Sand Springs to unveil new downtown LED lights next Tuesday

/

Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs will unveil its first LED (light-emitting diode) package during a commissioning event on Tuesday, April 17, in downtown Sand Springs. The LED lights will be put into service at 8:00 p.m. following a brief ceremony at 100 South Main Street at the US412 underpass. 

"This project was approved by our City Council a few years ago as part of our Vision 2025 community enhancement master project," stated City Manager Elizabeth Gray. "The Case Community Park was a major component of our overall project. With this light commissioning event we are pleased to offer this unique roadway lighting for our citizens and area businesses. This is another example of the Vision2025 funding program, which has enhanced quality of life efforts throughout Tulsa metro, and we wish to thank voters for their support."

The lighting system addresses one of the darkest underpass areas in Sand Springs.

It is designed to improve public safety at night, and will help bridge the pedestrian space between downtown Sand Springs businesses and the Riverwest shopping district.

"We're excited to bring this colorful, artistic light display to our community," said Community Development Director Grant Gerondale. "The LED lights have an automated calendar holding various lighting scenes which will reveal different colorized scenes throughout the year. For example you'll see red, white and blue for major holidays like Independence Day; red and green for Christmas; and the bridge underpass will go pink during Cancer awareness month in October. It's a creative way to add lighting safety and bring a splash of color to our town."

The last remaining round of Vision 2025 funding will be provide visual highway enhancements in Sand Springs. Following a vegetation clearing phase this spring, highway travelers can expect to see additional white vinyl rail fence installed around Sand Springs.

Braum's Ice Cream and Burgers holds ribbon cutting in Sand Springs

/

After six months of closure, the Braum's Ice Cream and Burger shop is back in business in south Sand Springs. The store held a grand opening and ribbon cutting Tuesday afternoon.

The store completely demolished its old building and parking lot, rebuilding from the ground up to offer a larger, better organized building with more parking and a quicker drive-through. 

The new building reopened last Tuesday and will be celebrating all this week with giveaways. Items such as high-definition televisions, gaming consoles, computers, and free store merchandise and food can be won with scratch cards inside the store. 

On Saturday, April 14th, free cones will be handed out to kids age fifteen and younger, accompanied by a parent, between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. 

According to the store manager, the new marquee is the first of its kind in the whole organization and is an original design by Bill Braum.

29th Annual Sand Springs Herbal Affair & Festival set for April 21st

/

Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs announces its plans for the 29th Annual Sand Springs Herbal Affair & Festival in downtown Sand Springs. The event occurs on Saturday, April 21, and runs from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. This year's event showcases more than 100 plant, herb, arts, crafts, food and wine vendors from around the four-state area. In addition to all of the gardening enthusiast items, this Herbal Affair features a half-dozen live musical performers on the historical stage at Charles Page Triangle Park in the heart of the downtown district. 

SEE RELATED: Sand Springs 29th Annual Herbal Affair & Festival

"This year's event is slightly larger than in the past, with a few more vendors adding to the diversity of our event," stated Grant Gerondale, Community Development Director for the City of Sand Springs. "What began as a small gathering of gardening enthusiasts with Ruth Leib and Sandi Byerly in 1989 has grown into Oklahoma's premier herbal festival."

With the positive growth seen this past year at the City's Riverwest Development just south of downtown, parking options at that site no longer exist. Event goers should rely heavily on the free parking and shuttle service at Charles Page High School (500 N. Adams Road) and utilize on-street parking around the downtown area. The free shuttle service will run from 8:00 a.m. until shortly after 4:00 p.m.

Each year the Sand Springs Herbal Affair offers shoppers a unique variety of tomatoes, herbs, annual and perennial plants and an assortment of arts, crafts, foods and wines. Visitors also enjoy the announcement of the "Hometown Hero" award, presented to a deserving Sand Springs citizen each year on the stage.

"This year's event brings in some new items and also goes back to some of the traditional roots of the festival," Gerondale added. "We'll feature eclectic gardening features like worm soil casings, a soil amenity for your garden, and we'll also see trendy hydroponically grown tomatoes. On the musical side of things we'll have the traditional sounds of the Shelby Eicher Trio, but we'll also bring back Dulcimer Magic which played the event for years. To end the day we've added the Sand Springs Community Band which did a fantastic job during last year's Riverfest grand opening at the new Case Community Park. I really encourage locals to come out and enjoy this great live music."

When you do come out, you'll be joining nearly 30,000 other visitors who make the annual trek to Sand Springs to get their fill of outdoor gardening plants, arts, crafts, and good food. This year's event features nearly 20 food operations to satisfy hungry strollers. 

"Who doesn't like the Amish chicken and noodles, right?" asked Gerondale. "You'll find old standby herbal affair foods and treats like fresh roasted nuts, but you'll also see some offerings like succotash and pitas."

This is a family and pet (on a leash) friendly outing as folks mingle amidst the historic downtown triangle of Sand Springs. Parents will want to check out the kidz-zone on the west side of the event area. Church That Matters is again hosting a variety of activities including a Radio Control Car display, kids petting zoo, snow cones and the chance for some Home Depot wood building kit activities. All of those activities are free to children.

The Sand Springs Cultural & Historical Museum will also be open and offers a great walk-through for interpretative displays and features a fine example of 1920's art-deco architecture.  The museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Is there a wine lover in your home? You won't want to miss the small wine-garden located immediately across from City Hall. Five area wineries will have small taster samplings on hand as well as a variety of their products for sale.

