Archive for the ‘Tulsa Businesses’ Category

Utica Square, midtown Tulsa's finest shopping centre

In midtown Tulsa, we refer to Utica Square as "The Square," as it's been our beloved shopping center since the early 1950s.

It's an outdoor shopping centre and resembles a village of yesteryear with many landscaped gardens, fountains and multiple chiming clocks. It's an enjoyable experience to just visit "The Square" on a nice afternoon and walk past the shops, visiting with friends you will surely meet there. 

The Square fits in nicely with our midtown Tulsa community because of its charm, history and aging trees - it feels like part of our neighborhood. Many shops and restaurants are locally-owned - there is a great mix of our hometown favorites and national chains.

Utica Square, midtown Tulsa's finest shopping centre

You can do everything at Utica Square in one trip. You can purchase groceries, wine, fill your prescriptions, buy greeting cards and purchase a birthday gift. Of course, you can dine in many fine restaurants, shop for clothing and register for your bridal or baby shower.

Utica Square has become much more than a place to shop. During the summer, hundreds of midtown neighbors head to The Square every Thursday evening for "Summer's 5th Night," where we enjoy a free outdoor concert, bring our picnics and catch up on neighborhood news.

An annual event not to be missed is "Lights On!" when over 700,000 Christmas lights throughout the shopping centre are turned on Thanksgiving evening. Santa is there to kick off the holiday season and we sing holiday carols. 

I'm not sure how many years we've enjoyed "Art in the Square," but it's a free event where local artists showcase their work along the walkways at the Square. I actually stumbled into this event many years ago while having breakfast at the Wild Fork with a girlfriend. Art in the Square is scheduled this year for Saturday, October 2, 2010, from 10am to 5pm.

If you are moving to midtown Tulsa or want to discuss your midtown Tulsa real estate needs, call me - I'll meet you for coffee at The Square!

Russell Stover Candies photo in Utica Square compliments of Keith Wondra, Flickr Creative commons http://www.flickr.com/photos/historian77/3835197953/

Originally Posted at: Midtown Tulsa Real Estate - Lori Cain

Harvard Meats, locally-owned business in midtown Tulsa

It’s important to us in midtown Tulsa to support locally-owned businesses, which is one reason we patronize Harvard Meats, a butcher off of Cherry Street at 15th & Harvard. And what’s even better about having a local butcher around the corner is that they sell other locally made grocery items such as breads, vegetables, fruit and cheeses.

The owner, Duke Dinsmore, responded to the midtowners’ request for affordable organically raised meat products – so yep, their stuff is organic meats and locally produced selections. THAT’S the midtown service we appreciate!

And their prices are reasonable – actually lower than Target and Wal-Mart who have begun to offer organic items.

Harvard Meats, locally-owned business in midtown Tulsa

I dropped by the other evening to pick up chicken breasts for dinner and picked up fliers of their current specials while I was there. You can purchase combination packages of meats and produce, but if you don’t like the package as is, you can mix and match equal dollar amounts. So if you don’t want okra, you can get extra corn, and you can switch out pork chops for ground chuck.

They offer a 10% discount to ALL seniors – anyone over the age of 55. They also offer the same discount to city professionals, such as policemen, firemen, military and EMTs/paramedics. How cool is that?

Harvard Meats makes it super easy to pay – major credit cards and food stamps are accepted.

Less than half a mile from the University of Tulsa, Harvard Meats is truly a grocery and authentic butcher within walking distance for many in the heart of our midtown Tulsa neighborhoods.

Do stop by soon and visit their web site to see all that they offer!

Originally Posted at: Midtown Tulsa Real Estate – Lori Cain

The historic Kennedy Mansion Bed and Breakfast: downtown, midtown Tulsa

Midtown Tulsa is fortunate to have several attractive bed & breakfast facilities, but my pick for Mother’s Day weekend was the historic Kennedy Mansion Bed and Breakfast. The mansion was built in the early 1920s during Tulsa’s first oil boom and the many details honoring the decade can be admired here.

Although the Kennedy mansion is in Tulsa and minutes north of the downtown BOK Center and other Tulsa downtown attractions, it is actually in Osage county – probably the very eastern boundary of Osage county.

Since my Mother and step-father live in Pawhuska, the capital of Osage county, of course I made reservations for them in the “Osage Room.” From there, you can enjoy the sunset view of the Osage Hills from your room’s private terrace – simply breathtaking.

