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Talk About Tulsa => Development & New Businesses => Topic started by: dayzella on February 13, 2008, 12:46:25 PM

Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: dayzella on February 13, 2008, 12:46:25 PM
In late November of last year, the Tulsa World had a little snippet on a grocery/coffee shop opening in the neighborhood of Crosbie Heights on the outskirts of downtown.  

I send in a survey from the owner's website, and yesterday I received a note back saying that the grocery will open on March 1.

Here is the article copy:
quote:
Grocery to open in Crosbie Heights
DAVID R. MILLION / Tulsa World
Scott Smith (left) plans to open a small grocery store in the Crosbie Heights Neighborhood before the end of the year. Lucio Benavides, a local artist living in east Tulsa, is helping with renovation of the building.


By DAVID MILLION World Staff Writer
11/21/2007

Lucio Benavides is familiar with the small neighborhood grocery store idea that Scott Smith is creating in the Crosbie Heights Neighborhood near downtown Tulsa.

"I grew up in Milwaukee's inner city where we had many little grocery stores run by mom and pops. I loved going in and buying a bag of candy for a dime," Benavides said.

Benavides, an artist, is helping Smith with the renovation of a 900-square-foot building at 306 S. Phoenix Ave.

In return, Smith will help Benavides by displaying some of his artwork when Blue Jackalope Groceries & Coffee opens in December.

"I plan to display local artists' work," Smith said. "I'm building my store around the idea of locally grown food and good nutrition. We'll be another outlet for local farmers you see at farmers markets during the summer."

Rita Scott is president of Sustainable Green Country, an organization that promotes locally grown food.

"We need more of these stores," she said. "They provide fresher, more nutritious food. Scott Smith is helping create relationships between local farmers, local sellers and Tulsa area consumers.

"He's also helping to create a sustainable, walkable community in his neighborhood,
an area underserved to access of locally grown food."

Smith predicts his customer base will be a mix.

"I believe 75 percent will be those in the immediate area with only their feet for transportation who'll do most of their grocery shopping here," he said. "The rest will stop in for between-supermarket trips."


The business website (it is mostly survey):
http://www.bluejackalope.com/

Scott Smith
Proprietor
BlueJackalope Groceries and Coffee
306 S. Phoenix Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74127
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: Rico on February 14, 2008, 08:27:37 AM
It has been mentioned that Brady has something similar in the works..

Off of Latimer and Denver.
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: dsjeffries on February 14, 2008, 10:19:42 AM
I took their quiz yesterday... Hope it helps!
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: TheTed on April 06, 2008, 02:55:07 PM
Bump.

Anyone heard anything on this place? I attempted to visit during the business hours listed on their website and they were closed.

It's frustrating trying to spend money downtown and being stymied because business owners just close early some days. It seems to happen to me all the time.
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: Aa5drvr on April 06, 2008, 04:21:01 PM
Another goofball idea.  
The owner has ties to local media and hyped it through them.  I would challenge the health dept to keep tabs on them.
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: godboko71 on April 06, 2008, 04:49:26 PM
TheTed is you like I will let you know next time I see it open, I live about 3 blocks away so I see it often .
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: OurTulsa on April 06, 2008, 11:01:27 PM
He's still working on permitting.  He wants to open within the next month.  He'll be in front of the Board of Adjustment on the 22nd of this month for a variance of the parking requirement.  Seems like a good guy.  I love little businesses like this.  I hope it serves those already in CH well and draws others who will fix up the hood.
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: cannon_fodder on April 07, 2008, 08:44:00 AM
Why are so many new businesses having permitting issues?  That's what held up/is holding up the new brewery too.  

Is the city making it hard(er) to do business?  Making it easy should be their #1 goal.
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: tulsasignnazi on April 07, 2008, 11:30:44 AM
quote:
Originally posted by OurTulsa

He's still working on permitting.  He wants to open within the next month.  He'll be in front of the Board of Adjustment on the 22nd of this month for a variance of the parking requirement.  Seems like a good guy.  I love little businesses like this.  I hope it serves those already in CH well and draws others who will fix up the hood.



