Stand Tall, Shop Small for OKC: Plaza District spotlight

Oklahoma City’s Plaza District is located on NW 16th Street between Classen and Penn Avenue. It is home to some of the city’s most interesting retailers and businesses bolstering unique and creative flair. They have art galleries, studios, retail shops, restaurants, performance venues, and other small businesses lining their vibrant commercial street which is surrounded by residential properties. The excitement on 16th Street makes the Plaza District a fun place to live, work, shop, and explore.

On the second Friday of every month, people flock to the district for LIVE on the Plaza, a monthly block party hosted by the community where people can enjoy live music, great food, and shopping. It’s always an enjoyable evening and a great way to learn more about the district’s businesses and people.

According to the district’s interim executive director, Selena Skorman, "It's one of the few places in Oklahoma City that truly adopts a "come as you are" approach. When I walk around LIVE! on the Plaza, and the Plaza District Festival, my heart feels full as I see people being authentically themselves. And feeling celebrated for it. That comes from the business owners and the board members. They've put so much work into ensuring a feeling of fun AND security for all who visit. We know how to make sure everyone has a good time."

Skorman is right about that, as it’s hard not to smile when you make your way down the main street of the Plaza District. Friendly shop owners, bright murals, and joy-instilling business operations could ease the weight of even the most difficult day.

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Chamber Member Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma was one of the first major entities to call the Plaza District home. They paved the way for others to enter the area, bringing in a customer base and serving as a grounding point for the district’s renewal and expansion. At Lyric, individuals can take acting lessons, enjoy comedy, and experience premier productions throughout the year. Few establishments in the state offer the quality of theatre education and production that is exhibited at Lyric.

Jim Reynolds, the managing director at Lyric Theatre, is not only proud of the theatre’s accomplishments and successes, but he also cares deeply for the district. He chooses to support the surrounding businesses, beyond simply for the sake of convenience. He noted, “When looking for a truly unique gift for someone special, the Plaza District is my one-stop shop. Whether I’m looking for a vintage find at Bad Granny’s or Dig It Boutique, or a cool art discovery at DNA Galleries or Folk Life Gift Shop – there are so many options.  Of course, you can’t leave the Plaza without a tasty treat at any number of restaurants and dessert shops. When shopping local, my go-to is OKC’s Plaza District.”

As Reynolds mentioned, one of the best places in the district to find a gift is DNA Galleries. The space originally opened in 2008 by two local artists, Dylan Bradway and Amanda Zoey Weathers. Their goal was to have a space to show their own work and support other artists to show and sell their work as well.

In 2017, Lindsay Harkness bought the space, and she continues the original mission of cultivating a business that celebrates, supports, and fosters the creative minds of our community. She is also an artist who works with primarily black and white photography (you can find her work in the store). Before taking over DNA Galleries she was a traveling photographer, but her care for community and desire to invest in Oklahoma City encouraged her to make a life change, move back, and take on the challenge of operating one of the best places for supporting local art in the city.

Harkness focuses on local artists and small makers in her product selection of stickers, pins, greeting cards, apparel, magnets, books, prints, paintings, and more. “Things may cost a little bit more than a place that doesn’t sell products by small makers, but we need to be able to support people in making a living wage,” she said. During the pandemic, some individuals have become more intentional about considering the value of local and handmade products, which is great for businesses like DNA Galleries.

Despite an encouraging and loyal customer base, the effects of COVID-19 on business were felt by Harkness. “I wouldn’t have been able to make it without the Small Business Continuity Program Grant. When businesses began reopening, we started out by offering appointments to shop in-person and slowly started opening up with pop-ups outside,” said Harkness. “We were one of the first districts to really start doing something when we began our 16^th Street Saturdays in the summer of 2020. There was no way to know what to do, we were just doing what we had to do. COVID reminded me that we have an amazing community here in Oklahoma. People really do care.”

Harkness is not alone in the district in terms of caring for her community. Just across the street, stands BY.E, a clothing boutique with a mission statement that reads, “We strive to create a space for all to feel welcomed and inspired.” Their mission could be easily adopted by the entire district, a place whose encouragement of inclusivity and community goes beyond the all-too-frequent marketing tactics that aren’t always embodied by businesses and brands. In the Plaza District, anyone and everyone is made to feel right at home. In some places, like BY.E, you’ll have the added bonus of feeling like you’ve traveled across the ocean to London or Paris. Their high fashion picks and incredibly clean aesthetic have the essence of the avant-garde, yet you’ll maintain a sense of comfort as their beautifully-dressed staff members greet you with a smile.

“I’ve been designing since I was a kid, that’s how I started. I got more and more into the retail side of it as I got older and started representing other retail brands in 2019,” shared the store’s owner Elyjah Monks. His personal brand is Silent Studios, but he carries a wide variety of apparel, accessories, and home goods in the store, serving any niche.

Dig It Boutique is another great example of a space that truly embodies inclusivity. If you need to find clothing to express your individual style like no other, you must check out Dig It Boutique. The shop is filled with texture and pattern-rich vintage clothing, eccentric sunglasses of nearly every shape and size, and a selection of boots that will make a statement with any choice of attire.

