Progress 2021

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The Shawnee News-Star | Z Saturday-Sunday, June 26-27, 2021

• New • Improved • Moved • • Closed • Coming Soon! •

A

s we look at the growth and development over the past year, it’s been a year of both change and uncertainty with momentum.

Progress has continued in many ways in the Shawnee area, including new construction of several businesses and other improvements or projects in the works or being planned. While the COVID-19 pandemic did impact many area businesses and there were some closures this

past year, the buildings left behind also can bring more opportunities for future growth. In this section, the News-Star takes a look at some of the projects and changes over the past year, from new construction projects and businesses, to expansions, relocations and much more. And as 2021 progresses, watch for more stories and updates in the News-Star and www. news-star.com.

park THE outdoor for hiking, RAVINE ATVs, camping

By Tina Bridenstine

When Becca Black and her family bought land in the Macomb area last year, she said the unique terrain gave her the idea for what they should do next – and that was opening an outdoor park. The Ravine is an 80-acre outdoor park located about 15 miles south on Highway 177, and it offers hiking, off-roading, cooking out, primitive camping, or even just lying back in a hammock and enjoying the scenery. Becca opened the park with help from her husband,

Shannon, and daughter, Kenna, after buying the land in May of 2020. After cutting trails and getting the land ready, the park opened in October of 2020. Currently, Becca said, they are one of the smallest outdoor parks for off roading, though she thinks the land is so interesting that it compensates for the small size. But also, The Ravine fills a unique niche in that it isn’t only for off roading, but includes hiking, camping, and family-friendly activities. The Ravine is located at 40557 Highway 59B, Macomb. Summer hours

are from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Mondays and from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Park entry closes at 8 p.m. The park is closed Tuesdays through Thursday. Cost is $5 per person, with children ages 12 and younger getting in for free. Camping is also $5 per person. Offroad vehicles are $15 per vehicle. ATVs, dirt bikes, side-by-sides, Jeeps, trucks, quads and mountain bikes are welcome. No dogs are allowed. For more information, follow The Ravine on Facebook, or visit www.ravineadventure. com.

Good Neighbor Friendship House In November, the Good Neighbor Friendship House — in a partnership between the Absentee Shawnee Housing Authority (ASHA) and Community Renewal of Pottawatomie County — held its grand opening by offering private tours of the community space and adjoining staff home.

Community Renewal’s Friendship House program is designed so each facility functions as a hub for resources and support in the neighborhood it serves.

At the corner of Bryan and Main, the facility is now the second Friendship House serving Shawnee.

Michael Phillips, Community Renewal’s Director of Campus Programs, lives in this new location with his wife, Jessica, and son Ben.

A Community Renewal staff member lives onsite with his/her family to provide consistent care for that area.


2Z  |  Saturday-Sunday, June 26-27, 2021  |  SHAWNEE NEWS-STAR

PROGRESS 2021

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3Z  |  Saturday-Sunday, June 26-27, 2021  |  SHAWNEE NEWS-STAR

PROGRESS 2021

WINTCO’s Sonic franchise At the northwest corner of Wallace and Harrison, construction was completed for a new office building at 1106 N. Harrison for Sonic franchise owner John Winterringer. The site at 1106 N. Harrison was formerly the home of a decadeslong Sonic Drive-In restaurant. Winterringer’s local franchise group, WINTCO, completed relocation from downtown on Main Street into the new office building sometime in early Spring. “The building is an office for our local franchise,” he said. Sonic Corp. did not move its headquarters here, he said.

Sweet Pea 4D Ultrasound and Newborn Photography Boutique A new downtown business, Sweet Pea 4D Ultrasound and Newborn Photography Boutique has added its services to Shawnee, at 106 E. Main.