The mansion itself is magnificent, from the majestic staircase to beautiful wood floors, high ceilings with pristine crown molding and details of the home decorated in antiques and European flair.

The grounds by themselves are quite stunning – surrounded by ornate wrought-iron fencing and elegant entrances, you travel over the bricked drive to park under the porte-cochere. Beyond the entrance are stately trees, beautiful rose bushes and a small pool.

Because this weekend adventure was our gift to my Mother for Mother’s day, I dropped by the mansion before my parents’ arrival to leave fresh flowers, chocolates and wine in their room. There was a festive wedding reception going on in the grand ballroom, so we got to meet several wedding guests and enjoy in their celebration.

My husband Demetrius and I picked my parents up for dinner that evening after enjoying a few moments admiring the view from their terrace.

The historic Kennedy Mansion Bed and Breakfast: downtown, midtown Tulsa

Proprietors of the Kennedy Mansion, Françoise and Darell Christopher, could not be more gracious hosts, and Françoise is a most excellent cook. Demetrius and I returned Sunday morning to enjoy Françoise’s home-made savory crepes and Quiche Lorraine with the parents. Oh my – all of the food was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The breakfast alone is worth returning for! And, I was too busy eating to take a photo of the fabulous food!

So, now that we’ve experienced our first “stay” in the historic Kennedy Mansion Bed and Breakfast, I can promise we will be back. Although Demetrius and I live perhaps eight minutes south of the mansion, I believe we are already planning a romantic weekend get-away.

Do visit the historic Kennedy Mansion Bed and Breakfast web site, and please tell Darell and Françoise that Lori, Deme, Patti and Don sent you!!

Lori is a residential Realtor serving the greater Tulsa area, and specializing in midtown Tulsa real estate. Please visit Lori’s web site, LoriCain.com or call 918-852-5036.

Brookside Body Works Day Spa: midtown Tulsa pampering on Brookside

Dona Kidder, spa owner, gives the most awesome and professional hot stone massage, and her prices are more than reasonable. Your first visit for a 1-hour massage is $35. Weekly or bi-weekly massages are $40; monthly massages are $45 and regular price is $50. Facial massages are $35 and total body wraps are $50.

If you don’t know the healing benefits of a professional hot stone massage, you’ll understand after this Licensed Massage Therapist is done with you!

Brookside Body Works Day Spa: midtown Tulsa pampering on Brookside

My massage SO helped my neck and shoulders from the many hours I spend at my computer. Dona’s atmosphere in her spa is very pleasing and I encourage you to contact her. You DESERVE this treat!

Dona’s location is on Brookside, which is how Tulsans refer to a particular strip of Peoria Avenue in midtown Tulsa. Her address is 3720 South Peoria Avenue Tulsa, OK 74105 and phone is (918) 282-4260. 

Lori is a residential Realtor serving the greater Tulsa area, and specializing in midtown Tulsa real estate. Please visit Lori’s web site, LoriCain.com or call 918-852-5036.

The Salon at Philtower: Amanda and Ashley style the new within heritage of the old

What better place for my friends Amanda Woolman Burn and Ashley Thompson to open their new salon, but in the lobby of the grand Philtower building – actually in the same corner where a “Barber Shop” existed for many years.

Amanda is a nail technician, offering manicures and pedicures; Ashley is a hair stylist. The two have worked together in various shops over the years, but finally ventured out on their own in one of Tulsa’s finest and most renowned examples of architecture.

Of course, their salon is called quite simply, “The Salon at Philtower.”

Amanda and Ashley’s patrons will follow wherever they go, and for some, navigating the one-way streets and downtown parking has been a challenge. But, once you enter the lobby of the magnificent Philtower building, it absolutely takes your breath away.

Built in 1927, the Philtower Building in Tulsa, Oklahoma, represents the late Gothic Revival style embellished with Art Deco details. Located on Boston Avenue, Tulsa’s premiere architectural corridor, it was conceived of as the link between the then-proposed Union Train Station to the north and the soaring Boston Avenue Methodist Church to the south. Features in this amazing 24-story building include marble travertine, brass, mahogany walls and fabulous chandeliers.

The building included on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Salon at Philtower: Amanda and Ashley style the new within heritage of the old

Downtown Tulsa seems poised to undergo a renaissance of sorts, a return of the relevance that characterized it in the heady days of the Oil Boom and the decades that followed. Recently downtown has seen a revitalization of the Brady Arts District and the passage of a proposal to build a world-class arena, among other exciting developments. The Philtower converted floors 12-20 to private luxury residences, creating Tulsa’s first ever mixed-use high rise.