The City of Sand Springs encourages all event goers to step into the fun-filled shops that line the downtown streets of Herbal Affair. Unique and hard to find antiques, apparel and small treasures can be found in many of our small businesses in downtown Sand Springs.

Want to learn more? Check out our Facebook page in the days leading up to the April 21 event to find informative Herbal Affair event videos and details.

For more information about the City of Sand Springs, please visit  www.sandspringsok.org and www.seesandsprings.com.

Business of the Week: YellowHouse Market & Boutique

/

YellowHouse Market & Boutique first opened its doors in Sand Springs in October of 2015. Less than three years later, the locally owned and operated business is the model of success thanks to strong customer service and a heart for the community. 

"We started out with a booth in Vintage Stables," says owner Lisa Miller. "We started putting clothes in there and we would sell out right away. That's when we decided to open a store and give it a shot."

The boutique first opened up at Livi Lee's Corner and relocated to the historic downtown Chastain's building in time for their one-year anniversary. The relocation was a coming-home of sorts for Miller, who previously worked for the prior owner of the building. When Laurie Joslin decided to close DejaVu Decor, both she and Miller felt it was God's plan for YellowHouse to take over the location.

The business takes its name from Lisa and Mike Millers' first home, a yellow farm house in their hometown of Skiatook. The couple arrived in Sand Springs thirteen years ago with their three kids, each of whom has a hand in the family business. 

"We've been surprised by how well it has gone and how supported we've been," says Miller. 

YellowHouse is unique in that they carry Small through 3X sizes in almost all of their clothing. They also receive lots of praise for their customer service, and carry a nearly-perfect 4.9 star rating on Facebook with over 200 reviews.

Miller hopes to launch a new online store in the next couple of months, and recently purchased a mobile boutique to use at road shows and events like Chillin & Grillin, which will be held in Case Community Park this April. 

"When I opened YellowHouse I was really terrified that it would not go well, and as it has grown, I've learned to start telling God 'yes' instead of 'no, because I'm scared,'" says Miller. "The more I say yes, the more that happens. I want women to get over the fear of 'what if this doesn't work.'"

YellowHouse has hosted popup shops to help promote other small businesses. Jaden's Designs sold wooden signs and other calligraphy-related home decor, Jade Crawford held an art show, and All Blessings Boutique showcased their custom burlap pillows. They will have several small vendors in the shop during the Herbal Affair and Festival later this month. 

Miller was asked to join the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in January, and has helped organize a new Small Business Initiative to guide other local startups to success. 

"People really want small businesses and stuff like this in Sand Springs. It's evident in the way we've been supported."

YellowHouse Market and Boutique
918.720.8370
122 North Main Street
Sand Springs, OK 74063
http://yellowhousemarket.com/
Facebook
Instagram
Hours:
Sun: CLOSED
Mon: CLOSED
Tue: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 
Wed: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thu: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Fri: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sat: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

 

Sand Springs Chamber launches new Small Business Initiative

/

The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce introduced a new Small Business Initiative at their Monday afternoon luncheon. The three-year program aims to present new businesses with resources for opening, growing, and becoming profitable quickly.

"The Chamber recognizes and appreciates the vital role that small businesses play in our community," said Chamber President Kristin Valentine. "These businesses are the engine of job creation and economic growth for Sand Springs."

"The Chamber wants to ensure that all businesses are equipped with the resources they need to grow and prosper, by providing the right climate for entrepreneurial and small business owners to succeed."

Businesses that have been open for five years or less and that have ten or fewer employers are eligible for the program, which includes reduced membership rates and sponsorship opportunities. Additionally, the program has created a Small Business Advisory Council that will provide direction for acquiring loans, filing corporate taxes, applying for permits, etc.

Lisa Miller, Jo Wells, John Fothergill, Danielle Myers, and Valentine comprise the council. Miller is the owner of Yellow House Market and Boutique, Wells owns Coble Flowers, Myers owns Myers Marketing and We Are Sand Springs, and Fothergill represents the office of Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith, who is sponsoring the initiative. Fothergill is also a former Sand Springs City Councilman and Vice-Mayor.

"We are very excited about it," said Valentine. "It's already brought in several new Chamber members. The response has just been phenomenal from the small businesses here in town."

Chillin & Grillin' expecting biggest year yet, still needing more BBQ contestants

/

The Seventh Annual Chillin and Grillin Festival is expected to be the biggest one yet, says Chamber of Commerce President Kristin Valentin, but organizers are having a hard time finding enough competitors for the BBQ contest.

Chillin & Grillin is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the nonprofit Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce, and is a major economic driver for the City of Sand Springs. The festival will be held at Case Community Park from Thursday, April 12th through Saturday the 14th. After six years of hosting an official Kansas City Barbecue Society event, the Chamber decided to forgo the prestigious, but expensive, partnership. 

There are four categories of competition with a $1,000 grand prize and $500 reserve. The contest judges brisket, pork, ribs, and chicken. There is also a People's Choice category and a Kid's competition. Only four teams have committed to the full contest, and Valentin says they may have to cancel it if they don't get ten teams by Friday.

People's Choice will proceed unhindered and already has eight entrees. Visitors can pay $10 to eat their fill on Saturday and vote for their favorite overall team. The Church That Matters Holy Smokers won the first five People's Choice Awards and were dethroned by the Sand Springs Parks Department last year. 

