Partnership and progress: An update on OKC’s first market hall retail center

Just off the main strip of businesses in Automobile Alley, across the railroad tracks on 8^th Street, you’ll find a large, tan brick building decorated with white metal lettering. At night, the letters light up like Hollywood dressing room lights, making for a glamorous display of the “8^th Street Market” sign. What used to be the quiet home to storage units now houses an energetic crew of businesses, run by some of the kindest people you will find in Oklahoma City.

“This place is not just a food hall. All of the people running these businesses may not have known each other had they not had this opportunity to share a space. There’s really awesome synergy between them--so much connectivity,” shared Tammy Fate, Senior Manager of Retail Development at the OKC Chamber. “One of my favorite things about 8^th street is: I can roll my bicycle in here, lay it against the wall, and roam around without having to worry. I can also bring my dog, Lucy, here. There aren’t many places where you can do that and have great beer, delicious food, and an open space to socialize.”

Brandon Lodge, owner of Lap7 Development, is one of 8^th Street Market’s developers. His name may be familiar for those who have kept up to date with recent news covering the Ice House mixed-use development project in Edmond or the Nova Development, which is being constructed in Automobile Alley. He has a gift for seeing the potential in unlikely places and making incredible things happen.

After enjoying food and retail market halls in places around the country, Lodge began dreaming of making one possible in Oklahoma City. He took a chance in fully reconstructing the interior of the building on 8^th Street to create Oklahoma City’s first market hall. Following his hopes, the space began to fill with an eclectic group. Prairie Artisan Ales was the first to move into the space in 2017, and one year later, Magasin Table joined the community. Now, the tenants include Prairie, Magasin, West + Main Homes, Prelude Coffee Roasters, and Balance Yoga Barre.

What may appear to be an odd mix of businesses--coffee, Vietnamese cuisine, yoga, real estate, and beer--actually works quite symbiotically. The small community of businesses share patrons and support each other’s success.

During the height of the pandemic, things were quieter than usual in the space, but the businesses have managed to survive. “Through COVID it’s been a really good test of the theory that the tenants help each other out. No one got rich, but everyone survived. That had a lot to do with Prairie serving new beers each week, Magasin offering to-go stuff, and everyone working together to make it through this thing,” shared Lodge.

Prairie’s manager Greg Powell stated, “2020 was our best year in terms of production, and we are seeing promising levels of sales in 2021. Every week, we are creating 2-4 new beers, brewed cocktails, or seltzers. Everything we sell here is produced in our building.” According to Powell, they recently began crafting a series of smoothie seltzers, which are a refreshing drink for summer. Made with one part fruit to one part seltzer, the beverage runs at about a five percent ABV, yet the alcohol is hard to taste thanks to the uniquely flavorful fresh fruit mixture. With every visit to Prairie, there is something new to try, but their well-loved Rainbow Sherbet sour will always remain on tap. Luckily, they offer 4 oz pours at an affordable price point, so individuals can have a few beers without breaking the bank or overdoing it on consumption.

While sipping on a Prairie Artisan Ale, patrons are fortunate to have some of the most delicious Vietnamese cuisine in town just a few steps away at Magasin Table. Magasin’s owner, Leon Hoang, hand selects the produce and other ingredients that go into each of his recipes. With one bite of the food, it’s clear that it has been made with both talent and care. Popular items on the menu include their classic Vietnamese dish, Pho, jasmine rice bowls that come with a choice of protein and are complimented with a side salad, and the savory Vietnamese sandwich, banh mi.

When asked about the banh mi, Hoang said, “It’s one of those foods that my mom used to make when we were growing up. When we were traveling, she would buy baguettes and fill them with meats and fresh vegetables. Anywhere we would go, it was quick and ready. For Magasin, I get the baguettes from [local international grocery] Super Cao. They make them fresh daily. The majority of my inventory for all of my menu items comes from them. They are always talking to me about new products and we have a great relationship. We’ve had tremendous support from Cao Nguyen.”

Brandon Lodge is a big fan of Magasin’s banh mi. He said, “I am telling you, it is the best sandwich here in the city. Sometimes I’ll come here and get two of them to go because they warm up incredibly well.” At Magasin, there is nothing on the menu that will disappoint the taste buds. Another must try item on the menu is Hoang’s mother’s egg roll recipe—created with a delicately crispy wrap.

As we move forward out of the pandemic, West+Main initiated a monthly art event on the first Friday of every month: Art at The Market. They began hosting these events in January 2021, fostering a healthy “welcome back” as individuals become more comfortable engaging in public events. During each event, the work of local artists is featured on the walls of their business space for viewing and purchase, credit for Balance Yoga Barre and Prelude are raffled off, Prairie provides beer, and Magasin creates special hors d'oeuvres for attendees to enjoy. The free event has offered an opportunity for individuals to gather and connect, in addition to showing off 8^th Street Market’s phenomenal space and people.

Lodge has been thoughtful in the selection of businesses that enter 8^th Street. It’s important to him that the businesses complement each other. Instead of competing for patrons, they serve different needs of the same individuals. One can pick up a bag of coffee beans from Prelude before they go to a yoga class at Balance Yoga Barre. After a good sweat session, they can end the evening with a nutritious meal from Magasin and a thirst-quenching beer or seltzer from Prairie. Upon entering and exiting the space they can dream about their next home purchase as they pass by West + Main’s window where a selection of available homes is posted.

“Every city has a convention center, which is absolutely necessary--and ours is spectacular--but you don’t go to Oklahoma City and say ‘Man, you got to come here and see that convention center!’ Right? No, you’re much more likely to say ‘We need to go check out 8^th Street Market, it is legit.’ This is where people want to bring their out-of-town guests, and that’s what I want to build. I want to build these little pieces of city that start to define our city and create things that people want to go and check out.”

There are still a couple of open retail spaces in 8^th Street Market, but by the end of 2021, Lodge anticipates the entire space will be occupied with tenants. Businesses interested in the opportunity to become a part of 8^th Street should reach out to Girma Moaning, retail investment specialist from Chamber Member Price Edwards, who manages the leasing opportunities.