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.

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.

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!

Organizers call Inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony a success

/

Mayor Mike Burdge speaks at the Inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

The Holiday Season kicked off with a bang Tuesday night in downtown Sand Springs as larger-than-expected crowds turned out for the first known Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in town history. 

The inaugural event drew more than a thousand attendees to shop local, eat local, and watch Mayor Mike Burdge flip the ceremonial switch to kick off the 2017 Christmas season. 

The event grew from seed to harvest in a mere three weeks after local cosmetologist Joni Sporleder invited fellow business owners to her shop, Joni's on the Triangle, earlier this month. Representatives from Blush Hair Salon, YellowHouse Market & Boutique, Rod's Books and Relics, the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce, Sandite Pride News, Dog and Duck Antiques, and Yesterday To Now Antiques were joined by realtor Jennifer Barretto and Santa Claus entertainer Glen Burkett to brainstorm and begin the rushed planning process.

More than 3,000 lights illuminate a tree at the downtown Triangle for the Inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

The Sand Springs Parks Department graciously and meticulously decorated a tree on the Triangle with more than 3,000 lights, wrapping every single branch. 

Mrs. Marshall's Voice Studio and Olivet Baptist Church choir led the town in Christmas caroling while Three Feather's Catering, Lee's Charburgers, Monie Horsechief Indian Tacos, and Kettle Treats fed the crowd. 

Many downtown members of the newly-formed Small Business Coalition will be open later hours on Tuesdays from now on, and the success of the event has the organization planning future entertainment on the Triangle. In addition to looking at festivities for the holidays, they also want to host concerts throughout the year. 

The Christmas festivities will continue downtown this Friday beginning with the Inaugural Parade of Books at Rod's Books and Relics at 4:00 p.m. More than a dozen local authors will be selling books, giving autographs, and answering questions from fans, supporters, and aspiring writers. At 7:00 p.m. the 35th Annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade will meander through downtown.

Inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony to kick off at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday

/

This Tuesday marks what many Sand Springs residents and business owners hope will become an annual tradition. A tree in the downtown Triangle Park has been decked out in more than 3,000 lights and at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Mike Burdge will flip the switch to kick off the holiday season.

Originally the brain child of Joni Sporleder, the event has been coordinated by the City Parks Department, Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce, and the newly-formed Sand Springs Small Business Coalition. 

As part of the City of Sand Springs's ongoing efforts to brand Sand Springs as a tourist destination, several small business owners and concerned citizens have made it a goal to promote holiday activities throughout the month of December and to try and draw shoppers and diners back to the heart of the community.

From 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mrs. Marshall Voice Studio choir will be caroling, then the Olivet Baptist Church choir will take over from 6:45 to 7:00. Mayor Burdge will speak and turn on the lights, then Olivet will resume caroling till 7:30. 

From 6:00 to 8:00 WSB Homes will host Birch Studio and artist Jade Crawford along with cocoa and hot cider. The architecture company is located on the triangle at 2 East Broadway Street.

Joni's on the Triangle hair salon will have cookies and hot chocolate at 211 North Main Street, and multiple food trucks will be on hand. Three Feathers Catering will be serving up the barbecue recipes made famous by Papa Pat, and Lee's Charburgers will be selling their selections from the historic Lee's Diner.

The Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum will be open with their annual "Art of Giving" Christmas tree display. For $1.00 visitors can vote for their favorite tree, with each tree being sponsored by a local charitable organization. 

Several "Snapped in Sand Springs" photo booths are located downtown, including Beau Wilson Insurance (17 East 2nd Street), Blush Hair and Makeup Lounge (208 North Main Street), Inez Kirk City-Garden Park (101 East Broadway), City Hall (100 East Broadway), Mobley-Groesbeck Funeral Service (211 East Broadway), Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce (1 West 1st Street), Security Finance (15 East 2nd Street), Vintage Stables on Main (115 North Main Street), and YellowHouse Market and Boutique (122 North Main Street). 

A small "Sandite Santa" figurine will be hidden in various businesses around downtown Sand Springs through December 20th. Patrons who find the Santa can take a picture with it and post the photo to the "Shop Small, Sand Springs" facebook page for a chance to win a prize basket. 

A Crafty Christmas will return to the Shops at Adams Road Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. On Friday they will have free Santa photos from 5:00 to 6:00. 

Also on Friday, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Rod's Books and Relics will host their inaugural Parade of Books with more than a dozen local authors doing autographs and taking questions. The 35th Annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade will be that evening at 7:00 p.m. 