In addition to barbecue, Lee's Charburgers, Not Your Grandma's Cupcakes, and Kettle Treats will also be on hand, as will numerous vendors of arts and crafts, clothing, cooking and barbecue supplies, and more. Yellow House Market and Boutique, Okie Spice and Trade Co., Cutco Cutlery, and BJ's Pit Stop will be setting up shop and Janicelynn Yazzie will be selling traditional Navajo jewelry and blankets. 

The festival has expanded to three days for the first time and will have a full carnival as well. Entry is free all three days. Carnival wristbands are $20/day in advance or $25 at the gate and can be purchased at Prattville Market, Verizon Wireless, and Green Country Federal Credit Union. The wristbands will provide unlimited rides on either Thursday or Friday. Rides are $3 apiece on Saturday. 

Food trucks, carnival rides, live music, and a beer garden will be on hand all three days, and the Harper's Hut Classic Car Show will be on Saturday with five Best in Show categories and unique custom trophies made from actual car parts. 

Student jazz bands from Mannford, Berryhill, and Charles Page High School will provide the entertainment Thursday evening. Sand Springs's own Jennifer Marriott Band will perform on Friday, and Midlife Crisis will play on Saturday. 

Parking will be free all three days.

"This year we are already ahead of the game and we're very excited about it. The sponsorships of the companies in this town that are supporting us and this event are amazing," says Valentin.

"We truly feel that these events are economic development in its purest form because it brings people to Sand Springs, gets people out of their homes and doing something that isn't very expensive. We're very conscious of making it moderately priced so that people can absolutely come out and enjoy it."

To enter the barbecue contest, contact Kristen Valentin at (918) 245-3221. To enter the car show, contact William Nozak at (918) 671-6352. Car show entrees are $15 in advance or $20 day of. 

Event sponsors: Green Country Federal Credit Union, OmniTRAX, City of Sand Springs, Webco Industries, Church That Matters, Cecil & Sons Discount Tires, Keystone Chevrolet, Osage Casino Hotel, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, Sam's Club, United Rentals, The Canyons at Blackjack Ridge, KRMG, Mobley-Groesbeck Funeral Service, Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Stores, PepsiCo, and Reasor's. 

Sandlot Sno-Balls employee has phone and tip jar stolen

/

An employee at the Sandlot Sno-Balls shaved ice stand at 250 South Highway 97 was the victim of theft Saturday afternoon, according to company owner Brad Crain.

The perpetrator reportedly visited the stand earlier that day and ordered a snow cone, then returned later in the day for another. After ordering and paying, he swiped the stand's tip jar and an employee's iPhone while she had her back turned. 

Anyone with information regarding the incident can reach the Sand Springs Police Department non-emergency line at 918-245-8777.

Colton's Steak House & Grill holds grand opening in Sand Springs

/

Colton's Steak House & Grill officially opened for business Monday morning in the Sand Springs River West development after a Grand Opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony with City and Chamber of Commerce officials.

The restaurant is the only steak house in Sand Springs, and only the second Colton's in Oklahoma. It joins McDonald's, IHOP, Starbucks, and El Maguey Mexican Grill & Cantina at River West.

Based in Arkansas, Colton's has 37 restaurants in eight states, including Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Oklahoma's first Colton's is located in Muskogee.

Colton's Steak House & Grill
32 West Alexander Boulevard
(918) 245-1000

Sand Springs Progress Report: What's new and what's changing

/

The Automatic Spotless Car Wash at 3300 South Highway 97 was demolished in January to make room for new development. The car wash opened in 1979 and was sold to Yocham Enterprises, a Sapulpa-based construction company, in 2011. 

A hardened-room storm shelter is under construction at the Case Community Center. City Council approved a $136,000 contract with Lambert Construction in November of last year, using funds generated by a public safety sales tax. Designed by Studio 45, the room is rated to withstand 250 m.p.h. winds with an occupancy load of 97.

Josh Butts Creative Services is wrapping up a new mural on the side of Yesterday To Now at 224 North Main Street in downtown Sand Springs. The City authorized up to $49,500 for two murals in March of 2017, with funding from the Economic Development Capital Improvement Fund. The first mural, at 11450 West Highway 51, has yet to be completed due to obstructive power lines. 

A new trail is under construction along Sand Springs Park Road, stretching from Adams Road to the Sand Springs Lake. The project is partly locally funded, along with a $620,000 grant from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. 

Atwoods Farm and Home Store at 730 East Charles Page Boulevard is undergoing an extensive expansion project after taking over the storefronts previously occupied by Stage Department Store and CrossFit 1055. The company opened its Sand Springs location in 2002. 

Colton's Steak House & Grill is opening for business Monday, March 26 at 32 West Alexander Boulevard in River West.  SEE RELATED: Colton's Steak House & Grill holds ground-breaking ceremony in Sand Springs

Ground work has begun on the new Billie A. Hall Public Safety Center at Sheffield Crossing. The 40,000 square foot facility will house the City's Police Department, north-side Fire Department, municipal courts, jail, Emergency Operations Center, and 911 Communications operations. SEE RELATED: New Sand Springs Public Safety Facility to be named in honor of war hero Billie A. Hall

Three new housing developments are under construction in Sand Springs. Rivercrest has twelve lots ranging from $200,000 to $300,000 at 3123 South 113th West Avenue. Teal Ridge offers 115 lots ranging from $270,000 to $400,000 on 41st Street. Capital Homes is developing 87 lots at 700 West 51st Street.