I can’t write about Tulsa architecture without mentioning local artist, Celeste Vaught, who is on

a journey of painting Tulsa architecture in her new Series, Tulsa, Brick x Brick. Celeste has painted the entrance of the Philtower Building, included in this post. Celeste’s paintings highlight the heritage of Tulsa Architecture and can be found on her web site.

If you’re looking for a great hair cut and style, manicured fingers and toes and a huge piece of Tulsa’s rich history, look no further than the Salon at Philbrook. Call for an appointment: 918-808-0943 or friend Amanda on Facebook.

Lori is a residential Realtor serving the greater Tulsa area, and specializing in midtown Tulsa real estate. Please visit Lori’s web site, LoriCain.com or call 918-852-5036.

Lori Cain’s Preferred Vendor List – the absolute “best of the best” in midtown Tulsa real estate

I blogged the other day about the Listing Sales Book that I include in my homes for sale to include a list of home improvements but I forgot to mention including my list of vendors in the book. I can advertise that there is fresh paint and refinished hardwoods, but I am equally proud of who painted those walls and who refinished those hardwoods.

Jane Halliwell, owner of Prime Painting and Restoration has been in business in Tulsa forever and has painted almost every home in midtown Tulsa. People know that her work is quality work. My hardwood floors were refinished by Gil DeLozier, and his family’s business has been around for an even longer period of time. Gil learned from his father, and now Gil’s son works with him – between the three, they probably have refinished every midtown Tulsa home’s floors.

Renowned Tulsa arborist, Greg Cole, trimmed my trees so that they will heal and grow and be a part of Tulsa’s future. I didn’t just pay some wandering handyman to trim my trees, I hired someone who knows everything about trimming trees to maintain their health and longevity.

Now, these vendors don’t have web sites to which I can link, because most of their business is word of mouth or referrals. That’s why I keep my “Preferred Vendor” list on my web site, LoriCain.com. As I work through transactions in midtown Tulsa real estate, I meet the best of the best. When I’m pleased with their work, they get added to my Preferred Vendor list.

Found several places on my Preferred Vendor list is my savior repairman, Gary Ellis. Almost all of my clients keep Gary’s number programmed in their phone, because Gary can fix ANYTHING or he knows who can.

Lori Cain’s Preferred Vendor List – the absolute “best of the best” in midtown Tulsa real estate

My clients and friends are good about checking my Preferred Vendor list before calling me for a reference. I was at the lake once checking FaceBook, and my client posted that her air conditioning had broken (yikes – it was over 100-degrees that day!). Five minutes later she posted that she found a repairman on my Preferred Vendor list and that he was on his way. An hour later she reported that AC was operational again! And, I never lifted a finger.

If you’re looking for the “best of the best,” please visit my Preferred Vendor list – it’s a resource that I share. You’ll find my favorite architect, remodeler, carpenter, electrician, landscape architect, plumber — even my favorite caterer. My list is ever evolving, so check back often. If you have a vendor you would like me to try out, let me know!

Lori is a residential Realtor serving the greater Tulsa area, and specializing in midtown Tulsa real estate. Please visit Lori’s web site, LoriCain.com or call 918-852-5036.

Tulsa Architecture – Art Deco captured in paintings, brick by brick

A Tulsa artist and blogger you must meet is Celeste Vaught. She is painting highlights of the heritage of Tulsa Architecture, and you can follow her work on her blog, Tulsa, Brick x Brick.

A short drive through downtown Tulsa will quickly explain her fascination with the art deco architecture – and Celeste is doing an amazing job of capturing the beauty of the elegant buildings for which many of us share fond memories.

Buildings she has painted thus far include:

1. Atlas Life Sign
2. Claud’s Hamburgers
3. Phoenix Cleaners
4. Fairgrounds Pavilion
5. Guaranty Laundry Building (Page Moving and Storage)
6. Boulder on the Park
7. Bill White Chevrolet (4th and Elgin)
8. 320 South Boston Building
9. Philtower Entrance
10. Tulsa Monument Company Building (Benchmark Monument Company)
11. Will Rogers High School
12. The Brook
13. City Veterinary Hospital
14. Warehouse Market Building

Tulsa Architecture – Art Deco captured in paintings, brick by brick

Celeste came up with an idea to further enhance the interest of the “Tulsa Brick x Brick” series by inviting others to share their memories and experiences involving Tulsa places. If you’re fond of a particular building or place in Tulsa, have a story to share or just want to say what the building/place means to you and why you like it, drop by Celeste’s blog and write a note.

