Finally the main tenants of Plaza Court have been officially announced- we had already heard rumors of Irmas and McNellies. Now we know that local restaurant Irma's will open in Plaza Court, including a sidewalk cafe area, McNellie's Pub of Tulsa will occupy two stories, and an upscale French bakery Prairie Thunder will import high class ovens from France and "complement" Brown's Bakery across the street. A pub, a restaurant, and a bakery- fairly diverse and they will all draw on nearby neighborhoods for support.
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Mid-Town building to house Irma's II, pub, French bakery
By Steve Lackmeyer
Business Writer
Banta Development on Wednesday announced anchor tenants for MidTown's Plaza Court Building -- a mix they hope will transform the area into a new downtown destination.
Irma's II, James E. McNellies Public House and Prairie Thunder all are scheduled to open this winter. The Plaza Court Building is one of more than 30 properties bought by developer Greg Banta in the past year as part of his planned MidTown Renaissance project.
"What we really want are local restaurateurs, not national chains," said David A. Ortenburger, president of Banta Realty Advisors. "We've turned down more tenants than we've accepted. Plaza Court is the heart of our development, and it has got to be right."
One tenant, Irma's, is well known to local burger lovers. Lines are the norm at the existing restaurant at NW 63 and Western Avenue.
"I was there yesterday and there was still a wait when I left," Ortenburger said.
Irma's owner Chris Lower said he and his partners see MidTown as an ideal spot for a second location.
"The area has been challenged for the last few years, but with what Greg (Banta) is doing, I have every expectation it's going to come back in a big way and we want to be part of that."
Lower said the second Irma's will include up to 15 outdoor patio tables and possibly an expanded dinner menu targeting nearby Heritage Hills residents.
"We're close enough to downtown I think we'll get a lot of their business," Lower said. "And I think Heritage Hills has traditionally been under-served when it comes to restaurants."
Lower promised the second location will match the same quirky old fashioned diner feel at NW 63 and Western.
"Irma will be in the building," Lower joked.
Lower and Ortenburger share excitement over the second restaurant anchor, James E. McNellies Public House. The Irish bar and grill will occupy two floors at the Plaza Court.
While the first floor will include a neighborhood pub and restaurant, the second floor will include a live music stage, shuffle board and other amusements.
"They're very successful in Tulsa," Ortenburger said. "They have over 60 beers on tap, excellent food, and a really comfortable atmosphere."
Ortenburger said the third tenant, Prairie Thunder, will be a bakery that he said will complement, not compete, with Brown's Bakery across the street.
"It will have very high end ovens coming from France," Ortenburger said. "They will offer pastries and different types of loaves of bread. There are no ovens like this in the state of Oklahoma."
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Mid-Town building to house Irma's II, pub, French bakery
By Steve Lackmeyer
Business Writer
Banta Development on Wednesday announced anchor tenants for MidTown's Plaza Court Building -- a mix they hope will transform the area into a new downtown destination.
Irma's II, James E. McNellies Public House and Prairie Thunder all are scheduled to open this winter. The Plaza Court Building is one of more than 30 properties bought by developer Greg Banta in the past year as part of his planned MidTown Renaissance project.
"What we really want are local restaurateurs, not national chains," said David A. Ortenburger, president of Banta Realty Advisors. "We've turned down more tenants than we've accepted. Plaza Court is the heart of our development, and it has got to be right."
One tenant, Irma's, is well known to local burger lovers. Lines are the norm at the existing restaurant at NW 63 and Western Avenue.
"I was there yesterday and there was still a wait when I left," Ortenburger said.
Irma's owner Chris Lower said he and his partners see MidTown as an ideal spot for a second location.
"The area has been challenged for the last few years, but with what Greg (Banta) is doing, I have every expectation it's going to come back in a big way and we want to be part of that."
Lower said the second Irma's will include up to 15 outdoor patio tables and possibly an expanded dinner menu targeting nearby Heritage Hills residents.
"We're close enough to downtown I think we'll get a lot of their business," Lower said. "And I think Heritage Hills has traditionally been under-served when it comes to restaurants."
Lower promised the second location will match the same quirky old fashioned diner feel at NW 63 and Western.
"Irma will be in the building," Lower joked.
Lower and Ortenburger share excitement over the second restaurant anchor, James E. McNellies Public House. The Irish bar and grill will occupy two floors at the Plaza Court.
While the first floor will include a neighborhood pub and restaurant, the second floor will include a live music stage, shuffle board and other amusements.
"They're very successful in Tulsa," Ortenburger said. "They have over 60 beers on tap, excellent food, and a really comfortable atmosphere."
Ortenburger said the third tenant, Prairie Thunder, will be a bakery that he said will complement, not compete, with Brown's Bakery across the street.
"It will have very high end ovens coming from France," Ortenburger said. "They will offer pastries and different types of loaves of bread. There are no ovens like this in the state of Oklahoma."