New SSM Health clinic openED in May By Tina Bridenstine SSM Health Medical Group opened a new clinic location May 3 at 4651 N. Harrison in Shawnee. The clinic, described as a 33,000-squarefoot ambulatory medical building, houses several family medicine providers on the first floor, as well as therapy services and Express Care that was previously located at Medical Park Drive. On the second floor, the clinic offers women’s health services with specialty offices for OB/GYN providers. SSM Health Medical Group continues to offer services at its locations on Kethley, near SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital – Shawnee, as well.

Groov’in Records:

Squid Ink In February of 2020 Shawnee resident and tattoo artist Jason Baker opened his shop Squid Ink which he hopes will support both tattoo artists and other local artists in the area.

collectible vinyl, novelty items and more

According to Baker, he has been a tattoo artist since 2006 and decided to open a business to support not only his fellow tattoo artists but also other artists such as t-shirt designers, painters, jewelry makers and more.

By Tina Bridenstine

Squid Ink is located at 1127 N. Kickapoo Ave and open Tuesday to Saturday noon to 9 p.m.

Groov’in Records is located at Plaza East near the intersection of Independence and Harrison. It specializes in collectible vinyl, used and new vinyl, music and movie collectibles, apparel, board games and what owner Rick Weston described as 1980s retro culture.

For more information visit squidinkmerch.com.

Weston and wife, Alisha, opened the store in the spring of 2021. The store also buys records, though Weston added that some albums are worth more than others, and how much albums are worth also depends on the condition of the vinyl album and the case. They focus on selling high quality albums, he said, so there are also some he can’t buy due to factors such as poor condition. Groov’in Records is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, and is closed on Mondays. It is located at 722 E. Independence, Suite H, in Plaza East (the shopping center located just across Independence from Save-ALot).

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4Z  |  Saturday-Sunday, June 26-27, 2021  |  SHAWNEE NEWS-STAR

PROGRESS 2021

Joe Cooper Dodge Dealership to open July 1 The new Joe Cooper Dodge Dealership located on Mall Drive will open its doors to the public July 1. According to General Manager Jason Valentine, there will be food trucks at the grand opening. Valentine said the new dealership will be more customer friendly as it will have triple the amount of space, a customer lounge, a window bay where people can see their cars being worked on and much more parking.

Xpress Wellness Urgent Care opened in May By Tina Bridenstine Shawnee saw the opening of a new urgent care facility when Xpress Wellness Urgent Care began welcoming patients in May.

He explained the Dodge location currently on Harrison will move to this new facility. Additionally, Valentine said it’ll be nice to have all the Joe Cooper dealerships including Dodge, Ford and Chevy in the same location. “Just one turn in is all it takes,” Valentine said.

The 3,600-square-foot facility opened May 24 and offers urgent care for non-life-threatening conditions for patients of all ages. Conditions such as cold, flu, sprains, cuts, allergies, infections and more can be treated at the urgent care, as well as physicals administered. It also offers services for employers who need drug and alcohol testing, physicals, spirometry or work-related injuries. To facilitate quick testing and rapid diagnosis, the facility will offer on-site services including computerized x-rays, lab testing and EKG. It will also offer testing for COVID-19. Most insurance plans will be accepted at the facility, but self-pay options are also available for uninsured patients.

Little Rascal Flea Market and Grill

Xpress Wellness Urgent Care is located at 4296 N. Harrison in Shawnee.

Little Rascal Flea Market and Grill has opened at 1814 N. Harrison.

The clinic is open for in-person and virtual visits from 8 a.m. to 8 pm. Mondays through Saturdays and from 1 to 7 p.m. on Sundays.

According to the business Facebook post, an open house was held in November. “Hours are 8 a.m. to 11a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.,” the post reads, and is open on weekends.

For more information about Xpress Wellness Urgent Care, visit www.xpresswellnessurgentcare.com.

