Go East, Norman Shoppers, Go East
In 1998, Norman resident Chip Minty wrote for a local news organization that Heisman Square at 12th Avenue and Alameda Street was on the rebound after 15 years of being considered an eyesore.
The multiple closures during the 80s and early 90s had included a Heisman Cinema Four Theater which opened in 1972.
Minty said predictions were that Norman would grow east, and Alameda would be widened all the way to Lake Thunderbird.
Now, 20 years later, Alameda is still two lanes most of the way to the lake, but east Norman is indeed growing. That growth has been more east, southeast rather than northeast, but the bottom line is we’ve gotten dozens of new restaurants with other retail following, including an FFO Home discount furniture store coming soon.
“I saw ‘Chariots of Fire’ at the theater back in the day,” Minty said recently. “That was in the 1980s, but there wasn’t enough rooftops and all of the development then was going west.”
People who lived on the west side wouldn’t come east to shop back then, he said, but east siders would go west of I-35 to shop.
“The opportunities to build houses are greater on the east side than the west side today, and they’re nice houses,” Minty said. “And they’re happy to shop near their homes on the east side.”
Growth in the residential sector has provided the market for east side retail, and we now have quick routes in and out of town — to the north via Robinson Street unimpeded by the train due the underpass, then to I-35 via Flood Avenue. We can also use Robinson to jet over the University North Park retail district or Robinson Crossing, but honestly, a lot of us would like to shop closer to our homes.
To the south, we can now make a quick connect to Highway 9 and all the development along that corridor, including an easy connection to Ed Noble Parkway and my favorite restaurant, Misal’s of India, as well as Home Depot; PetSmart; Bed, Bath and Beyond and Barnes and Noble Bookstore.
With that new, quick access, I’m hoping Ed Noble will re-invent itself much as the once defunct Heisman Square has done.
Change happens, and I’m excited that the east side where I now live is blossoming again.
Dare I dream that we might once again get a movie theater on this side of town, maybe just something small with discounted second run movies everyone can afford?
For now, I’ll continue to vote with my pocketbook and support my favorite Norman retail and restaurant venues.
Have a great week and don’t forget to #ShopLocal, #ShopNorman.
Alameda Square and east Norman
FFO Home discount furniture store is coming to 831 Sonoma Park Dr. north of Walmart on 12th Avenue NE. According to the new construction building permit, the value of the future store will be $1.65 million.
FFO Home is one of the fastest growing furniture stores in the U.S. and Haag Brown Commercial said the furniture store will be constructed on the 2.4 acres adjacent to the Walmart Super Center. FFO Home is a value furniture retailer who offers customers quality furniture and selection at a 30-50 percent discount. The company was founded over 30 years ago and keeps expanding with over 75 locations across multiple states. Karleen Krywucki of Price Edwards & Company in Oklahoma City represented the property’s owner, Aldi Inc. (Kansas), in the transaction.
The 23,500 square foot FFO Home store is in close proximity to such national restaurants and retailers as Pizza Hut, IHOP, Walgreens, McDonald’s, and Game Stop. The building is located adjacent to the entrance of Walmart and has exposure to over 31,000 cars per day, according to the company press release.
Amber’s Avon Beauty Center, 1000 E. Alameda St. in Alameda Square is hosting a Mother’s Day Sip and Shop event from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on May 4, the Saturday before Mother’s Day. The event will also feature a wine tasting by Canadian River Vineyards & Winery from noon until 3 p.m. Moms and others can enjoy free goodie bags and refreshments.
Schlotzsky’s is open in Alameda Square.
An occupancy permit was issued for Sister’s Mediterranean Taste, 1400 12th Ave. SE in East Village at 12th Ave, Suite 312, with a $74,000 value. Owned by three sisters from Lebanon, the new restaurant offers everything from tabouli to vegetarian falafel to kebbah, kafta, gyros and more and is already getting good reviews from locals.
The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 12:30 to 9 p.m. on Saturday. Sister’s is closed on Sundays.
New development at the northwest corner of 12th Ave. NE and Alameda Street will include a Chick-fil-A.
View the Full Article at normantranscript.com | Sunday, May 6th 2018