Framing has gone up at the new $1.5 million Fire House No. 2 at 4101 South 113th West Avenue. The building will replace an outdated adjacent station built in 1967. The project is funded with Vision 2025 sales tax and is slated to be completed in August. SEE RELATED: Sand Springs breaks ground on $1.5 million Fire Station in Prattville

Plans are underway for a Main Street Renovation Project that will connect Highway 97 to Main Street and add a frontage road connecting Main Street to the Highway 412 at the Lincoln Avenue on-ramp. The project is funded by a 50/50 agreement between the City and ODOT. Additionally, a G.O. Bond-funded road will be constructed atop the levee separating Case Community Park from Sheffield Crossing.

Sand Springs Flowers has relocated to 26 East Broadway in the old trolley station building next to Napolis. The century-old business was recently purchased by Jessica Hendricks. Coble's Flowers is renovating the old location at 206 North Main Street and is expected to move in this April. SEE RELATED: Sand Springs Flowers to relocate under new ownership

St. Francis Health Systems unveiled a new $2 million Warren Clinic facility at 102 South Main Street in River West earlier this month. SEE RELATED: New Saint Francis Warren Clinic receives blessing, opens in Sand Springs River West

Myers Marketing and We Are Sand Springs are moving into a new building at 118 North Main Street on the ground floor of a building housing Crescent Lofts and Doug's Rebuilders, the former location of Blush Hair Salon. They will hold their grand opening April 21st during the 29th Annual Herbal Affair and Festival. 

The QuikTrip convenience store at 2 East 41st Street is nearing completion and finishing the parking lot and sidewalks this week. 

The Braum's Hamburgers and Ice Cream shop at 3950 South Highway 97 is complete, and is currently hiring and training new employees before opening.

Sandlot Sno-Balls will be opening a new Prattville location at 3 West 41st Street this summer. 

ZegART Studios recently opened at 700 East Charles Page Boulevard and offers family friendly art classes in many different mediums. SEE RELATED: ZegART Studios opens in Sand Springs

The passage of G.O. Bond Proposal No. 3 last November paved the way for the construction of a visitor's center and observation tower at the Keystone Ancient Forest. City Council will also vote on whether or not to purchase twenty additional acres for the forest on Monday. The $100,000 property sits adjacent to the preserve's entrance.

New Saint Francis Warren Clinic receives blessing, opens in Sand Springs River West

/

Saint Francis Health System held a grand opening and blessing ceremony Monday morning at the new Warren Clinic location in the Sand Springs River West development. The new facility will house the primary care services previously located at 796 Charles Page Boulevard, and will add an urgent care clinic as well. 

Sand Springs native entrepreneur-philanthropist Mike Case, who serves on the Saint Francis Board of Directors, spoke at the event, as well as CEO Jake Henry Jr. and Vice President Charley Trimble. 

Sister Mary Benedicta led the blessing rites and Father Todd Nance, Pastor of Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Sand Springs, gave the prayer of blessing and consecrated the facility with holy water. 

Primary Care and Pediatric services will open Monday, March 5th at 1:00 p.m. Urgent Care will also be open with limited services. Urgent Care will be available Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday - Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Warren Clinic joins El Maguey Mexican Restaurant and ALDI grocery store as the latest newcomers to the River West development, which also features an IHOP, Starbucks, and Holiday Inn Express. Colten's Steak House is also under construction and will open later this Spring. 

Warren Clinic Sand Springs
102 South Main Street
Sand Springs, OK 74063
918-245-2286

ZegART Studios opens in Sand Springs

/

ZegART Studios held a grand opening Sunday at Atwoods Plaza in Sand Springs. The art studio is owned by Carey Zegart and Darla Satterfield Zegart and houses work from dozens of local artists.

Darla comes from a family of artists and has had a lifetime interest. She taught elementary math, science, social studies, and art for sixteen years in Keene, Texas before arriving in Oklahoma nearly seven years ago. She taught for Tulsa Public Schools and Broken Arrow Public Schools before retiring and opening the studio. She has also published two holiday-themed books that can be found on Amazon.

When relocating to Oklahoma, the Zegarts were initially looking for a home in Broken Arrow. They were accidentally rerouted to a house in Sand Springs that had the same address of the one they were planning to see. Darla credits the fluke as an act of God. 

"My passions are God, people, and art, in that order," says Darla. The studio aims to be a Christian-based, family-oriented, community-conscious establishment. In addition to providing a venue for local artists to sell their work, they also plan to provide the community with a place to learn and explore their own creativity. 

Artists are welcome to simply sell their works at the shop, or to become a ZegARTist and take a more involved role in the studio and the community. ZegARTists are featured on the website and promoted in the studio, and can be found in the studio teaching classes or working on their own pieces. Current ZegARTists include Sand Springs's own Kayla Adams, Marcos Fernandez, Leslie Reed, and Jane "Jezz" Strutt.

It's not just painting and drawing. Many mediums of art are taught and sold at the studio, including: stained glass, matting and framing, scrapbooking, scherenschnitte, woodburning, wire and metal, papier mache, and more. 

In addition to regular classes, the studio also welcomes large parties for events such as birthdays, bridal showers, and team building. They will host community fellowship on the first and last Saturday of each month from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. On the second Saturday of the month they will offer free classes for Super Seniors (Age 70+). 