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5Z  |  Saturday-Sunday, June 26-27, 2021  |  SHAWNEE NEWS-STAR

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OBU alums open Guitar Vault in downtown shawnee By Tina Bridenstine When OBU graduates Karly and Tyler Kupper opened the Guitar Vault, Karly said they wanted to evoke the feeling of a 1960s guitar shop. Since then, they’ve created a space to buy instruments, but also where members of the community can take lessons or even just enjoy a jam session. The couple opened the store,

located in the Aldridge building in downtown Shawnee, in September of 2020. They carry guitars, mandolins, ukuleles, banjos, drum kits, and violins and can order in more. Guitar Vault also carries used instruments, as well as consignment sales, and sells instruments online as well. Karly and Tyler both give lessons to people of all ages

as well, and the first lesson is free. Lessons are available any time during business hours, and there’s a place to book lessons on the Guitar Vault Facebook page.

Guitar Vault, located at 20 E. Ninth St., Suite 110, is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays.

The business also hosts jam sessions from 7 to 9 p.m. on Fridays, and everyone is welcome – from musicians who want to join in to those who want to listen.

In addition to selling various instruments an accessories, they also offer lessons, jam sessions, and rehearsal space. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @guitarvaultok.

Whiskey Wings Whiskey Wings set up shop this Spring at the site formerly known as Benton’s Cafe, at 126 N. Broadway in downtown Shawnee. Owner Demont Burdine also owns Whiskey Wings locations in Meeker and Prague, as well as a food truck that makes its rounds at various sites in the county. Over the holiday season at the end of 2020, Benton’s Cafe owners had closed shop for good, after a long-planned retirement. The restaurant was in business for 71 years.

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6Z  |  Saturday-Sunday, June 26-27, 2021  |  SHAWNEE NEWS-STAR

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Wallace Avenue Baptist Church changing locations By Tina Bridenstine Wallace Avenue Baptist Church is making some changes this year as it gets ready to move from the building at Wallace and Chapman to a new location that once housed Stage. The church has been located at 601 W. Wallace since is founding in 1927, but its future home will be at 805 W. Ayre St., just off Kickapoo Spur. “In the past couple of years, we have been growing out of our old building,” Pastor K. Blake Martin said. “We are in desperate need for more parking and seating area for current and future growth.” To facilitate that growth, the church has purchased the former Stage building and is in the process of getting it ready for the move, which will include completely demolishing the inside for a new build and retrofitting, Martin said. Once in the new building, he said they look forward to having more space for their church, including a fellowship hall that will be able to hold almost 300 people, an area for children, and a building that is ADA accessible. The church plans to have an openingday worship service once the building is ready. No dates have been set yet, but Martin said they hope to be in the new space by late summer or fall.

C&L Creative offers custom design options By Tina Bridenstine Lainie Baxter and Courtney Nelson opened C&L Creative recently, bringing a new custom apparel and graphic design business to Shawnee. Baxter and Nelson’s store opened in March of 2021 in the Bison Crossing Shopping Center. The business does custom printing for schools, businesses, churches, sports teams, fundraisers, special events and more. No minimum order is required, which the owners say makes them different from most printing shops. Baxter and Nelson have about 20 years combined experience in the business, and say they can customize a wide variety of items, including bags, shirts, blankets, cups, pillow cases, socks, hats and even the bottom of baby shoes. C&L Creative is located at 3922 N. Kickapoo Ave., Suite 1 in the Bison Crossing Shopping Center. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.

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7Z  |  Saturday-Sunday, June 26-27, 2021  |  SHAWNEE NEWS-STAR

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Gordon Cooper Technology Center completed its new Marty Lewis Public Safety Center. Photo provided by Matt Stephens.

Julie McCormick is the next superintendent of Gordon Cooper Technology Center. Photo provided by Matt Stephens.

South Rock Creek built a safe room containing four new classrooms and a new bathroom for third and fourth graders. Photo provided by Mike Crawford.

Pottawatomie County area schools complete, will start various construction projects By Elisabeth Slay

August of 2020.

Various school districts in Pottawatomie County completed different construction projects throughout the 2020-2021 school year.

