I haven't been to the Riverwalk in a while but plan to go this weekend. I went on Google and the only sites I found either don't come up or seem to be out of date. Does anyone have a list of the current restaurants and bars at the Riverwalk?
Quote from: OpenYourEyesTulsa on August 09, 2011, 03:36:19 PM
I haven't been to the Riverwalk in a while but plan to go this weekend. I went on Google and the only sites I found either don't come up or seem to be out of date. Does anyone have a list of the current restaurants and bars at the Riverwalk?
As of today? No.
I think they should have a weekly column in the Jenks Journal indicating what businesses will be opening and closing each week.
Ouch!
There's the Riverwalk Grille, Los Cabos, Melting Pot, Gina and Giuseppe's, Cigar Box, and I believe The District is still open if you like the gang-banging thug scene.
Other than that, I'm unsure. That was according to my daughter who is out there far more than I am.
I've not been in a very long time and I don't mean this in a mean or snarky way.
Is the Riverwalk worth making plans to go visit?
Quote from: OpenYourEyesTulsa on August 09, 2011, 03:36:19 PM
I haven't been to the Riverwalk in a while but plan to go this weekend. I went on Google and the only sites I found either don't come up or seem to be out of date. Does anyone have a list of the current restaurants and bars at the Riverwalk?
Try this, I think it's done by the Jenks Chamber
http://riverfrontsouthok.com/
Quote from: swake on August 09, 2011, 03:47:52 PM
Try this, I think it's done by the Jenks Chamber
http://riverfrontsouthok.com/
And it links to this; http://www.riverwalkcrossingjenks.com/ (http://www.riverwalkcrossingjenks.com/)
However it does list:
•Los Cabos
•The Melting Pot
•Gina and Guiseppe's Italian
•Twisted Tilt
•Cigar Box
•The Midnight Rodeo
What happened to the boat bar? Lemme guess... FAIL boat?
Quote from: Conan71 on August 09, 2011, 04:04:23 PM
What happened to the boat bar? Lemme guess... FAIL boat?
It was open a few weeks ago when I was at the theater
Quote from: Conan71 on August 09, 2011, 03:44:42 PM
Ouch!
There's the Riverwalk Grille, Los Cabos, Melting Pot, Gina and Giuseppe's, Cigar Box, and I believe The District is still open if you like the gang-banging thug scene.
Other than that, I'm unsure. That was according to my daughter who is out there far more than I am.
Funhouse just shut down.
Quote from: Gaspar on August 09, 2011, 04:18:05 PM
Funhouse just shut down.
Dang, I meant to explore its bowels.
Quote from: Conan71 on August 09, 2011, 04:04:23 PM
What happened to the boat bar? Lemme guess... FAIL boat?
Funny thing is that the Cigar Box is now packed almost every night. It's also about a 60/40 mix of both men and women smoking cigars. That guy seems to have developed a loyal following.
There was another Jenks FB (Facebook, not the other FB) reunion last weekend. I noticed a bunch of people sent regrets on the event page. I suspect they are the ones who can't stand a smoky cigar bar either.
I'm sure whoever buys Riverwalk at a bankruptcy auction in a few years will update the websites.
The history or Riverwalk is such a sad story to me and a primer for how to screw up a good idea. Some good lessons:
*Lies, half-truths and spin sold to gullible people are not good business tactics. Short term wins.
*Assumptions start with a three letter word. At the time only "big" ideas promoted by "important" people were being entertained as everyone assumed the river was finally going to be developed. It was also RPA's legacy. Aggregate entrepreneurial growth like what is happening downtown is better.
*Egos unrestrained. A reminder that success with one set of skills in one area is not a predictor of success in all areas.
*Timing. Business cycles occur. Plan for the troughs and the peaks will carry you.
*Outsiders. They are valuable friends because they are likely to tell you the truths that old friends won't. At least listen.
*The fallacy that the high demographics of Jenks (and other high wealth locations) guarantee success. They always fancied themselves the Utica Square of the South. Their marketing reflected that but the reality didn't.
Its still a viable project though. New owners, correct positioning and good timing will resurrect it.
Jerry Gordon is a big idea guy but doesn't seem to live in economic reality or seems to time his developments poorly. I admire his vision but he does have an over-inflated opinion of himself.