ZegART Studios
700 E. Charles Page Blvd.
Sand Springs, OK 74063
(918) 704-4979
www.zegartstudios.com

HOURS
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - Noon, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Sand Springs golf course ranked among top-ten Best Value courses in United States

/

Sand Springs, OK -  The City of Sand Springs' Canyons at Blackjack Ridge Golf Course has been named one of the top golf courses not only in Oklahoma, but in the U.S. The recent rankings come from Golf Advisor (golfadvisor.com) an online golfing review source, using feedback from golfers themselves. The 2017 rankings reflect online voting by golfers around the region and the results showcase the Canyons at Blackjack Ridge as the #3 rated top golf course in Oklahoma and among the Top 10 Best Value courses in the United States.

"We've been working on the course for more than ten years, and we're pretty pleased to be noticed in this manner," stated Brian Talley, Director of Golf for the City. "Our course has added many recent improvements like new tee boxes, pond features, beautiful vistas and our greens have been consistently strong."

The Canyons is a USGA sanctioned, 18 hole course overlooking the beautiful Tulsa skyline.  Each year tens of thousands of sports tourists play the course and enjoy the Sand Springs community. Talley says there are no shortcuts in producing the consistently strong product that is the Canyons golf course.

"Many hours are spent by staff every day monitoring the greens, irrigation and nutrient inputs which come together to create a fantastic golf experience for people", Talley added. "With many choices for people to play golf, we go the extra mile with great customer service and competitive rates to keep people coming back."

The Canyons boasts natural rolling topography and small canyons laid out across the course, providing unmatched natural beauty. In recent years the course's #12 hole was voted by Tulsa World readers as one of "Tulsa's Best Holes of Golf" with its dramatic cliff setting and nearly 200' vertical drop to the green below. 

The Canyons offers memberships, tournaments and lessons from PGA professionals. To make a golf reservation call (918) 246-2606 or visit www.canyonsatblackjackridge.com. 

For more information on the Golf Advisor resource, check out: 

 https://www.golfadvisor.com/best-of/

For more information about the City of Sand Springs, please visit  www.sandspringsok.org and www.seesandsprings.com and follow the City on Face Book for the latest updates.

Sand Springs Flowers to relocate under new ownership

/

Sand Springs Flowers held a grand opening Thursday evening in downtown Sand Springs, but the business is anything but new. Though it has changed hands a few times over the years, the business traces its roots back to before the city was officially incorporated.

Jessica Hendricks took over the shop after previous owner Carolyn Short announced her retirement in December. Short ran the business for more than two decades before closing its doors in January. Hendricks opened them right back up.

Originally owned by Sand Springs founder Charles Page in 1908, the business was moved to its current location in 1987. Three decades later, the shop has plans to move once again. Hendricks is currently renovating a storefront previously occupied by The Book Box at 26 East Broadway in the building with Napoli's Italian Restaurant.

Sand Springs Flowers will continue to offer the same quality floral arrangements it has been providing for over a century, but also looks to add new opportunities for the community. 

"We're now offering an art journaling class," says Hendricks. "I'm in the works on getting a glass-staining class. We've talked about trying to get a calligraphy class going, a floral design class, we've got all kinds of things in the works right now."

The store is now an exclusive carrier of Glacier Confections, a Tulsa-based chocolate company. Their flowers come from Green Leaf Florists in Tulsa and they're also carrying hand-painted signs by Hendricks's sister-in-law.

The store caters to patrons of all budgets, with Valentine's Day candy and balloon bouquets as cheap as $5.00. The store will also deliver throughout Sand Springs and Tulsa. 

Sand Springs Flowers is currently located at 206 North Main Street and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The store can be reached at 918-245-9511.

Sand Springs Progress Report: What's new and what's changing

/

ALDI grocery store is holding its grand opening this Thursday at 8:00 a.m. The store is located at 101 West Alexander Boulevard in River West.

SEE RELATED: ALDI grocery store to hold grand opening Thursday in Sand Springs

The QuikTrip convenience store at 2 East 41st Street is nearing completion. The existing building was demolished in November of last year to make way for the larger, newer facility. 

Braum's Ice Cream Shop & Burger Restaurant at 3950 South Highway 97 was demolished in October of 2017 to make room for a larger, newer facility with a full fresh produce selection.

Construction nears completion on the new Warren Clinic facility in the River West development near downtown. The building will house the relocated offices currently at 796 Charles Page Boulevard. It will also add a new urgent care clinic.

SEE RELATED: ALDI and St. Francis Urgent Care to open new locations in RiverWest Development

Colton's Steak House broke ground in River West in October of last year and is expected to open this spring.

SEE RELATED: Colton's Steak House & Grill holds ground-breaking ceremony in Sand Springs

Sandlot Sno-Balls will be opening a new Prattville location at 3 West 41st Street this summer.

This mural by Josh Butts Creative Services is currently unfinished and will eventually wrap partly around the eastern side of the silo. Located just west of the intersection of Highway 51 and Avery Drive.

SEE RELATED: City of Sand Springs commissions mural for abandoned Monarch Cement silo

Another mural by Josh Butts will be going in on the side of Yesterday to Now at 224 North Main Street. The project will begin this spring and will take about a week to complete. 

SEE RELATED: Plans unveiled for new mural in downtown Sand Springs

ZegART Studios is renovating the building at 700 East Charles Page Boulevard in the Atwoods Shopping Center. Formerly a Radio Shack, the storefront will now house a studio for local artists.