According to interim Superintendent Marty Lewis, funds from the bond will be used to build a new 38,000 square foot elementary school for third through fifth graders and to remodel the competition gym into a new activity center.

Tecumseh Public Schools aimed to complete four major improvement projects last year. According to Superintendent Robert Kinsey, three of those four projects were finished and one is close to completion. “The projects that were completed included roof repair at Tecumseh High School, resurfacing of the track and resurfacing of the tennis courts,” Kinsey said. He explained the project that is almost complete is the district’s new Agriculture Education Barn. “We hope to have final inspections completed there by mid-June,” Kinsey said. While Tecumseh finished projects last year, Bethel Public Schools recently began two projects from the $18.4 million bond issue the district passed in

Bethel also received a new superintendent named Matt Posey who will take over the position July 1.

According to Superintendent Mark Bowlan, projects funded by the bond will begin in fall of 2021 and are expected to be completed in fall of 2022.

In addition to Bethel, Maud also began and hopes to complete projects from the district’s $715,000 bond election which passed in March of 2021. According to Maud Superintendent Cindy White, the funds from the bond will be used to add a safe room to the gym and it will include new boys and girls locker rooms, a new weight room and a new classroom. Additionally, the funds will be

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The educator hopes the other projects will be finished mid to late fall. Like Maud, Grove School District hopes to complete projects from its latest $8.1 million bond issue which was passed in February of 2021.

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White said the architect is working on the new safe room and the air conditioner will be installed this summer.

Lewis said the district plans to break ground on both of these projects in August which will hopefully be completed in fall of 2022.

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Funds from this bond will be used to build a new early childhood center and a new gym. The South Rock Creek school district also hopes to begin acquiring new buses which are part of its recently passed transportation bond issue. According to Superintendent Mike Crawford, the district is expecting the buses to be purchased around September

but they have to go out on bid. In addition to the buses, Crawford said the district finished building a new safe room facility in December of 2020. The educator explained the safe room contains four new classrooms and a new bathroom for third and fourth graders. Gordon Cooper Technology Center also completed its new $5 million Marty Lewis Public Safety Center which many students have utilized. The building was completed in late summer of 2020. The total programs housed in the Public Safety Center include the High School Criminal Justice program, adult Emergency Medical Technician training, the Paramedic program and continuing education courses for firefighters, police officers and emergency medical departments in Pottawatomie, Seminole and Lincoln counties. In addition, the GCTC Board of Education chose Julie McCormick to be the school’s next superintendent.


8Z  |  Saturday-Sunday, June 26-27, 2021  |  SHAWNEE NEWS-STAR

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PROGRESS 2021

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9Z  |  Saturday-Sunday, June 26-27, 2021  |  SHAWNEE NEWS-STAR

SPD headquarters By Vicky O. Misa Though an updated completion date has not been offered, the site for the Shawnee Police Department’s new headquarters is visibly changing shape. The last known estimate for completion was set for January 2021. The site is the former decades-long home of the First United Bank building, which moved after a new larger bank building was completed in town. The SPD is currently stationed in the basement at City Hall. In February of 2020, W.L. McNatt and Co. was chosen for the SPD architect’s project at 912 E. Independence in Shawnee. Among the four submitted bids, McNatt was the lowest base bid — coming in at $2,280,000, plus Alternate No. 1 (for paving), at $163,000. According to the request for bids, the project was designed to create a modern, efficient and functional space for the police department. The remodel involves renovation of the existing building and repurposing the existing drive-thru as a vehicle and evidence area. The project includes replacement of identified HVAC units and replacement of the roof. It also includes site improvement — including the alternate that was accepted, to replace paving at the north parking lot. Architectural adjustments include new interior partitions, doors, ceiling, carpet, tile, plumbing fixtures and lighting. Some demolition has been involved, and also a small amount of millwork was expected. Estimated Cost To draw up the plans, TAP Architecture had