Their owner, Amanda Martinez, previously served as Chamber Member American Fidelity’s assistant vice president of marketing and communications. In 2017, she decided to make a career shift and opened Dig It. She sources products from local artists and small vintage shops around the state. Her main customers are teens, college students, and individuals with lively fashion sense. Dig It’s social media accounts do a good job of displaying their products and style. “We don’t ever use models, we use real people. If you look at our social media, you’ll see photos and videos of our adorable customers,” said Martinez.

In addition to the locations above, the Plaza District offers a wide selection of shopping opportunities for practically any need. Thrive Mama Collective is a modern baby boutique with birth and parenting wellness education offerings. They also have midwifery, doulas, postpartum concierge, prenatal education, and other services to support wellness surrounding parenthood. Along a similar track of wellness, SolareABOUT is a minimalist apothecary that creates a unique line of organic skincare products in addition to their natural candles, loose leaf tea, and other tools for self-care.

It’s not just the retail shops that break beyond the norm in the Plaza District. You’ll have to reimagine the stereotype you’ve set for coffee shops when you enter NEON, a new concept cafe that more closely resembles a night club or upscale laser tag venue than your local roastery. You can sit inside and enjoy the futuristic feel of the cafe’s highlighter-like lighting or enjoy a sunny day under their covered patio with a cup of their top-notch coffee or a tropical fizz beverage.

When hunger strikes, you aren’t far from several delicious options lining the street. Empire Slice House is owned by the same company as NEON, Chamber Member 84 Hospitality. They serve up tasty New York Style pizza by the slice or by the pie. Their lunch special is an easy go-to, which includes a fresh daily slice, crisp half salad, and drink all for nine dollars. Food restrictions are no issue at Empire Slice House with their delicious vegetarian and gluten free options.

Another fun pizza place in the district is Up-Down, which is more than a restaurant. It’s a great spot for those eager to unleash their inner kid—cue the memories of Chuck E Cheese and Incredible Pizza. They have a selection of more than 70 arcade games that only cost a quarter, an extensive craft beer selection, and, of course, delicious craft pizza.

If you’re simply looking for really good food, check out Lua for tasteful Mediterranean small plates or Chamber member Mexican Radio for a cheerful place to munch on a taco with friends. The Press offers comforting recipes that will make your southern roots sing in happiness with every bite. New State Burgers is the district’s burger joint, and yes, they have a couple of veggie-friendly options. You won’t be disappointed at New State if you want hip, funky, and flavorful. As if that’s not enough to make your stomach rumble, The Mule’s grilled cheese is a must-try. You won’t find a better grilled cheese in town (shhh…don’t tell your mama). But let’s be real here…is there anything better than melty cheese and toasty carbs?

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In the Plaza District, there’s no shortage of tasty treats for the sweet tooth in your life. Check out Roxy’s Ice Cream Social for an ice cream float, indulgent sundae, or a melt-in-your-mouth cookie sandwich. They have sorbet and vegan options for anyone with dairy-free preferences. Pie Junkie is another incredible option for satisfying your palette for sweetness. They made decadent homemade pies daily and regularly rotate their flavor selection based on season and fresh ingredient availability. You can purchase a slice of Pie Junkie heaven by dropping into their shop or choose to order ahead if you want to confirm availability of a full pie or savory take and bake meal. Peach raspberry crumble, lemon cream, drunken turtle, pecan, key lime, s’mores, strawberry diner, southern banana cream…you get the picture, their pies are to-die-for.

One of the most feel-good sweet shops in Plaza is the district’s snow cone stand, Sasquatch Shaved Ice. Yes, you’ll feel good when you cool off with the fresh taste of their Wonder Woman, P. Swizzle, Orange Blast, or Snuffaluffagus-flavored icey treats, but their “feel good” goes beyond the initial satisfaction of a tasty refreshment. They are a nonprofit that employs teens from the Classen Ten-Penn neighborhood who come from low-income backgrounds. In addition to job training, each employee gets a checking and savings account with Chamber Member Oklahoma’s Credit Union and Sasquatch Shaved Ice matches their employees’ savings dollar for dollar to support their higher education and career goals to support their long term success. In the event you’re still not sold, Sasquatch Shaved Ice has the largest flavor selection in the world with 112 individual flavors, 234,248 possible combinations, and 14 toppings to choose from.

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As you make your way from shop to shop, eatery to café throughout the Plaza District, it will be hard to miss their impressive murals. The rotating mural project in the district is a project managed and produced by the Oklahoma Mural Syndicate. In 2015, with the introduction of the Plaza Walls Gallery, the district became the first mural district in the state. Each year, the walls are repainted with fresh murals, giving both new and established artists the opportunity to showcase their work in a high-traffic destination.

“The Plaza District is a gem in the City’s Commercial District Revitalization Program. With over 20 years of investment and cultivation by a committed group of stakeholders, these few blocks have been transformed into a unique and vibrant arts and entertainment hub that feels local while attracting a wide variety of visitors. It is known for its eclectic mix of small businesses owned by creative entrepreneurs, its colorful and ever-changing art walls, and exciting events like the annual Plaza Festival or Monthly Live on the Plaza that draw thousands for food, music, and shopping,” said Donna Cervantes, associate planner at the City of Oklahoma City. “The Plaza is a shining example of what makes OKC special and how local businesses play a vital role in the revitalization of our neighborhoods.”

Join us in supporting local by looking out for the latest district highlight on VeloCityOKC.com, using the hashtag #ShopSmallForOKC, and following @okcchamber on social media to get the latest updates on the campaign.