My favorite painting by far is the one of the Atlas Life Building, which is where I worked in the early 1980s after college graduation. I am trying to decide if I should share the story of sneaking to the building’s rooftop where my boyfriend and I would spend romantic moments while viewing the downtown lights. It was a special and magical place.

New pieces from Celeste Vaught’s “Tulsa Brick x Brick” series are on display at Pearl Gallery at 1201 East 3rd Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma and can be seen Tuesday through Friday 11-5, Thursdays til 7 and other times by appointment.

For those of you who love Tulsa architecture and our historical buildings in downtown and midtown Tulsa, do visit Celeste’s blog to see her awesome paintings. Oh, and I’ve included her painting of the Brook on Peoria Avenue – aren’t the colors brilliant?

Lori is a residential Realtor serving the greater Tulsa area, and specializing in midtown Tulsa real estate. Please visit Lori’s web site, LoriCain.com or call 918-852-5036.

FirsTitle & Abstract Services, Inc. – the Tulsa Oklahoma Title Company that ROCKS!

My guess is that most home buyers and sellers don’t know what all their title/closing company does for them, but REALTORS know that they earn every penny and in many most cases pull miracles out of their hats – always at the 11th hour!

My experience with FirsTitle & Abstract Services in Tulsa has ALWAYS been positive. I told Paty Seratte one time that I was going to get a trophy for her team with the inscription, “the lean, mean, lien-busting team!”

When an abstract is updated, you just never know what you’re going to find. What appeared to be a clear title four years ago may not be so clear today.

• Maybe a lien from a ten year-old lawsuit against your ex-spouse that you never knew existed?
• Maybe a title problem that was missed by the prior title examiner or attorney?
• Maybe a survey showing the city sewer in a different location than when the previous owner purchased the property?

Many times we go to closing with limited knowledge of the many hurdles surpassed during escrow.

Recommending FirsTitle to my clients is easy for me, because I know that they go above and beyond to ensure that the experience of the buyer, seller AND REALTORS involved is as pleasant and stress-free as possible.

Honestly, these ladies must live for challenges. What would normally put a Realtor, buyer or seller in a panic mode seems to always be resolved in a calm, professional and timely manner by the ladies at FirsTitle. My great appreciation goes to Paty Seratte, Kathy Griffith, Vickie Bargas, Kim Morrow and the many others working behind the scenes to ensure Tulsa home buyers, sellers and Realtors a smooth and successful closing.

FirsTitle & Abstract Services, Inc. – the Tulsa Oklahoma Title Company that ROCKS!

Serving Tulsa since 1984, FirsTitle’s personal and professional service can not be beat. I recommend them highly and of course, you will find them on my Preferred Vendor list – available on my web site as a resource for past, current and future clients! If you’re looking for a professional mortgage lender or banker, they’re listed there as well!

Lori Cain is a residential Realtor with Chinowth & Cohen Realtors serving the greater Tulsa Oklahoma area, including midtown Tulsa, Owasso, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Sand Springs and Jenks. Please visit Lori’s web site, LoriCain.com or call 918-852-5036.

None of us know the full story yet - only what we've read in the local paper. A Tulsa trucking company, Arrow Trucking, SHUT DOWN yesterday and sent office employees home with a cardboard box holding their belongings.

The real tragedy is that they left approximately 1,500 truck drivers out on the road with no way to return home. They cut off the driver's credit cards which would allow them to re-fuel, so they can not make it to their destination to drop off their load or make it home for the holidays. Few had the $600+ needed to personally fuel their trucks.

I "heard" about this travesty yesterday early morning and read about it in the newspaper today.

When I got home this afternoon, I posted on FB, inquiring what was done to get the drivers home, and someone sent me a link - sure enough, a FaceBook page had been set up to help the stranded drivers. I immediately went to TweetDeck and found messages coming in from across the country. People were offering their homes, meals and cash - posting their travel schedules (for their personal holiday trips) and offered to assist getting drivers closer to their destination.

The response has been overwhelming and it has been heartwarming to read the responses and genuine offers of assistance.

