Nestled into a new storefront, Urban Furnishings is adding its stamp of uniqueness to the creative collection of merchants popping up in the Kendall Whittier area.
Owner Rebecca Joskey moved her shop during the Labor Day weekend from 37th Street and Peoria Avenue to the historic Rowlinson Building on Admiral Boulevard.
"It's en emerging corridor of creative businesses here," Joskey said. "We hit the jackpot."
Not only is there an underlying current of cooperativeness about the area, but also it's less expensive from a business standpoint, easily accessible and provides room for growth. Unloading furniture also is much easier than it was in Brookside, where the traffic causes congestion, Joskey said.
"A lot of people were kind of surprised that we moved down here because we own the property on Brookside. But this is, as everyone mentioned, a creative corner that's emerging. That's what brought me down here," she said.
A ribbon-cutting was held Friday to welcome Urban Furnishings to the neighborhood. Joskey joins fellow merchants Loose Leaf, Marjorie Atwood Fine Art, Tallgrass Gypsy Studio, Guitar Technical Services, Art by Etta Mae and Pancho Anaya Bakery in setting up shop on Admiral Boulevard in the past 12 months.
Urban Furnishings' site, about 1,700 square feet with 16-foot ceilings, is about the same size as the store's former location. But Joskey, who also is an artist, said she loves the physical space with light that filters in through windows on the north and south sides of the building.
She hopes to turn the back part of the store into an art studio where she can work. Some of her pieces hang in the store, including large painted mosaics.
The move to a new location coincides with Urban Furnishings' 20th anniversary. Joskey, who has a degree in fashion merchandising, said she loves what she does, as well as the customers, who travel from other parts of Oklahoma and from as far as Arkansas and Missouri to visit her shop.
The boutique furniture store sells unique and contemporary sofas, chairs, tables and art. It also is the only authorized dealer of the Natuzzi Italia line of furnishing in Oklahoma.
Joskey's friend and fellow artist Marjorie Atwood moved her business to the Kendall Whittier area in March.
"There's just something about the energy of these historic districts and the potential," Atwood said. "It's got just such a great feeling."
Having her friend in the area also makes it more fun.
"Being an artist can be rather solitary. So, it's nice to be able to go say 'Hi' and have a cup of coffee and catch up," Atwood said.
Standing outside of Urban Furnishings, Atwood joined friends, nearby retailers and local officials who gathered to officially welcome Joskey and her store to the neighborhood.
Ed Sharrer, executive director of Kendall Whittier Main Street, was among those welcoming the new merchant.
"There was a time when development moved to the south and east and to the suburbs, and retail tends to follow rooftops," he said. "The area went into decline.
"There have been a lot of pioneers, and people who've worked very hard to help make this a thriving district. There are several businesses that are coming and work that is being done to the buildings."
On Sept. 21 from 5 to 9 p.m., Kendall Whittier will celebrate the new store with Sofa Art - a fun, funky event that combines Joskey's two passions: furniture and art.
The street festival, which will take place in front of Urban Furnishings at 2306 E. Admiral Blvd., will feature secondhand upholstered furniture that has been transformed into works of art by local artists.
Sharrer noted that Clint Ring and Ron Edwards, who are the property owners of the building that houses Urban Furnishings, have gone to great lengths to restore the building to its original appearance.
The door is a replica of the original entry. The 45-degree-angle etched copper pieces that hold in the storefront windows were salvaged and are original to the 1929 building, Sharrer said.
City Councilor Blake Ewing voiced enthusiasm about the area's revival.
"Almost everything that seems to be happening here centers around creativity - from the Tulsa Girls Art School to the Fab Lab to the Circle Cinema," he said. "You've got one thing after another centered around the arts and creativity.
"When the creative people feel welcome, that's the best start to anything - the best start to revitalization and renewal. Creative people can see an old building, and they don't see it as an old building, they see it as an opportunity for something special, and that's what we've seen here."
Said Joskey: "We're happy to be here, and we feel like our business will thrive. ... We look forward to kind of nestling into this area."
Sofa Art
What: Rebecca Joskey, owner of Urban Furnishings, and Kendall Whittier Main Street have asked local artists to transform secondhand upholstered furniture into works of art. The street festival, which is free and open to the public, also will feature food, drinks and live music. The sofa art creations will be for sale via silent auction throughout the evening. Sale proceeds will go to the artists.
When: Sept. 21 from 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: In front of Urban Furnishings, 2306 E. Admiral Blvd., half a block west of Lewis Avenue.
Participating artists: Joseph Buchanan, Lanette C. Clark, Lisa Regan, Janet Davie, Cynthia Brown, Mary Jane Porter, Tulsa Girls Art School, FURN, Clary Sage College, Undercroft Montessori, Tulsa Fire Department and McIntosh Group LLC.
A panel of judges will score all entries and award a $500 cash prize to the best in show.
Laurie Winslow 918-581-8466
laurie.winslow@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: Kendall Whittier gaining merchants
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