Toby Keith breaks ground on new bar in downtown Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Country music star Toby Keith broke ground Thursday for a 600-seat restaurant and music hall along a canal in the Bricktown entertainment district.<br/><br/>"Toby Keith's I Love

Thursday, November 4th 2004, 5:41 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Country music star Toby Keith broke ground Thursday for a 600-seat restaurant and music hall along a canal in the Bricktown entertainment district.

"Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill," will be built at a cost of $4.7 million and is scheduled to open in Spring 2005.

"The whole concept reflects my passion for Oklahoma and where everyone will feel comfortable," Keith said. The 12,000-square-foot venue is named after a popular Toby Keith song, "I Love This Bar."

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett said city officials were thrilled with the project.

"This further solidifies Bricktown's reputation as a premier destination entertainment center and fits into our goal of increasing our tourism opportunities," Cornett said.

Keith lives in the Oklahoma City area.

"When I'm home, I plan to come by my bar for a cold one, kick back and enjoy the music," he said.

The entertainment district includes a baseball park, a Bass Pro Shops store and a 16-screen theater, restaurants and other businesses.