It looks like the majority of truck drivers have received assistance -- and another trucking company, Swift Trucking, has given their drivers permission to assist the distressed drivers home - HUGE blessing.

The power of community is awesome and particularly appreciated in this horrible circumstance - men and women suddenly unemployed and stranded away from home two days before Christmas. And thank God for the power of Facebook and Twitter to organize their safe return.

I am truly speechless over this out-pouring of kindness.

Lori Cain is a residential Realtor with Chinowth & Cohen Realtors serving the greater Tulsa Oklahoma area, including midtown Tulsa, Owasso, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Sand Springs and Jenks. Please visit Lori’s web site, LoriCain.com or call 918-852-5036.

Anner’s Wellness Works – Organic Groceries in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Anner’s Wellness Works – Organic Groceries in Tulsa, Oklahoma -  My friend Anner owns an organic food coop at 19th & Boston – Tulsa’s First Organic Food Coop – just a few blocks from our house. I think everybody in Tulsa knows Anner! She’s owned restaurants and groceries over the years and is known for her commitment to organically-grown foods, nutrition and her amazingly cheerful nature.

Clients pay a nominal annual fee to be members of the coop and can purchase weekly “share” bags filled with fruits, veggies, spices, cheeses and meats. Anner e-mails notices out as to what will be in next week’s share bags and we place our orders – pick-up is on Thursdays.

In business with her husband, Ed, and partner, Jill, Anner provides recipes to go along with whatever may be included in the weekly share. If you don’t know HOW to cut up a butternut squash, Anner will include directions. If you’ve never cleaned and cut up a pomegranate, Anner will explain that to you also.

Anner’s Wellness Works – Organic Groceries in Tulsa, Oklahoma

The coop is very homey for members. If you drop by to pick up some of Ed’s homemade salsa or Jill’s super garlic hummus and nobody is there – help yourself and leave a note. Jill takes care of the billing and she’ll make sure you get charged – but they still go by the honor system. Also available are staple items such as canned tomatoes and beans to save you a trip to another grocery – and she even carries lotions and some basic home remedies to help make this a one-stop shopping experience for you!

The most recent addition to the coop is the labyrinth — which is an ancient and symbolic walking meditation. You enter the labyrinth at one point, follow the path and come back out where you started – if you walk with purpose and concentration, it settles your mind and promotes relaxation. The center of the labyrinth is planted with creeping thyme and Anner intends to add Corinthian mint and other aromatic herbs that will solicit peaceful and relaxing mental images.

Anner is training us to be more green and to bring our own bags to transport our goodies. She also sells these amazing bottles (that are dishwasher-safe) to fill with our purified water, so we’re not buying plastic bottled water. She promotes environmentally-sound ideas to us constantly, while encouraging us to treat our bodies with organically-grown, nutritious food.

And for those of sometimes too busy to prepare healthy meals, plan ahead and Anner will cook for you in her “Monday Meals” family offer. She’ll let you know the monthly menu in advance – all meals are $30, serve four and include a green salad. For those of us without kids to feed, she offers “Grown Up Tuesday” meals which have an upscale twist & taste and serve two for $24.

August 2009 menu is:

• August 3rd: Mac and Cheese with sausages
• August 10th: Pot Roasted Chicken with carrots and potatoes
• August 17th: Italian Lasagna
• August 24th: Turkey Cassoulet
• August 31st: Anner’s Ever-Famous Meat Loaf with carrots and potatoes
• Tuesday, August 4th: Basa fish with herbed summer squash and salad – $24 – serves 2

Anner’s Wellness Works – Organic Groceries in Tulsa, Oklahoma -Visit Anner’s web site, or better yet, drop by and say hello. She will pour you a cup of tea and give you a big hug when she first meets you – I guarantee it! Please tell Anner that Lori sent you – Ed delivers free salsa to me for every referral!

And please do visit my web site for a complete list of my Preferred Vendors!

Contact: Mon – Fri 9am till 6pm; 1915 S Boston Avenue, Tulsa, Ok 74119; (918) 592-4421; e-mail: anners@organictulsa.com; web: http://www.organictulsa.com

Lori Cain is a residential Realtor with Chinowth & Cohen Realtors serving the greater Tulsa Oklahoma area, including midtown Tulsa, Owasso, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Sand Springs and Jenks. Please visit Lori’s web site, LoriCain.com or call 918-852-5036.