He built a small center out around 71st & Garnett for an Easy Rider's franchise store about 12-13 years ago. He put over $3mm into that project when he could have had a more sustainable business model by renovating something in the Brady District for less than 1/2 the cost and it wouldn't have been "manufactured" cool. Other problem was, he was selling custom bikes for more money than this market wanted to spend.
I'm not sure how he thought a bunch of small retail with a few anchor food/beverage tenants was a winning plan. Boutique type businesses can be incredibly transient. There was really no reason to go out there during the daytime to go shop when there are options closer to where people live and work. Most of the boutique stores were either closed at high traffic times, or people weren't interested in buying high end furniture or trinkets after getting their drink on.
Quote from: sgrizzle on August 10, 2011, 08:20:14 AM
I'm sure whoever buys Riverwalk at a bankruptcy auction in a few years will update the websites.
I understand it is already under contract with positive changes expected.
The mix of stuff was never quite enough or quite right to make it a place where you could shop. I can find just as interesting, or more interesting, places to eat closer to home. There wasn't enough shopping to make it a place to go shop, or even think, "Well lets go there, we can have a bit to eat and then look at some of the shops". The combo of entertainment/food/shopping/walking would have worked if the place had just finished up but otherwise there wasnt enough "walk" there, nor shopping. Basically as it was it was just another place to go eat or see a movie, and again I can do that anywhere.
I had my hopes up with phase 2, A. It would add enough to make the "Walk" part more enjoyable, you could drive there and have a nice little stroll before or after eating or shopping or a movie and that would have made it worth the trip. B. It could have made it more of a place to shop because there could have been more shopping.
But then they decided to build waaaay down on the opposite end and I wasn't going to walk that gap and it wasn't worth driving to that other small part. I don't think he realized that for this type of development the "walk" component was just as important as having places to eat. That far off section added absolutely nothing to the Riverwalk. If the whole strip ever gets built out like originally planned, I think it will be a success. I do give him cudos for starting it and making it a quality development.
Quote from: Vision 2025 on August 10, 2011, 09:23:42 AM
I understand it is already under contract with positive changes expected.
I hope so
Quote from: Townsend on August 09, 2011, 03:46:54 PM
Is the Riverwalk worth making plans to go visit?
I am going to Los Cabos and then bar hopping over there. I did that over a year or so ago and had a lot of fun but it all changed so I wanted to see what is there now. It is good to know the boat is still there. Is that Twisted Tilt place still there?
Quote from: sgrizzle on August 10, 2011, 10:59:15 AM
I hope so
Maybe they'll fix that "back of a strip mall" view from the parking lot.
I saw that the River Walk Melting Pot was dropped from this year's Wine Spectator's restaurant award for wine lists.
Quote from: DTowner on August 10, 2011, 04:53:57 PM
Maybe they'll fix that "back of a strip mall" view from the parking lot.
If I we're driving the bus the entrance would change (boring), there would be significant out parcels developed, the "gap" would be filled, there would be remote parking available, the 91st Street reconstruction would be pushed, there would be more festivals and music (drive visitors numbers up) and I would beat the City leadership about the neck and shoulders until they extend a proper trail all the way to the Turnpike and then West to the trail to Elm. But that is just my humble opinion as a Jenks resident.
Quote from: Vision 2025 on August 11, 2011, 05:56:10 PM
and I would beat the City leadership about the neck and shoulders until they extend a proper trail all the way to the Turnpike and then West to the trail to Elm. But that is just my humble opinion as a Jenks resident.
And extend the west bank trail south from Turkey Mountain to the Riverwalk..
Quote from: SXSW on August 11, 2011, 11:22:51 PM
And extend the west bank trail south from Turkey Mountain to the Riverwalk..
Challenging but worthy!
I stopped into Branson landing this morning before heading back to Tulsa from a business trip and I have to say..its AWESOME! Its 100000 times better than the river walk concept and makes river walk REALLY look GHETTO! I couldn't believe it..while I know Branson is a "destination" and Jenks isn't that..I still think not alot of thought went into the whole "lets make a stone cave thing on the front" and "amphitheater" with the stores facing the parking lot! CRAZY!!! Just my rant :)
Quote from: zstyles on August 12, 2011, 05:03:01 PM
.I still think not alot of thought went into the whole "lets make a stone cave thing on the front" and "amphitheater" with the stores facing the parking lot! CRAZY!!! Just my rant :)
That's why at the Jenks Riverwalk, the stores don't face the parking lot.
