OPENING CHAPTER
Bookstore anchors Midtown retail corridor
When it comes to downtown area retail, Walker Avenue in Midtown is the closest to proving the city may be ready to support the return of shopping corridors in urban areas.
Commonplace Books at 1325 N Walker Ave. is the latest addition to the corridor between NW 10 and NW 13. The storefront, among the best displays downtown, anchors the entryway into Midtown from NW 13 and creates an important connection to the historic Heritage Hills neighborhood.
The bookstore had occupied a much smaller temporary spot at NW 11 and Walker, but in its permanent spot that opened earlier this month, it creates a strong anchor for the retail corridor carefully curated by Bob Howard’s Midtown Renaissance.
The retail frontage on the first floor of The Edge apartments was an afterthought for developer Gary Brooks, who added the space in response to community requests voiced during review of his proposal for land that was controlled by the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority.
Leasing the space wasn’t a sure thing. The south storefront was leased to a special restaurant/juice bar operated by Organic Squeeze. The restaurant part of the operation was not a success and Organic Squeeze shut down last year. The juice bar is set to open again in smaller, reconfigured space at The Edge. The space leased to Commonplace Books has stood empty since the complex opened two years ago.
Neighbors appear to have fallen in love with the bookstore. Jefferson Park resident Chelsea Banks is a regular customer and her son, just starting to learn to read, is among those sitting in on the weekly Saturday book readings.
“It’s absolutely needed around here,” Banks said. “It’s a place where people can gather and support the community. It’s the extra piece that solidifies this area as the place to be.”
Banks is one of a growing fan club for managing partner Ben Nockles, who worked with designer Sara Kate to create an open-air, casual feel for the shop.
In the days before the permanent store’s opening, Nockles went to the Central Humane Society and adopted Boz, the shop dog who welcomes customers and is known to cozy up with those who choose to linger for a while.
Nockles is happy with the surprising foot traffic he is seeing come in from Heritage Hills to the north.
His landlord, Brooks, is happy with what appears to be a perfect fit for what was a difficult space to lease.
Down the street, Midtown is home to a German bakery, a barbershop, an optical shop, a stationery and gift shop, clothing shops, restaurants, bars and a coffee shop. One retailer, Fit Circle, was not able to make the transition from a suburban spot in Edmond to operating an urban store.
But so far, the other retailers appear to be doing well.
The importance of Commonplace Books is not just that it fulfills one of the top three desired retailers for downtowners (the other two are a grocery and drugstore).
The location of the store, its connection to historic neighborhoods, the string of retailers to the south and the store’s design make it a key to cementing Midtown as the first to achieve a truly cohesive retail corridor in the greater downtown area.