Diners at Classen Curve experiencing a bit of ‘northern exposure’ this spring

It's not every day you see igloos in Oklahoma, much less during the warmer months when temperatures can melt ice within a matter of minutes. That may be why so many heads have been turning recently around the Classen Curve area in Oklahoma City.

It is not a mirage they are seeing, but rather several igloo-like pods that have popped up this spring just outside of the Café 501 restaurant, one of several businesses located in the Classen Curve shopping center and a member of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. The “igloos” are providing a safe, comfortable and one-of-a kind dining experience for guests who may still feel a little uneasy about eating inside a restaurant.

“I think attitudes are relaxing a little bit about social distancing and about COVID in general. But given the opportunity to be with your loved ones and in an insulated little space, I think it still has a lot of value right now,” said Shannon Barghols, marketing director for fellow Chamber member Washington Prime Group, owner of approximately 100 properties across the U.S., including Classen Curve. The company also owns other retail properties in the Oklahoma City area such as The Triangle at Classen Curve and Nichols Hills Plaza.

Fireside in the Curve features seven temperature-controlled igloos for outdoor dining for up to six people. Diners can reserve an igloo for $50, which does not include the cost of food or drinks. Each igloo features comfortable seating, rustic décor and plenty of ambient lighting. There are also several nearby firepits diners can cozy up to while seated in the many Adirondack chairs sprinkled around the outdoor space.

“It has been a great partnership with Washington Prime Group to launch this concept at Café 501 on Classen Curve and giving us the ability to introduce a new experience with our customers in a socially distanced environment,” said chef Jeffery Holloway of Holloway Restaurant Group, owners of Café 501. “The support from the public has been outstanding, and we look forward to the summer months as we transition to perhaps an even different dining experience.”

Barghols said the idea of igloo-style dining has been successful at some of their other properties across the country and so they wanted to try out the concept here in Oklahoma City.

“Café 501 has always been a great partner for us. Anything we pose, they are on top of it, wanting to help and be our partner. We presented the idea to them that we would build it if they would run it, and they embraced it wholeheartedly,” Barghols said.

And business is booming.

Barghols said the response has been so good, they are going to keep doing it for as long as Café 501 is still interested. If all goes well for the summer, the plan is to bring the igloos back in the fall and get ready for a strong Christmas.

“People are just so excited to do something different,” Barghols said. “It gives you a place to go that is outside, still in a neat and fun environment, surrounded by the igloos, especially if you are there at night and have the lights going."

With the success of Fireside in the Curve, it is no wonder that management is looking into other possibilities for the space as it gets deeper into 2021. But rest assured, whether it is spring, winter, summer or fall, the folks at Classen Curve and the other Oklahoma City retail properties owned by Washington Prime Group will continue to provide their guests with a safe, innovative and comfortable environment to enhance their dining or shopping experience.