When I was in high school with fellow Zebra Justin Michael, I never would have dreamed that 19 years later (now you know how old we are), we’d be sitting down talking about the plans for the revitalization of downtown Claremore.
The downtown district has gone through a drastic change over the past several years. With the boutique movement going strong, shops have been opening up and down Will Rogers Boulevard. And with the hiring of new Main Street director Jessica Jackson last summer, the future is looking bright.
Justin and his fiancee, Audrey Buck, are jumping into the Main Street way of life with both feet. It started with the June purchase of the long-vacant Twin Oaks Hotel. The Twin Oaks was built in 1929 and is a 3-story hotel located on the main drag. It’s the tallest building downtown, with the exception of the landmark Will Rogers Hotel. Its 45 (and three half) rooms were last used for lodging in the late 1960s. The first floor has been a variety of businesses, with the last being a pool hall about 15 years ago. Since then, the dust has settled and the towering structure has been left alone. Until now.
The couple has already begun renovation of the building, hauling off multiple loads of junk and trash. They are removing plaster, sweeping floors, and sweating buckets. The plan is to open a fine-dining establishment in downtown Claremore; the Twin Oaks restaurant is scheduled open in late 2017. The farm-to-table concept will be a new one for Claremore. There will be dinner service only, along with a full bar and wine pairings. A culinary expert will be hired to bring that “something special” to downtown. The goal is for the Twin Oaks to be a dining destination, not just for locals, but for all of the area, as well as Route 66 travelers.
The upper two floors will eventually be a boutique hotel with approximately 15 – 20 rooms. (While 45 sounds impressive, some of them are really, really small!)
In the meantime, Justin and Audrey are working on another business venture. Downtown Claremore has several fabulous boutiques for women, but what about the men? Enter The Haberdashery: A Gentleman’s Outfitter. With the relocation of The District on Main this fall, it’s the perfect opportunity for Justin and Audrey to move in and bring modern men’s apparel to Claremore. The shop will also carry leather goods and gifts. (The District is moving across the street to the former Nostalgia Nook location.)
Justin is a Claremore native. He was most recently employed at Baker Hughes as a project manager. He feels that everything he learned from that position gave him the skills and confidence to strike out on his own. With his involvement in Claremore Collective, and hearing what others would like to see in town, he knew this is what he wanted to do.
Audrey is a Tulsa native, and a professional equestrian trainer, rider, and coach. Over the 13 years of her career, she has lived on both coasts, and everywhere in between. Being exposed to so many cultures, she will bring fresh new ideas to both businesses.
Downtown Claremore is on the rise once again. We can’t wait to see what comes next!
-MCM Staffer Ashley,
who is excited for a fancy restaurant!
Also wine.
Justin Michael Audrey Buck Jessica Jackson Lezly Orf The District on Main Claremore Main Street Jake Krumwiede Barton Lee Taylor Robert Melton Amy Gordon Jessica Wilbourn Jessica Peck Travis R. Peck Chelsea Matt Mize Katrina Pope Kathy Glover Cari Douglas Bohannan
Crystal Wood Campbell Allison Delk Tanya Andrews Lisa Rogers Dale Peterson
Awesome job, Ashley May Orf!
Thanks! Hope I got it all right!
We should have FB sites up for both businesses very soon, to document progress and inform the public of important dates.
Yay a good not fast food place! !
I am so excited for Justin Michael and everything else that is happening in downtown! #puttingclaremoreonthemap
Very cool!!!
So exciting!! Love revitalization and the thought of an fine dining establishment in Claremore!!!
Best wishes on the new business.
Taylor Spencer. My link won’t open. Anything exciting?
Sherry Alexander you were right! This is exciting!
Heidi Sandager Weddige do you think Richard would be interested in being THE culinary expert for this new fine dinning restaurant????
Jerry
We have lived in Claremore for 41 years & have watched downtown go from a vibrant & bustling small downtown to vacant buildings, nothing much happening. Slowly, our downtown has emerged from the ashes (figuratively) & has been moving toward it’s glory days, albeit in a modified form. It is an exciting time in Claremore. Best wishes for success to all the entrepreneurs.
I can’t get it to open either.
It’s working on our end? A modern men’s clothing store is moving in. Someone has bought the Twin Oaks and is planning a farm-to-table restaurant and a boutique hotel.
You had me at “farm-to-table”. Justin Michael, you are my new favorite Claremore person!
Yes!
Exciting stuff Justin! We can’t wait to see progress! 🙂
Always proud of my former students who have made a success of their life.
Right? Our thoughts, too!
Very good! Can we steal and put on our site? (With proper credit, of course.)
Soo excited!
This sound exciting ….
Craig Delammermore