I was wondering if you could give an update on the construction progress at the old Kmart plaza since the new Dollar Tree has opened and it looks like that Ollie’s will be opening soon. Also, what is the status of Taco Bueno? At first i thought it was closed due to Covid-19 but now it looks like it’s permanently closed.
The background: In October 2019 the Bartlesville City Council approved the expenditure of $203,830 for development of the former Kmart building, located on U.S. Highway 75 in Bartlesville. The 90,000-square-foot building had been vacant since Kmart closed its doors in October 2017. The incentive funding allowed developer Jeremy Foraker of Foraker Company of Oklahoma City to recruit business for the vacant building including Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, Burkes Outlet and Tuesday Morning, as well as an expansion/relocation of Dollar Tree, previously located on Highway 75.
The update: According to Bartlesville Development Authority President David Wood, the redevelopment of the former Kmart facility is progressing as planned. He said the status of Tuesday Morning is unknown due to the company filing bankruptcy since the developer entered into their lease agreement, and that the outcome of the Bartlesville location will likely be up to the bankruptcy trustee.
Wood said there has been a “pause” placed on the Jimmy’s Egg/Bricktown Brewery construction post-Covid-19 with further information to be announced at a later date, though Wood noted the restaurant operator has purchased the outparcel so substantial investment has already been made.
According to the City of Bartlesville Community Development Department, Ollies has been issued a Certificate of Occupancy, known as a “CO” in planning and permit circles, so it could open as early as this week or next.
It is important to note incentives approved by the City Council are payable upon Certificate of Occupancy for specified brands, so the BDA “has protected the community’s investment,” Wood said.
Regarding Taco Bueno, neither the Community Development nor the BDA has received information regarding the restaurant’s status. As of early Tuesday, calls to the local store went unanswered and the company’s corporate office had not responded to inquiries via their website.