Big Businesses Moving Into Bustling Brookside

The popular retail store Urban Outfitters opened its doors Thursday in Brookside. It's the company's first store in Oklahoma.

The grand opening has some Tulsans felling like it's a sign of good things to come.

If Broookside was looking to pull in a crowd, putting in Urban Outfitters was definitely the way to go.

Hundreds of people, like Angie Veliz, poured into the store to shop and talk about their excitement.

"I mean we've been waiting, we deserve it," she said.

Veliz said she's been waiting for an Urban Outfitters close to home for 15 years. Born and raised in Tulsa, she said she's seen the city grow and change over the years.

“Tulsa's the Midwest thing to do. I mean we're giving Austin a run for their money and Oklahoma City. I mean Urban Outfitters represents a lot about music, festivals and art and pop culture, and I think that Tulsa's perfect for that," she said.

Especially nestled in Brookside; an area known for its shopping and restaurants, but also its high turnover rate of businesses.

Local real estate broker Pete Galbraith said the area is seeing an influx, not only of businesses, but of people wanting to live here.

“Well there's a lot of redevelopment going on in Brookside, from houses being torn down, to new houses being built. So there's a lot of new housing stock, so it's exciting to see that development going on and it's a lifestyle. I think you're seeing more and more people identify with the lifestyle of where they want to live," Galbraith said.

It's a lifestyle that puts you smack dab in the middle of businesses, local eateries, nightlife and shopping.

Urban Outfitters isn't the only new face on the block. A Reasor's concept store is currently under construction at 39th and Peoria and the proposal for what some say could be a Trader Joe's is in the works.

It's all big investments not only in the Brookside community, but the city as well.

"And I think it's great that you're seeing Tulsa getting picked over Oklahoma City for a lot of new places and I'm super excited to see that," Galbraith said.

Tulsans are excited to see what the future holds.

“I love it, I'm happy, I couldn't be happier," Veliz said.

The Reasor's store plans to open late spring. As for the rumored Trader Joe's, we'll just have to wait to find out.