Construction has yet to begin on this City Council-approved "hardened room" storm shelter at the Case Community Center. Other improvements coming to the Case Park area include G.O. Bond-funded paved parking at the Jerry Adair Baseball Complex and a road will be constructed over the levee for easier access to the park. 

Demolition continues at the old Gerdau Steel Mill and future Sheffield Crossing development. The City of Sand Springs recently purchased eighteen acres from OmniTRAX with the long-term goal of providing a good location for a hardware store such as Lowe's or Home Depot. The City hopes to develop the land to incentivize one of these businesses as well as provide the infrastructure for other shopping/dining options nearby. 

The Billie A. Hall Public Safety Center will break ground this spring along Morrow Road inside the Sheffield Crossing development. The facility will house the Sand Springs Police Department and Municipal Courts as well as replace the existing Fire Station No. 1.

SEE RELATED:  New Sand Springs Public Safety Facility to be named in honor of war hero Billie A. Hall

Progress continues on the new Fire Station No. 2 at 4101 South 113th West Avenue. Construction is expected to be complete in August.

SEE RELATED: Sand Springs Fire Station #2 to receive $1.5 million new facility

Atwoods is currently undergoing a major expansion into the building space previously occupied by Stage department store and CrossFit 1055. Both of those businesses relocated to bigger and better facilities.

The old Spotless Car Wash at 3300 South Highway 97 was demolished this week to make way for new development.

Several upgrades were recently approved for the Keystone Ancient Forest. With passage of General Obligation Bond Proposition No. 3 in November, voters provided the funding for a new observation platform and visitors center.

Top: The Teal Ridge development at 8600 West 41st Street offers 115 lots with homes priced from $270,000 to over $400,000.
Middle: The Rivercrest Development at 3123 South 113th Avenue West offers twelve lots with homes priced from $200,000 to $300,000. 
Bottom: This Capital Homes development near the intersection of 51st Street and 129th West Avenue will hold 87 houses. 

Church That Matters recently purchased the Prattville Market at 3 West 41st Street. They also opened the Lee's Charburgers food truck at the same location. Both serve as fundraisers for the church's ministries. 

It's a Girl Thing Boutique opened recently at 4106 South 113th West Avenue.

El Patron Cocina Mexicana recently opened in The Shops at Adams Road at 536 Plaza Court.

The House of Hair and Boutique recently opened at 407 East Broadway.

Sand Springs Leader closes downtown offices

/

The Sand Springs Leader newspaper is closing the doors on its offices and will be consolidating staff with the Tulsa World. Despite the closing of its local building, the paper will continue to be published from the downtown Tulsa World location. 

The century-old newspaper was purchased in 2015 by Berkshire Hathaway Media Group and brought under the umbrella of the Tulsa World. 

Print newspapers have been on the decline and numerous Oklahoma publications have closed their doors in recent years. 

The Leader absorbed the Mannford Eagle in 2011. In 2012 the Glenpool Post merged with the Jenks Journal and the Bixby Bulletin to form the South County Leader, which closed its doors two years later. The Catoosa Times ceased publication in December of 2013. In September of 2016, the Wagoner Tribune and Coweta American were consolidated as the Wagoner County American-Tribune. The Broken Arrow Ledger closed its offices in February of 2017 and ceased printed publication. 

 

ALDI grocery store to hold grand opening Thursday in Sand Springs

/

Sand Springs - ALDI grocery store will be holding a ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony Thursday, January 25th in the Sand Springs River West development at 101 West Alexander Boulevard. 

The public is invited to attend the event, which will begin at 8:00 a.m. Following the ceremony, the first 100 customers will receive a golden ticket, each containing ALDI gift cards of various amounts. Customers can also tour the store, sample ALDI exclusive brand products and enter an on-site sweepstakes for a chance to win a year's supply of ALDI produce. 

“We value our customers in Sand Springs and we’re excited to open our new Sand Springs store to continue offering high-quality groceries at prices they love,” said Mark Bersted, Olathe division vice president for ALDI. “We’re proud to offer shoppers a variety of fresh produce, USDA Choice meats, organic items and gluten-free choices, all at affordable prices that our competitors can’t match, in an environment that’s easy and quick to navigate.”

The new store is part of a $3.4 billion investment plan to expand from 1,600 stores in 35 states to more than 2,500 stores by 2022. The Sand Springs location will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Sunday. All ALDI stores nationwide accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

As part of its accelerated growth and expansion across the U.S., ALDI plans to add 25,000 new jobs in stores, warehouses and offices. ALDI was recently named to Forbes’ list of America’s Best Large Employers and offers employees generous wages and benefits that are higher than the national average for the retail industry. ALDI staff working at least 25 hours per week receive full health insurance benefits and dental coverage, and all ALDI employees are invited to participate in the 401(k) program.

Located adjacent to the historic downtown commercial district, the River West development currently is home to McDonald's, Starbucks, IHOP, CVS, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Centennial Baptist Church, and El Maguey Mexican Restaurant. Colton's Steak House and Warren Clinic are currently under construction and expected to open this Spring. 

A look back at Sand Springs's biggest stories in 2017

/

Sandites enjoy a free concert from The Rogues Five at Riverfest.

From high school athletics to a growing economy and quality of living improvements, the history books will look on 2017 as a pivotal year in Sand Springs. Here's a look back at some of the biggest stories around town. 

