture is a priority.

“The team at Crossroads has been very diligent in advocating strongly to make sure that what we’re doing is taking the story that’s already being told in that area, the culture that’s there and the people who are there, and shining a light on the best version of that area,” he says.

Other fledgling mall spaces aren’t so lucky, like Promenade in Tulsa. Once a thriving shopping center, Promenade shut down in 2023 due to safety violations, being deemed “unfit for human occupancy” by the City of Tulsa. It’s currently owned by Kohan Retail Investment Group, but its future remains uncertain as communication between the owner and the city has been limited.

A rendering of the proposed Crossroads redevelopment in Oklahoma City shows the former mall reimagined as an indoor main street with housing, retail and educational spaces. Rendering courtesy Storyland Studios

One concept that’s stood the test of time? The outlet mall. As traditional enclosed malls began to lose their footing, outlet centers gained momentum by offering something shoppers still want: value, simplicity and a reason to make the trip. 

A new build, Tulsa Premium Outlets in Jenks is thriving. With more than 75 retailers and casual eateries, plus a 20,000 square-foot children’s play area, green spaces for gathering, a fire pit and a fountain, people come from near and far for more than shopping.

“Today’s modern and thriving shopping centers are truly mixed-use destinations,” says Hannah Daab, director of marketing and business development for Tulsa Premium Outlets, “where all aspects work together – anchors, individual retail brands, restaurants, entertainment, lifestyle and more – which is what Tulsa Premium Outlets has brought to Jenks and beyond.”

And she says Premium Outlets will continue to boom, even in the digital age.

“Today’s consumer doesn’t want to only shop in-store or only shop online, they want both,” Daab says. “Studies show that shoppers still prefer to touch and try before they buy, so we will continually strive to provide the newest retail concepts and trend-driven experiences to our visitors.”

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