The parking lot side of Riverwalk is UGLY. Maybe the experience could be improved by hiding the parking lot side with trees and other plants tall enough to hide the buildings.
As long as I'm spending other people's money, add a buffer area for the service area and block off pedestrian access through the ugly area. Put in an automated "train" like some airports have for going from one terminal to another. The train could tie the north and south ends together too.
Speaking of the Riverwalk, I just heard a radio commercial for "Key of G" jazz club (or is it restaurant) next to (and owned by) Gina & Guiseppe's?
Anyone know anything about it?
I couldn't find squat on the intertubes.
Quote from: BKDotCom on August 18, 2011, 08:37:12 AM
Speaking of the Riverwalk, I just heard a radio commercial for "Key of G" jazz club (or is it restaurant) next to (and owned by) Gina & Guiseppe's?
Anyone know anything about it?
I couldn't find squat on the intertubes.
Sounds nice. Better hurry and go there before. . .
Quote from: Gaspar on August 18, 2011, 09:06:05 AM
Sounds nice. Better hurry and go there before. . .
Gina & Guiseppe's has been open from the beginning. I'm thinking they're managed just a wee better than most riverwalk tenants and the development as a whole.
Quote from: BKDotCom on August 18, 2011, 09:13:22 AM
Gina & Guiseppe's has been open from the beginning. I'm thinking they're managed just a wee better than most riverwalk tenants and the development as a whole.
They are by Los Cabos and get their over flow. Great management :P
Yes, Los Cabos and G&G are both in the Riverwalk.
Apparently the only reason anyone else gets any business is due to Los Cabos overflow
Wouldn't the Melting Pot get the overflow first?
G&G must be everyone's 3rd dining choice
Maybe that's why nothing south of G&G seems to stay in business.
Quote from: BKDotCom on August 18, 2011, 09:32:41 AM
Yes, Los Cabos and G&G are both in the Riverwalk.
Apparently the only reason anyone else gets any business is due to Los Cabos overflow
Wouldn't the Melting Pot get the overflow first?
G&G must be everyone's 3rd dining choice
Maybe that's why nothing south of G&G seems to stay in business.
I'm pretty sure you have to want to pay $$$ to dip stuff in cheese to go to the melting pot. G&G is the closest "normal" family casual dining place.
In the beginning there was a hamburger joint immediately next door to Los Cabos.
As we all know, it takes more than location to run a successful business.
Quote from: Gaspar on August 18, 2011, 09:06:05 AM
Sounds nice. Better hurry and go there before. . .
Jazz clubs located anywhere in Tulsa do not last long. I don't see why the River Walk would break this trend.
Quote from: DTowner on August 18, 2011, 11:34:14 AM
Jazz clubs located anywhere in Tulsa do not last long. I don't see why the River Walk would break this trend.
That, I agree with.
Quote from: sgrizzle on August 18, 2011, 09:38:46 AM
I'm pretty sure you have to want to pay $$$ to dip stuff in cheese to go to the melting pot. G&G is the closest "normal" family casual dining place.
The $$$ was never our issue, it was the 3 freaking hour tour.
Quote from: Townsend on August 18, 2011, 12:17:42 PM
The $$$ was never our issue, it was the 3 freaking hour tour.
Yes, I went once. Perhaps I wasn't working 5 skewers at once... But it took for damn ever.
Quote from: CharlieSheen on August 18, 2011, 01:13:07 PM
Yes, I went once. Perhaps I wasn't working 5 skewers at once... But it took for damn ever.
I go out to eat so I don't have to cooked my own food. Paying $$$ for the privilege seems doubly dumb.
Quote from: DTowner on August 18, 2011, 04:11:17 PM
I go out to eat so I don't have to cooked my own food. Paying $$$ for the privilege seems doubly dumb.
Eh, it has its charm. I was raised with it so it brought back memories.
The issue I think that came up for us was there were 10 of us and eventually even 10 good friends run out of stuff to talk about.
"So, how 'bout them bears?"
I bet they don't even have Velveeta and Rotel.