The always-popular Sip, Savor & Shop: Taste of Claremore returns to downtown Claremore on April 30, offering an opportunity to sample local fare while enjoying the shopping offered in the downtown district.

The three-hour food and shopping stroll begins at 6 p.m. and spans the three blocks of downtown along Will Rogers Boulevard.

Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 on the day-of while children five years and younger who are sampling off an adult’s plate are free. Tickets will go on sale in the participating downtown stores mid-April.

In addition to the food and shopping, the evening will feature a variety of sidewalk entertainment by talented local musicians.
​We are really excited about the Taste of Claremore this year,” said Jessica Jackson, Claremore Main Street Executive Director. “It is a perfect event to showcase the great shopping opportunities downtown as well as the wonderful dining options and local talent we have here in Claremore. It’s truly an event for all the senses!”

In 2015, more than 25 local restaurants and wineries set up inside various downtown stores and businesses, showcasing samples to the hundreds of people sipping, savoring and shopping.

Jeannie Smith, owner of The Grapevine in downtown Claremore, is a member of the event’s planning committee and said this event is one of her favorites downtown has to offer.

“It brings the community together in a fun and relaxing family atmosphere, all while discovering what our downtown has to offer,” Smith said.

Sip, Savor & Shop: Taste of Claremore is family-friendly, but also a great date night option or a fun girls’ night activity, said Dell Davis, President and CEO of the Claremore Area Chamber of Commerce.

“We love any occasion to bring the musicians from the area out to show off the talent we have right here in Rogers County,” Davis said. “This is just a great event for families, couples or anyone who loves Claremore and all it has to offer.”

Sip, Savor & Shop: Taste of Claremore is hosted by Claremore Main Street and the Claremore Area Chamber of Commerce, both of which are non-profit organizations in town. Proceeds of the event go to support the organization’s individual missions.

It is sponsored by the City of Claremore, moreClaremore.com and RCB Bank.

For more information, including a list of restaurants, musicians and participating stores as the event draws closer, tap here or call Claremore Main Street at 918-341-5881.

The downtown Claremore EGGS-Travaganza offers customers a chance to get discounts or prizes at other downtown stores or a piece of Easter candy just for shopping local.

The EGGS-Travaganza will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 19, one week before Easter.

Shoppers can visit participating stores during that time for a chance to draw an egg from a basket. Some eggs will have candy, while others may offer a prize or discount from another participating store. Discounts and prizes are good that day only.
Participating stores to date are: Outwest Home Décor, The Grapevine, LoliPop A Sweet Boutique, Iron & Pottery Connections, Dorothy’s Flowers, The Burlap Closet, The District on Main, Vintique Charm, Rhapsody Faith and Fashion, Homeward Bound, The Cozy Cottage, The Willow Tree, The Cranberry Merchant and She Brews Coffee House. Other stores are expected to participate as well.

Visit the Facebook event!

Claremore Main Street, Claremore Chamber of Commerce and Claremore Expo Center are excited to present an outstanding group of celebrities and activities for the upcoming March 12-13 show.

Randy Oitker Precision Archery Shooter will have two performances both days of the show, hosted by Bill’s Sporting Goods. Randy is a true archer, no tricks-no illusions. His shots are done with stock compound bows and equipment.

Randy has performed on Jimmy Kimmel Show, America’s Got Talent, is currently a regular on the Outdoor Channel TV Show-Shooting USA’s impossible shots. Randy is the first archer to be featured on a Topps Trading Card. He travels more than 40,000 miles a year performing for audiences. Randy currently holds four Guinness World Records, 17 National Archery titles, two NABH World Championships and three NABH Shooter of the Year Awards.

In addition to Oitker the Outdoor Sporting Expo will have an outstanding celebrity lineup, which includes BASS Angler Terry Butcher, Bow Hunter and Outdoor writer Eddie Claypool, Lincoln Tapp, teenage hunter from YoungWild.TV, Champion Noodlers, Colby & Terry Morrow, Crappie expert Dale York, professional fishing guides Chuck & Chase Deveraux and America’s favorite whitetail deer hunter Roger Raglin. [Full schedule of events]

New to this year’s Outdoor Sporting Expo on Saturday is deer head scoring and a 3D Archery competition for adults and youth. Certified experts for Boone & Crockett, Pope and Young and Cy Curtis will be on hand to measure your buck and record.

3D Archers will have the opportunity to win cash prizes and a choice of 3D target. Four-hour registration begins at 9 a.m. Shooters may begin following registration. [3D Target Competition rules and regulations]

Kids can experience archery fun of their own with the hands-on Right On Target -Archery in Schools Program, a catch-and-release fishing pond, sling shot and more.

Admission is $10 per adult, Veterans, seniors 65 and older and youth are only $6. Children 10 years and younger get into the show for free with an adult. Families can attend Sunday and enjoy the half-price Family Day promotion.

Show hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.mm on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Outdoor Sporting Expo is sponsored by Hillcrest Hospital Claremore, Grand River Dam Authority, Tulsa RV Sales & Services, Suburban Chevrolet, Nabatak Outdoors, RCB Bank, Bill’s Sporting Goods and Bennett’s Route 66 Pharmacy. Exhibitor and show information, visit www.outdoorsportingexpo.com.

Two downtown Claremore businesses are in the Top 3 for a total of four categories for Oklahoma Main Street Center’s annual statewide awards, the Center announced this week.

The Burlap Closet is a finalist for Best Building/Business Branding as well as Best Visual Merchandising while North Block Common was announced as a finalist for Best Façade Rehabilitation Under $10,000 and Best Interior Design Project.

The winners will be announced at the 27th annual Main Street Awards Banquet on May 3 in Oklahoma City. More than 250 nominations were submitted in all the categories across the state.

“We are honored to have two great businesses represented and to have four good chances to bring home a first-place prize,” said Jessica Jackson, Claremore Main Street Director. “All of our businesses are special, and it’s wonderful to see these two honored by the state.”
The Best Visual Merchandising category features businesses that have a unique way of showcasing their items. At The Burlap Closet, 405 W. Will Rogers Blvd., shoppers will find clothes and accessories hanging for a chair on the wall or inside an antique hutch, purchased from a neighboring downtown store.

The store maintains a rustic-chic look throughout with wood pallets on the wall and modern furniture on the ground for visitors to rest.

The inside mirrors the outside, which is why it is no surprise the store was also recognized for Best Building/Business Branding, which focuses on exterior signage and displays.

Their sign features an eclectic mix of non-traditional materials such as reclaimed lumber, oversized rusted tin letters and industrial lighting, which provide a visual identity unlike any other.

Additionally, owner Katrina Pope remodeled the exterior single-pitch roofline faced and updated the exterior siding to enhance the entire visual appeal on the outside.

Façade rehabilitation downtown is also why North Block Common, 115 N. Missouri Ave., is seeing state recognition for Best Façade Rehabilitation Under $10,000. Brother and sister owners Robert Melton and Amy Gordon purchased the building they later learned was owned by their great-grandfather, George Melton.

The total renovation included removing the white paint from the brick and restoring an exterior ghost sign that was discovered. The clean look of the building preserves its historic significance while updating to a modern feel.

The inside was completely gutted and re-envisioned by the owners, who turned the 3,500 square-foot building into a co-working and meeting space and a state finalist for Best Interior Design Project. North Block Common is also home to moreClaremore.com.

The interior design features a mix of the old and the new, including a five-foot canvas print of George Melton from the 1940s juxtaposed with a lively purple couch and mid-century modern leather chairs.

Further, old pieces of wood were converted to tables and wall art while antique Claremore posters were used as additional decoration.