The City KILLS businesses like Jacklope because of the off-street parking requirement in Title 42 (//%22http://cityoftulsa.org/ourcity/ordinances/Title42-13.asp%22).  

Scott, if you lose, I'd take the City to court.  The City staff administering the code has NO training to administer its own off-parking rules.  The requirements themselves have no basis in the promotion of public welfare.  In fact, it is the antithesis.  Donald Shoup, The High Cost of Free Parking, Planners Press, 2005.
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: Rico on May 30, 2008, 09:52:31 AM
open?
[;)][:D]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm could be........
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: inteller on May 31, 2008, 07:16:14 PM
quote:
Originally posted by cannon_fodder

Why are so many new businesses having permitting issues?  That's what held up/is holding up the new brewery too.  

Is the city making it hard(er) to do business?  Making it easy should be their #1 goal.



it is easy if you are part of the mid town money belt, hard if you are just a nobody wanting to start a business.
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: godboko71 on May 31, 2008, 09:50:34 PM
Yes it is open, I will post the hours a bit later tonight when I have the mailer.
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: Rico on June 01, 2008, 09:47:25 AM
quote:
Originally posted by godboko71

Yes it is open, I will post the hours a bit later tonight when I have the mailer.



(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y179/rico2/Jackl.jpg)

Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: godboko71 on June 01, 2008, 08:22:10 PM
Mon- Fri 7am-7pm
Closed 11am-2pm

Sat-Sun 7am 0 2 PM

Closed Wenesday

Located
306 S Phoenix
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: dayzella on June 03, 2008, 06:46:51 AM
Here's a copy of the email that was sent out by Scott:


Dear Y'all,

The store is now O-P-E-N.
Or, as we say in the grocery world, JackalOpen...

I'm featuring local produce (Buy Fresh, Buy Local) this week:
Romaine Lettuce
Spinach
Onions-purple and green
Arugula
Turnips
Swiss Chard

I invite you to come for a visit. The store inventory is at ~65%.  Your
suggestions will be most welcome...

Best regards,

Scott Smith
Proprietor
BlueJackalope Grocery & Coffee
306 S. Phoenix Ave

582.5344-store phone
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: AngieB on June 03, 2008, 07:51:46 AM
Downtowners might go by during their lunch hour if they weren't closed 11-2 every day. I probably would.

Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: Gaspar on June 03, 2008, 08:27:32 AM
quote:
Originally posted by TulsaMINI

Downtowners might go by during their lunch hour if they weren't closed 11-2 every day. I probably would.





Why would a downtown store close from 11-2 ?  
Thats bad business!
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: Conan71 on June 03, 2008, 12:18:21 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Gaspar

quote:
Originally posted by TulsaMINI

Downtowners might go by during their lunch hour if they weren't closed 11-2 every day. I probably would.





Why would a downtown store close from 11-2 ?  
Thats bad business!



Things that defy logic, like Urban Gardens on 15th being closed on Sundays.
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: OKC_Shane on June 03, 2008, 07:12:00 PM
Awesome concept.
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: Rico on July 18, 2008, 10:50:04 AM
Yet another follow-up (//%22http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectID=11&articleID=20080716_11_A9_hCOMMU527261%22) on an idea that could shape the Tulsa of tomorrow......
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: PonderInc on July 18, 2008, 11:01:30 AM
Nice article.  Go Scott!
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: Double A on July 18, 2008, 11:35:31 AM
This is awesome. Infill as it should be. If it were up to me you'd be awarded Da Mares entrepreneurial spirit award so this pedestrian scale community corner store concept could be expanded to other food deserts across our fair city.

Crosbie Heights rocks, BTW! This is an area to watch, going through a great organic transition driven by community involvement. It's conveniently located within short walking distances of Tulsa's first Bark Park, the Arena, and the River Parks/Trails. This is an area to watch. It's going through a great organic transition driven by community involvement that shows areas can prosper while preserving their historical charm, character, scale and qualities that make them their own unique neighborhoods. Go North, Young Tulsans!
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: AVERAGE JOE on July 18, 2008, 02:12:03 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Double A

This is awesome. Infill as it should be. If it were up to me you'd be awarded Da Mares entrepreneurial spirit award so this pedestrian scale community corner store concept could be expanded to other food deserts across our fair city.

