There’s a change coming for two of downtown Claremore’s dining establishments that will prove to protect a historic building while continuing to serve up delicious lunch to the citizens of Rogers County.

​Claremore’s landmark restaurant The Pink House is moving into the first-floor dining rooms of the historic Belvidere Mansion, combining the exceptional dining experience that Claremore has come to expect from The Pink House restaurant while enjoying the vintage charm of the beautiful Belvidere Mansion. . The Pink House will open in its new location at 121 N. Chickasaw on Oct. 2.

The Belvidere Restaurant & Tea Room will close its doors after lunch on Sept. 9.

​”We thank the many volunteers and staff members who have served at the Belvidere Restaurant & Tea Room with such commitment over the past decade and greatly appreciate their years of service and dedication to the mansion, the historical society, and the Claremore community,” the Rogers County Historical Society said in a statement. “We also appreciate the many loyal friends we have made.  It’s been an honor to serve you.”

RCHS owns the Belvidere Mansion. The Belvidere Mansion and Gift Shop will remain open during business hours, and the third -floor ballroom is available for banquet and party rentals.

Additionally, RCHS will continue to sponsor fundraising events at the Belvidere, including a Mystery Dinner Theater on Oct. 13-14, a haunted house on Oct. 26-28, and Christmas at the Belvidere in November and December.

Area women should mark their calendars for the 12th annual Leading Ladies Expo, formerly called Ladies Lifestyle, slated for the evening of Oct. 12.

Hosted from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Claremore Conference Center at 1400 Country Club Drive, the event features shopping, massages, hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants, wine samples, a health seminar by presenting sponsor Hillcrest Hospital, a selfie station and giveaways every half hour.

“It’s such a fun event for local ladies to come out with their friends, sisters and daughters to enjoy a night out,” said Jessica Jackson, director of Claremore Main Street, one of the event’s hosts. “The best part, however, is when we get to honor local women with the Leading Ladies Awards.”

The awards honor seven women in the community who go above and beyond the call of duty and are nominated by their peers. All nominations are then sent out of town for judging.
The third annual Leading Ladies Awards will be presented by News on 6’s LeAnne Taylor, a local news anchor and breast cancer survivor.

There are seven categories: Behind the Scenes, Business Leadership, Community Supporter, Leader in Health, Nonprofit Leadership, Rising Star and Leading Lady of the Year.

Nominations are due by Sept. 19. Nomination forms can be found online here or by visiting the Claremore Chamber of Commerce, 419 W. Will Rogers Blvd.

The health seminar will be presented by Utica Park Clinic. More details to come as we get closer to the event.

New this year, the Leading Ladies Expo is selling corporate tables for $250. The tables offer eight seats as a place to enjoy the hors d’oeuvres and watch the awards ceremony. Call the Chamber at 918-341-2818 to book your corporate table.

General admission tickets are $10 and include the health seminar, a chance to win a number of door prizes, shopping opportunities, food and wine samples and standing room for the awards ceremony. Advanced tickets can be purchased at the Chamber office during regular business hours beginning Sept. 15.

The event is still accepting vendor applications, but space is limited. Vendors are encouraged to apply early to secure a spot. Vendor applications can be downloaded online here.

“Our sponsors make this event possible,” Davis said. “We are so appreciative of the support of our presenting sponsor, Hillcrest Hospital, as well as our nine major sponsors.”

Major sponsors of this year’s event are A&B Bail Bonds, Autumn Wood, BancFirst, Carol’s Place Hair & Nail Salon, Northeast Tech, The Pink House, RCB Bank, Tulsa Federal Credit Union and Wallace for Life.

The event is hosted by the Claremore Area Chamber of Commerce and Claremore Main Street, nonprofit organizations designed to better improve the quality of life in Rogers County and enhance business success in the area.

For additional information about the show or to register as a vendor, please call the Claremore at (918) 341-2818 or Main Street at (918) 341-5881.

Several downtown Claremore businesses have teamed up and are hosting a school supply drive to help ease the transition back to school for many.

Shoppers can donate school supplies to Claremore, Sequoyah or Verdigris schools at any of the 11 participating downtown stores through Aug. 31 – Food Truck Thursday’s School Daze event. Many stores offer discounts in exchange for a donation.

The donations will be taken to the schools to be distributed as necessary, particularly to those families most in need of help.

“This is our way of giving back to the community that supports our local, small businesses,” said Sheila Giannelli, owner of Vintique Charm & Boutique, 512 W. Will Rogers Blvd. “The schools need a little extra right now. Most of us are parents, and we get it. We just want what’s best for the children.”

Giannelli is the president of the Downtown Claremore Merchants Association, an organization of committed downtown business owners who work to improve foot traffic and economic vitality downtown. The association is hosting the drive.

Participating stores are: The Burlap Closet, The Cozy Cottage, The District on Main, Dorothy’s Flowers, Frosted Artisan Cake Studio, The Grapevine, LoliPop: A Sweet Boutique, Outwest Home Décor, Sailor Antiques & Collectibles, Vintique Charm and Willow Tree Mall.

Additionally, Crystal Pistols Boutique/Mom & Pops Ceramic Shoppe & More will be collecting school supplies for Justus-Tiawah Schools all month long.

Rhapsody Boutique & Spa has special discounts depending on the item donated at their store. They are collecting for Claremore’s Claremont Elementary School through Aug. 15. On Saturday during Tax Free Weekend, Rhapsody hosted free back-to-school haircuts.

The final day to donate to the school supply drive will coincide with Food Truck Thursday’s School Daze. The outdoor event features live music, a free Kids Zone by Cedar Point Church, late shopping, more than 15 food trucks and a ton of fun. It runs from 6-9 p.m. Aug. 31 in downtown Claremore.