Jan. 19 – USDA rolls out new Rural Development loan opportunities for Sand Springs area. – Read More.

Jan. 19 - CPHS Wrestling team pins entire U.S. Grant team in fourteen minutes and two seconds, setting national record for fastest dual won entirely by pin. - Read More. 

Feb. 01 – Ray Brown Park receives $37,000 renovation. – Read More.

Feb. 11 - CPHS Wrestling team wins first-ever Dual State Championship 40-26 over Broken Arrow.  - Read More.

Feb. 25 - Riley Weir, Daton Fix, Jack Karstetter, Beau Bratcher, and Payton Scott win individual State Titles and lead Sand Springs to their first State Wrestling Championship since 1971. - Read More.

Feb. 27 - ALDI grocery store and St. Francis Warren Clinic & Urgent Care announce plans to open new locations in River West Development. ALDI is new to community, Warren Clinic is relocating from Charles Page Boulevard. - Read More.

Mar. 02 - CPHS Womens' Basketball wins Area Championship to advance to State Tournament for first time since 2011. - Read More.

Mar. 06 – Rusty Gunn elected as Board of Education President, Mike Mullins sworn into new term on Board. – Read More.

Mar. 22 – Chinowth and Cohen opens new Prattville location.

Mar. 27 - Sand Springs City Council authorizes new murals and $1.5 million Prattville Fire Station. - Read More.

Apr. 04 – Payless ShoeSource announces shuttering of Sand Springs and Sapulpa locations. – Read More.

Apr. 05 – CPHS Winter Percussion wins State Championship. – Read More.

Apr. 19 – El Maguey Mexican Restaurant relocates to new building in River West. – Read More.

Apr. 20 – Tim Wright, Larry Hurst, and Dr. Stacey Butterfield are inducted into Sand Springs Education Association Hall of Fame. – Read More.

Apr. 22 – Herbal Affair co-founder Sandi Byerly receives Hometown Hero Award. – Read More.

May 02 - Individual Career Academic Plan bill authored by Jadine Nollan is signed into law. - Read More.

May 08 - Mike Burdge elected to 12th term as Mayor, Beau Wilson elected as Vice-Mayor. - Read More.

May 12 - Morgan Ganem releases new album, Paradise. - Read More.

May 13 - Aden Baughman wins 800-meter Track State Championship, Cheyenne Walden wins eighth and ninth State Championships. - Read More.

May 13 – Sand Springs graduates 392 in Class of 2017 – Read More.

May 16 - Hannah Rose releases More Than Conquerors EP. - Read More.

May 21 - CPHS Fishing Club wins Oklahoma Bass Nation State Championship. - Read More.

May 26 – Dog and Duck Antiques opens at 21 East 2nd Street, expanding from booth space in Vintage Stables on Main. – Read More.

Jun. 01 – The Ground Floor Salon opens at Village Square.

Jun. 06 – State Senator Dan Newberry resigns seat seven months after reelection. – Read More.

Jun. 08 – OSU Medicine opens in Shops at Adams Road.

Jun. 24 – EuroMotor Extravaganza returns to Sand Springs after five-year hiatus. – Read More.

Jun. 24 – Historic Twin Cities Elementary is demolished after nearly a century. – Read More.

Jun. 26 – Sand Springs City Council evicts Round Up Club from River City Park. – Read More.

Jul. 09 - Janeway Castle Stone Estate & Venue opens in Sand Springs. - Read More.

Jul. 10 - Sand Springs's Janet Johnson named Oklahoma Teacher of the Year finalist. - Read More.

Jul. 11 - James Garrison hired as new CPHS Head Baseball Coach.- Read More.

Jul. 21 – Carter Young wins Cadet Greco-Roman National Championship. – Read More.

Jul. 29 – Aden Baughman wins National Championship in 800-meter run. – Read More.

Aug. 01 – Daton Fix wins Junior Freestyle World Championship. – Read More.

Sep. 09 – Case Community Park unveiled with all-day Riverfest celebration after $6.2 million renovation. – Read More.

Sep. 13 – Edward Jones agent Casey Loper relocates Sand Springs office to new building. – Read More.

Sep. 30 – YellowHouse Market & Boutique relocates to historic downtown Chastain’s building, buying out DejaVu Décor.

Oct. – Prattville Braums and QuikTrip are demolished, work begins on larger, newer facilities. – Read More.

Oct 11. – Colton’s Steak House and Grill breaks ground in River West development. – Read More.

Oct. 21 – CPHS Boys’ Cross Country team qualifies for State for first time in school history. – Read More.

Oct. 27 – Payton Scott sets school rushing record with 507 yards against Bartlesville. – Read More.

Nov. 02 – Stage department store relocates to former May’s Drug Warehouse building. – Read More.

Nov. 04 – It’s Just a Girl Thing Boutique opens in Prattville.

Nov. 08 - OkieSpice & Trade Co. celebrates grand opening in Sand Springs. – Read More.

Nov. 14 – Voters approve $18 million in General Obligation Bond packages. – Read More.

Nov. 14 – Democrat Allison Ikley-Freeman wins Senate District 37 seat vacated by Republican Dan Newberry. – Read More.

Nov. 28 – Downtown Sand Springs hosts inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. – Read More.

Nov. 28 – WSB Homes opens in downtown Sand Springs. – Read More.

Dec. – Philip D. Smith publishes new book, From Praha to Prague. - Read More.