SEE RELATED: Downtown Sand Springs to host local authors for Christmas Parade of Books

Small businesses aim to make Sand Springs a Christmas destination

/

Small businesses in downtown Sand Springs have banded together in a Christmas Coalition to promote holiday festivities for the whole month of December.

Beginning November 28th, many downtown businesses will be open later hours every Tuesday leading up to Christmas. The first Tuesday will include caroling, food trucks, and a tree-lighting ceremony with Mayor Mike Burdge at 7:00 p.m. Papa Pat's barbecue and Kettle Treats will be on hand from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

"We want people to eat where they shop and shop where they eat," said Joanna Sporleder, owner of Joni's on the Triangle hair salon. Part of getting people to spend more time in downtown means creating special occasions to draw people in and show them what the town has to offer. 

While the first year of festivities will be limited, the group has big goals for the future. Local Santa Clause Glenn Burkett wants to see OmniTRAX set up some type of Polar Express on the Sand Springs Railroad. Other ideas included a live nativity scene with involvement from the Charles Page High School drama department. 

The coalition also wants to use the festivities as an opportunity to gather donations for organizations like Sand Springs Community Services (SSCS) and the Salvation Army, with businesses offering discounts to patrons who bring in toys and canned foods. "SSCS has been a huge influence in my life," said Sporleder. "I want to try and give back if I can."

SSCS will also be holding a food drive at the Festival of Lights Christmas Parade hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. The 35th annual parade will be held Friday, December 1st with a "Winter Nights and Magical Lights" theme.

The Chamber of Commerce is taking a vested interest in helping out with the coalition and is covering the cost of City Permits and other expenses, as well as helping to coordinate festivities. Keller Williams Realtor Jennifer Fox Barretto, Rod's Books and Antiques owner Rodney Thomas, Dog and Duck Antiques owners Chris and Julie Bedokis, and Yesterday to Now owner Susan Whitley are all involved in the brainstorming and planning. 

OkieSpice & Trade Co. celebrates grand opening in Sand Springs

/

OkieSpice & Trade Co. held a grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting Wednesday afternoon with much fanfare from local business owners and city officials.

Representatives from the City of Sand Springs, Tulsa County, Sand Springs Community Services,  Sand Springs Home, and Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce all came out for the ceremony to wish owners Kim and Steve Zieg good fortune in their new venture. 

Located at 501 West 2nd Street in the former Roary D's Hair Emporium, the new store specializes in spices, seasonings, salsas, and other cooking and novelty items. The products are about 75% made-in-Oklahoma according to Kim. There are smoked cheeses, bottled sodas, summer sausages, candy, decor, and more. 

The Ziegs hope to be a valuable addition to Sand Springs and to draw visitors to their hometown. In addition to renovating a long-vacant building and giving it a fresh curb appeal, they have also commissioned a mural on the side of their building and are members of the Chamber of Commerce. 

The store is open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. They are closed Sunday and Monday. You can reach OkieSpice at 918.514.0045 

SEE RELATED: OkieSpice & Trade Co. to open in north Sand Springs this winter

Sand Springs celebrates Grand Opening of new Stage department store

/

Stage Stores, Inc. opened a new facility in Sand Springs Thursday morning, relocating an existing Stage department store a mere thousand feet across the street from its previous location. Formerly in a storefront at the Atwoods Plaza, the new Stage has expanded to a 14,000 square-foot facility at 651 East Charles Page Boulevard. 

Stage carries hundreds of brands, including Adidas, Chaps, Converse, Dockers, Levi's, Skechers, U.S. Polo Assn., Vanity Fair, Lee, and Tommy Hilfiger.

To celebrate the Grand Opening, the store held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with City, Corporate, and Chamber of Commerce officials, and gave away gift cards to the first 100 customers. Free tote bags and donuts were given away and 25% off coupons were available upon checkout. 

Former the site of May's Drug Warehouse, the new facility is far larger than Stage's previous location and is a standalone building that will be wholly occupied by its new tenants. The building has been unoccupied for several years. 

The new building is located immediately south of the Sand Springs Expressway and is easily accessible via Katy Trail, which runs for 8.5 miles from downtown Tulsa to East 34th Street in Prattville. The new tenants will continue to allow trail-users to park at their facility, providing easy access to the Sand Springs Rotary Centennial Park where the town's namesake Sandy Springs are located.  

Stage Stores operates nearly 800 stores across 42  states under the names Bealls, Palais Royal, Peebles, Gordmans, and Goody's, including 148 with the name Stage. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas, and is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The company claims sales of $1.4 Billion in Fiscal Year 2016 and employs more than 14,000 employees.