PROGRESS 2021

been given an original budget between about $2 million and $2.5 million to stay within the construction costs. A few items were pulled out to stay in that range, TAP Representative Chris Teehee said in November 2019. According to TAP, the estimated cost of the project — before alternates — would be just less than $2 million. Adding in the alternates (north parking replacement, dispatch work stations and a generator), TAP Architecture had tallied the full estimate at around $2,272,500. The Project In November 2019 Teehee walked city leaders through the design. He said one of the needs the SPD had was a secure parking area, so a secured fence line is planned around the back of the property. “Two automatic sliding gates (will be) at the rear of the building, inside the fenced in area,” he said. Teehee also said there will be drop-off availability in a covered parking area. “There was a demand for an outdoor area for the 911 dispatch so they could take a break from sitting there long hours taking calls,” he said. “Another area we took advantage of was the old drive-thru; we enclosed that — we’ve called that the

vehicle inspection bays.” There are four of them that can be locked down, Teehee said. “One is a little larger; it could be used as a workout room for now,” he said. The area closest to the building (former bank window) can be used for dropping off records, he said. “This is the only police department I know of that would have that,” Teehee said. “I think the (SPD) is pretty excited about that.” He said it’s behind bulletproof glass, “so I think it could be a good opportunity for them to use that.” He said the firm wanted to do something to give the building its own identity, something a little bit different. “We introduced this perforated metal with the SPD sign in front of it to kind of give it its own statement, if you will, because it was drastically needing an uplift,” he said. The new space is estimated to be about 26,800 square feet, about four to five times larger than the SPD’s current operation, Teehee confirmed.

South Central Industries The Grove Retirement Community Construction at The Grove Retirement Community is ramping up as structures take shape for the housing addition just south of Shawnee Middle School.

South Central Industries continues to enlarge its campus as construction can be seen along Kickapoo Street near Ninth Street.

A final plat for the community housing plan was approved in October 2018. Applicant Chris Gray, project manager for Crafton Tull & Associates, is constructing a 150-unit multi-family unit community, to be divided into 4-6 unit facilities, according to submitted documents. The development is expected to be single-story units in a gated neighborhood for those age 55 years and up. Amenities such as a clubhouse with workout facilities, safe room and meeting room also are expected at the site.

Tidal Wave Express

There are two private drives leading into the site directly south of SMS’s tennis courts.

On the southwest corner of Kickapoo and Penny, a crew continues work on the Tidal Wave Express, a $1.8 million car wash.

Project developers had to work through some flood plain issues during the platting process.

According to the building permit, the area of the proposed business at the north end of Bison Crossing is 3,638 square feet.

Shawnee Mall still awaits opening of new store By Tina Bridenstine The space formerly occupied by J.C. Penney at the Shawnee Mall has been vacant since last summer, when J.C. Penney stores across the country closed, including the one in Shawnee. In December of 2020, Mathis Brothers announced plans to open three stores in that location: Mathis Sleep Center, Ashley Furniture and a La-Z-Boy store. In a story published in The Shawnee News-Star, Mathis Brothers spokesman Kerry Tramel said the stores were expected to open in spring or early summer of 2021. The store continues to sit vacant, with a J.C. Penney sign adorning the outside, and so far there appear to be no signs of work being done inside. Mathis Brothers has not issued any updates on the status of the stores.

Red Rock Behavioral Health Services At the northwest corner of Grant and Harrison, construction is wrapping up for a new medical building. For decades the site housed Shawnee Memorials, Inc., a headstone and monument business. According to the permit application, property owner The Oklahoma Mental Health Council (dba Red Rock Behavioral Health Services) submitted a deed approval application to combine lots — at 814 E. Grant St., and 1332 and 1336 N. Harrison St. The site is 0.45 acres in size.


10Z  |  Saturday-Sunday, June 26-27, 2021  |  SHAWNEE NEWS-STAR

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11Z  |  Saturday-Sunday, June 26-27, 2021  |  SHAWNEE NEWS-STAR

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Citizen Potawatomi Nation Crews work to construct a building at Iron Horse Industrial Park.