Crosbie Heights rocks, BTW! This is an area to watch, going through a great organic transition driven by community involvement. It's conveniently located within short walking distances of Tulsa's first Bark Park, the Arena, and the River Parks/Trails. This is an area to watch. It's going through a great organic transition driven by community involvement that shows areas can prosper while preserving their historical charm, character, scale and qualities that make them their own unique neighborhoods. Go North, Young Tulsans!


+1

Coalition between Crosbie Heights, Owen Park and Brady Heights is a good thing. All three are great neighborhoods with character and soul, but affordable.
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: Double A on July 18, 2008, 02:40:23 PM
quote:
Originally posted by AVERAGE JOE

quote:
Originally posted by Double A

This is awesome. Infill as it should be. If it were up to me you'd be awarded Da Mares entrepreneurial spirit award so this pedestrian scale community corner store concept could be expanded to other food deserts across our fair city.

Crosbie Heights rocks, BTW! This is an area to watch, going through a great organic transition driven by community involvement. It's conveniently located within short walking distances of Tulsa's first Bark Park, the Arena, and the River Parks/Trails. This is an area to watch. It's going through a great organic transition driven by community involvement that shows areas can prosper while preserving their historical charm, character, scale and qualities that make them their own unique neighborhoods. Go North, Young Tulsans!


+1

Coalition between Crosbie Heights, Owen Park and Brady Heights is a good thing. All three are great neighborhoods with character and soul, but affordable.



True Dat. Mad props to the TNA. Respect from the L.G. Peace out.
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: Conan71 on July 18, 2008, 02:59:02 PM
A good friend of mine lives within 1/2 a block of the store.  It's been nice to see the gradual cleaning up and updating in the area over the last five years or so.  We jokingly refer to him as the "Mayor of Crosbie Heights"

He's made more than a few calls to code enforcement or mayor's action line when douchebags do douchebag things on or around his block.

I think the area is an exceptionally good buy right now.  

Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: Double A on July 18, 2008, 03:13:36 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Conan71

A good friend of mine lives within 1/2 a block of the store.  It's been nice to see the gradual cleaning up and updating in the area over the last five years or so.  We jokingly refer to him as the "Mayor of Crosbie Heights"

He's made more than a few calls to code enforcement or mayor's action line when douchebags do douchebag things on or around his block.

I think the area is an exceptionally good buy right now.  





I've got a buddy who bought over there(riverfront property) before it was exceptionally good, when it was ridiculously cheap. Smart dude!
Title: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: mrB on September 05, 2008, 08:43:49 PM
quote:

excerpt from Jackalope e-Flyer for 9/5/08

Joe Cappa just called to let me know about a piece he did for the Oklahoma Travel Network. He
shot some video down here a short time ago about the BlueJackalope. See it at:
www.oklatravelnet.com/#/Video/20812
(//%22http://www.oklatravelnet.com/#/Video/20812%22)



Good statewide publicity for local small business in Tulsa.

Title: Re: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: Townsend on March 18, 2011, 02:31:58 PM
QuoteThis is officially a Crosibie Heights Neighborhood Association Meeting which will include the discussion of the possible future use of the old Blue Jackalope Building. Everyone interested in the betterment of the neighborhood and the future of the Blue Jackalope Coffee and Grocery, please attend this meeting. All ideas needed as to how to revive the store or to morph it into something else that is equally beneficial to the Crosbie Heights Area and the Tulsa Community as a whole. Thanks so much! Hope to see you there on Saturday, March 19th at 10:00am!

I was unaware the store had closed.
Title: Re: Blue Jackalope Grocery and Coffee
Post by: Conan71 on March 18, 2011, 03:26:18 PM
Looks like people still meet in front of there when I ride by.