Downtown Edmond Transforming Into Trendy Destination

Several existing Oklahoma City restaurants are in the process of opening new locations in downtown Edmond, as are several brand new businesses. In fact, according to Janet Yowell, Executive Director, Edmond Economic Development Authority, over the past 20 years more than $30 million in private investments have been made in downtown Edmond, $3 million of which came in 2019 alone. The results are transforming the formerly sedate downtown area into one that attracts those interested in experiencing a more hip and exciting atmosphere. This is causing some folks who once drove to Oklahoma City for a night on the town to now stay in Edmond instead. The Mule, a locally owned “hot melts and cold beer” establishment known for its gourmet melted and grilled cheese sandwiches in the very popular and hip Plaza District in Oklahoma City, has now opened its second location at 16 S. Broadway in downtown Edmond. Two blocks away at 23 W. 1^st St, the Railyard food hall opened last year. Already home to Gogi Go Korean BBQ, Hott Wings, Oak City Pizza, and Cities Ice Cream, Railyard is now also home to the recently opened 1884, a cocktail, wine and cigar lounge. Frenzy Brewing Company is introducing Frenzy, Edmond’s first brewery and taproom in a nearly 100-year-old building on Broadway this May. The owner, Matt Conner, has said that once open, Frenzy will be a great place for patrons to bring in food from nearby restaurants or to even have food delivered. Across the street, those with an athletic bent are now able to free climb at Blocworks, at 104 S. Broadway. Plus, Nashbird, which currently serves Nashville style chicken at a spot on N.W. 9^th in OKC and was recently voted to have the best chicken sandwich in Oklahoma on eatthis.com, will be opening a second location soon at Park 17 in Edmond. A mixed-use development on the northwest corner of 5^th and Littler in downtown Edmond, Park 17 -- when finished in the near future—will have over 5,000 square feet in retail space and 17 multi-family units. Clearly the additions to and transformation of downtown Edmond are well and truly underway. It will be interesting to see what else the future holds for the downtown area of a town once considered little more than a bedroom community for individuals who work in OKC, but which is now firmly establishing itself as an entertainment destination in its own right.