Dec. 01 – Rod’s Books and Relics hosts inaugural Christmas Parade of Books. – Read More.

Dec. 12 – Sand Springs breaks ground on new Prattville Fire Station. – Read More.

Dec. 17 – The House of Hair and Boutique opens on Livi Lee’s Corner. 

Dec. 27 – YellowHouse Market & Boutique, Sarah and Kyle Baumann win inaugural Sandite Pride Christmas Light Contest. – Read More.

Dec. 29 – El Patron Cocina Mexicana opens in Shops at Adams Road. – Read More.

El Patron Mexican Restaurant opens for business in Sand Springs

/

El Patron Cocina Mexicana held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday morning in Sand Springs to commemorate its opening. The new Mexican Restaurant opened its doors for business Thursday, December 28th after an extensive renovation in The Shops at Adams Road. 

Located at 536 Plaza Court, the new restaurant is in the former location of El Maguey Mexican Restaurant, which relocated to the River West shopping center earlier this year.

After El Maguey vacated the building in July, owner Ricardo Munoz spent six months upgrading the facility with new modern decor and a more open-concept layout. The restaurant is managed by Munoz's brother, Ramon. 

El Patron carries an extensive menu of appetizers, fajitas, steak, seafood, and build-your-own nachos, quesadillas, and burritos, They offer create-your-own combos, a la carte, and a kids' menu.

Hours
Sunday - Thursday: 10:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Friday - Saturday: 10:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

El Patron Cocina Mexicana
536 Plaza Court
918-246-7474
www.elpatroncocinamexicana.com
 

Inaugural Sandite Pride Christmas Light Contest Winners Announced!

/

The 2017 Holiday Season is coming to a close and the first Sandite Pride Christmas Light contest drew dozens of entries! The winners of the residential contest, sponsored by SmartStyle Sand Springs's Morgan Miller, is Sarah and Kyle Baumann in Springtree Estates. 

The Baumann household is well strung in beautiful multicolored lights with a purple ambiance. In addition to dozens of lighted candy canes, their yard features an illuminated Santa and sleigh with presents and all eight traditional reindeer, plus Rudolph leading the way. The wooden cutouts are a home-made family heirloom in their third generation, the patterns of which were made in the 1940s. 

The best-dressed Sand Springs business was YellowHouse Market and Boutique at 122 North Main Street. The family-owned and operated business opened in 2016 and relocated to its current location earlier this year. The historic Chastain's building, constructed in 1931, received a major renovation from owners Lisa and Mike Miller. 

Take advantage of post-Christmas clearance sales and load up on Christmas lights for next year! Sandite Pride will continue our light contest in 2018 with more categories and more prizes!

Below are some of our favorite lights around town!

Local authors host book-signing in downtown Sand Springs at Christmas Parade

/

Rod's Books and Relics and the Yesterday Shop in downtown Sand Springs is hosting a Parade of Books to coincide with the Chamber of Commerce 35th Annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade on Friday. 

The antique and used book store will host their first-ever book signing event with former Sand Springs Leader Editor Tara Lynn Thompson and several other local authors. The writers will be set up on the 2nd Street sidewalk in front of The Yesterday Shop from 4:00 p.m. till the conclusion of the parade. 

"As the news editor in Sand Springs for four years, as well as simply a resident for about a decade, I fell in love with Sand Springs," says Thompson. "(I want) to reconnect with Sand Springs and give back to the town that helped me so much in my career." Thompson is the author of the Another Series and has published two books with a third on the way. She released Not Another Superhero in 2015 and Just Another Sidekick this year. 

Michael Staires (Tulsa) will be signing copies of A Long Ride Home, a western novel following Billy Christian and his journey into manhood.

Robert E. Parks will be signing copies of his adventure novel MID Knight. TC Stevens leads a team of undercover FBI agents to prevent an old nemesis from acquiring a weapon of mass destruction. 

Peter Biadasz (Tulsa) will be signing copies of Write Your First Book, a self-help guide to turning good ideas into great books with sections on crafting a story, publishing, marketing and sales, and turning speeches into books. 

Brandon Baumgarten (Oilton) will sign copies of Caught Up & Called Out, a self-help book on how to become the leader you were meant to be. 

Jeff South (Broken Arrow) will be signing copies of children's book Kilroy Was Here, the story of a security guard for a private space portal who has to rescue his coworker and prevent aliens from turning the Earth into a resort. 

Anna Myers (Chandler) will be signing copies of her children's book, The Grave Robber's Secret. Set in nineteenth-century Philadelphia, the novel tells of Robby Hare, son of a grave robber, as he tries to expose a fiendish plot involving his father.

Selena McCroskey (Stillwater) will be signing copies of her children's book Patch, the story of a lonesome little scrap of fabric that ventures across the sewing room floor, looking for a place to belong. 

Peggy Perry Anderson (Tulsa) will be signing copies of her Green Light Readers Level 1 children's books. She has published a dozen titles, including Joe on the Go, Let's Clean Up, Out to Lunch, and Chuck's Truck. 

"Rod, his wife Cyndi, and I area all hoping this becomes the first of many years to come of holding a Parade of Books," said Thompson. Each author's table will be decorated with Christmas lights and authors will be answering questions, shaking hands, and offering their wisdom and advice to other aspiring writers. 

The Christmas parade will begin at 7:00 p.m. and the authors will be on hand throughout the event.