A crew constructs a bridge on Hardesty Road, the first step in widening the road for commercial use.

The site of a new splash pad near the CPN powwow grounds.

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Hardesty Market & Deli moves to new building By Tina Bridenstine After more than 85 years in the same location at Gordon Cooper and Hardesty Drive, a longtime family business made a change this year. Hardesty Market & Deli closed the doors of its original building in February 2021 and opened up at a new location at 613 N. Pottenger. Originally scheduled to open Feb. 2, that date was pushed back a few days before everything was ready to welcome customers. The new location features all of the same things offered before. And, though the new location also has new equipment such as meat counters, there are also some items on display from the old store – including the menu boards and some of the green and white tiles laid at the entrance. Since opening, Hardesty’s Facebook page has informed customers of the occasional availability of fresh shrimp from the Gulf. Hardesty’s Grocery was originally founded in 1934 by Bill Hardesty, who owned the store until about 1956, when his son Murl took over. In 1981, Bill’s nephew Frank Oliver bought the store. He passed away in 2019, and the business is now run by his sons, Grady and Scott Oliver.

Shawnee Public Schools complete projects, will begin new ones

Since the summer of 2020, Shawnee Public Schools has completed various projects that were a part of the district’s 2016 bond election. These projects include enhancements to the Shawnee High School cafeteria, a renovation of the SHS library, SHS security vestibules and upgrades to the SHS baseball concession and restrooms. According to Cherity Pennington, SPS district communications and library services coordinator, there are two remaining projects from the 2016 bond issue that have yet to be completed. Pennington said these projects include safe rooms at Will Rogers Elementary School and a new elementary school along 45th Street. The Will Rogers safe room construction starts this summer.

SHS security vestibule

Pottawatomie County plans to construct new building After five years of saving funds, Pottawatomie County Commissioners began the creation process for a new County Administration Building planned for construction next to the courthouse, which is being designed to embrace older architectural elements with modern styles. According to District 2 Commissioner Randy Thomas, Rand Elliott Architects of Oklahoma City was the firm chosen to design the new administration building. The commissioners approved Rand Elliott Architects’ design concept in September of 2020. According to District 1 Commissioner Melissa Dennis, construction plans for the new building are near completion and the district hopes to open bids in late summer.

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Family Video Family Video, at 2001 N. Harrison. The company announced in January it would be shutting its doors permanently. “The impact of COVID-19, not only in foot traffic, but also in the lack of movie releases, pushed us to the end of an era,” Highland Ventures, LTD, CEO (owner of Family Video) Keith Hoogland said. The company operated for 42 years and had expanded to 800 locations.

Golden Corral Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a longtime buffet shuttered its doors mid-July 2020. Shawnee’s Golden Corral Buffet and Grill, 2513 N. Harrison, not only served Shawnee residents and families, and often sponsored veterans meals, but also served as a meeting place for many Shawnee civic groups. “With a heavy heart we just cannot continue to operate in the climate that the pandemic has caused,” the post by franchise owner Jason Dibler reads, continuing that the Shawnee location has been there for 25 years. “Please keep our employees in your prayers. They are the very best of us and we truly are family,” the post reads. “We love you Shawnee.” The franchise owner will continue to operate a Golden Corral restaurant at Interstate 40 and MacArthur in Oklahoma City.

Richards Drug Local pharmacy Richards Drug, after serving the community for more than 80 years, shuttered its doors at the end of 2020. The business cited difficulties of getting reimbursed from insurance companies as a reason behind the closure.

Sam’s Southern Eatery Sam’s Southern Eatery, which first arrived in Shawnee in December 2018, was closed for a time during the COVID-19 pandemic, but in January reopened for business — only to halt its operation again. The restaurant had been shuttered for months before new management had taken over at the site at 1718 N. Harrison. At this time it is unclear if the seafood restaurant will make another attempt to reopen or if it has been shut down permanently.

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14Z  |  Saturday-Sunday, June 26-27, 2021  |  SHAWNEE NEWS-STAR

PROGRESS 2021

We are thrilled to be a part of the Shawnee community. Thank you for your support. Belfair of Shawnee, a memory care community, is thrilled and honored to have been nominated Best of the Best by the Shawnee News-Star. Thank you for all of those who participated in voting. We are happy to be a part of the Shawnee News-Star community. Belfair of Shawnee is proudly owned and managed by Carland Group, an Oklahoma-based developer of senior living communities and professionally managed by Carland Group, who is a well respected senior living leader dedicated to service, hospitality and exceptional care. We think you’ll find our approach different than what you’re used to, with person-centered senior care focused on dignity, respect and connection. It allows us to create a culture that honors each resident and their individual needs, while empowering our team members to provide exceptional service at all times.

kindness, compassion and a thorough understanding of the challenges that memory loss presents.

Our philosophy of care strives to create a purpose-filled life that will afford each individual maximum self-expression. The team is committed to creating a quality of care that meets each resident’s physiBelfair of Shawnee offers a person-first cal, social, spiritual and emotional needs. focused program supporting individuals We pride ourselves as being the experts in varying stages of Alzheimer’s disease in Alzheimer’s and Dementia care and and related dementias. Our mission is to focus on sharing our knowledge and reenrich the lives of our residents through sources with the community.

Everyday is a beautiful day at Belfair. Have the peace of mind knowing that family is what we value most.

www.BelfairofShawnee.com

AL 6304-6304

1723 N. Airport Drive • 405-275-1199


15Z  |  Saturday-Sunday, June 26-27, 2021  |  SHAWNEE NEWS-STAR

PROGRESS 2021

Sinclair gas stationS Two longtime Sinclair gas stations/convenience stores — at 301 E. Highland and 822 N. Harrison — are now closed.

F7 moving to Main Street George’s Tire, a business located at the corner of Kickapoo and Main for years has jumped across the street, now operating at 210 N. Kickapoo.

Surf Bar Acai Bowls and Smoothies, which was once housed in Wystle Boutique on Kickapoo, has moved to spread out in a larger location, at 4392 N. Union. The healthy food eatery now has its own drive-thru window.

For over 90 years,

Ell’s Jewelry

has been one of the most trusted names in jewelry in the Shawnee region. We are a well-established jewelry store that has grown with our community from a small store to a multiple brand jewelry retailer. We have served generations of families as their trusted jeweler for brilliant diamonds, beautiful fine jewelry, elegant watches, treasured gifts, custom made styles and expert

County Election Board The Pottawatomie County Election Board moved to its new location in the old MidFirst Bank building located at 330 N. Broadway Street in April. For more information email the Election Board at PottawatomieCounty@elections. ok.gov or call (405) 273-8376.

jewelry repairs. Ell’s Jewelry is committed to make every customer “feel at home” with our personalized service and our classic to cutting edge jewelry designs. Our years of experience and services have built a legacy of integrity and trust with our customers. At Ell’s Jewelry our mission has always been a tradition of trust, high ethical standards, knowledge of our jewelry products and services, fair pricing and value to our customers.

273-7263 | 2202 N. Kickapoo Tues.-Fri. 9am-6pm | Sat 9am-3pm | Closed Sun. & Mon.

Shawnee’s Friendly Jeweler

SW-349477

George’s Tire

Surf Bar

After being at 301 S. Kennedy for years, F7 Work Activity Center encountered a fire that immediately suspended operations at the recycling center; F7 had to relocate. The business has been working at a temporary site, but recently purchased the former Pratt’s grocery building on Main Street and is currently renovating the property to move its facility there.

www.ellsjewelr y.com


16Z  |  Saturday-Sunday, June 26-27, 2021  |  SHAWNEE NEWS-STAR

PROGRESS 2021


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