After working for a heart doctor for 21 years, Joyce Johnson had a new vision: a Christian book and music store and ministry.

“The need to reach people and have a ministry,” she explained as her reasons for beginning True Gospel in Bartlesville 32 years ago. “It’s not just a store. It’s my life and my ministry.”

True Gospel II opened its doors in Claremore again in March after a hiatus while owner Joyce concentrated on her store in Owasso. The store, which used to be in NeMar Center, is now at 322 W. Will Rogers Blvd.

“We decided to come back. I know there’s a need over here. I know because I hear a lot of it in Owasso,” Joyce said. “Our whole motto is ‘one more soul, one more song.’”

​Guests at True Gospel II can find Bibles, books, CDs, gifts, gift baskets, church supplies as well as kids, youth and teen items. Each category is neatly packed into its own room within the store – perfect for quickly locating your item or browsing through the rooms.
​
“We not only carry the new releases and best sellers but also we carry the older classics, especially in music,” Joyce said.

She’s able to have both stores, she said, because she’s blessed with good help at each location that allows her to go between the two.

“God has put us downtown for a lot of reasons,” she said. “The reason I wanted Claremore was because I knew they needed a Christian book store. I felt the need. The Lord just opened the door so we could be downtown.”

Additionally, the music ensemble Joyce Johnson and Friends can be found on 99.5 FM radio every Sunday morning and CDs of the group can be purchased at the store.

She said one of things that sets True Gospel II apart from big chain stores is the personal touches, helping a customer or offering to pray with someone.

“[I love] serving people, meeting new people and making friends, that’s the biggest thing,” Joyce said.

True Gospel II is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except on Wednesdays, when the store closes at 5 p.m.

Robert Melton II and Amy Gordon grew up in the car sales business.

As fourth-generation Meltons, Rob and Amy remember summers pulling weeds along the sidewalk near their father’s car lot in downtown Claremore.

Today, the brother and sister duo work together, along with five other family members, to run the now 70-year-old company, Melton Sales, 200 N. Lynn Riggs Blvd.

Rob and Amy work closely with each another and well with their father, uncle and cousins to run, each bringing a separate strength to the table.

Rob, the general manager, said his parents actually discouraged them from joining the family business. After attending the University of Arkansas, he started leaning toward working in poultry sales in the state.
“I realized it was either selling chickens or selling cars, and I had the fuel in my blood,” he explained. “I didn’t realize it until being away, and probably if my parents had pushed me to do this, I would not be here.”

Amy, however, said she always knew she would come back. After a few years in fashion merchandising post-college, she returned and is now the operations manager.

In the late 1990s, the Internet began to revolutionize the way car sales worked, and Melton Sales was at the cutting edge of it as one of the first five dealers to put its inventory online. In fact, it was the first to list prices.

“It blew people’s minds,” Amy said.

Listing at a lower cost than many competitors, Melton Sales began selling all over the country through the internet. While those sales still come in, Rob and Amy have since refocused back to their roots here in Rogers County.

“We want to be able to serve the people that are here locally,” Amy said. “Our goal is to sell to the Green Country community and Claremore.”

In addition to selling new and used vehicles, the company provides full service maintenance and repairs on all makes and models. Additionally, Melton Xpress Lube is open six day a week with no appointment necessary.

Tires and auto accessories are also available at Melton. In April, the business is running a “Buy 3, Get 1 Free” deal on tires.

While the car sales business isn’t without its hardships, Amy said there is nothing like the buzz of a busy showroom to keep her spirits up and the love for her job intact.

“There’s nothing like the highs,” she said.

Sitting in a pew at church in January of 2011, Kim Prock’s life changed.

The announcement had been made that Hope Harbor, a home for at-risk youth just outside Claremore, would be opening a resale store in downtown Claremore.

“I had been wondering, ‘what should I be doing with my life,’ … so I signed up to volunteer,” said Kim, the manager at Thrift Harbor, 316 W. Will Rogers Blvd. “I slowly realized this was where I needed to be, and it’s been good.”

Proceeds from Thrift Harbor in Claremore, and their brand new location in Bartlesville, benefit Hope Harbor.

The vision for Hope Harbor began in 1947 as the Turley Children’s Home. The mission is to serve at-risk youth and their families. Boys and girls in the program live at different cottages, attend school and receive counseling all on the Hope Harbor campus. Additionally, parents receive training and support to strengthen and stabilize the home environment.

“I grew up knowing about it. My grandpa was a supporter of it when I was a little girl, and he’d … say a portion of this goes to Turley Children’s Home,” Kim said. “It’s kind of nice to think that your grandfather had something to do with it 50 years ago.”

Kim helped get the store up and running while working at Chico’s in Tulsa, but when she was asked to become the manager of Thrift Harbor, she took the opportunity.

The store celebrated its fifth birthday in March of this year. It was voted the Best Resale Store in Rogers County in 2015.

“I wanted it to not only benefit Hope Harbor; I wanted it to be a good thing for the Claremore community,” she said. “Clothes can make you feel good … I think we are doing what my personal mission was to really help people who couldn’t afford new items to feel better about themselves.”

“We try to put out clothing that we would put our own children or ourselves in,” she added.

Kim said she regularly hears stories about how the reduced prices at Thrift Harbor for Christmas or back-to-school items have allowed local families to reallocate funds to family time or other necessities.

“I hear stories just about every week. It inspires me to think that this store really helps budgets and for people to be able to afford nice pieces,” she said.

Further, she said she loves seeing the liveliness of downtown Claremore change and grow in the last five years.

“We’ve grown a lot in the five years we’ve seen downtown and I can see that it’s going to continue,” she said. “Now, it’s real exciting to see all the cute boutiques and all that’s happening down here. Anytime you have all this growth down here, it creates all this energy.”

Thrift Harbor accepts donations of almost kinds. For various reasons, employees cannot accept mattresses, baby car seats, helmets, TVs or gas-powered items. The store, however, always needs more knick-knacks and decorations, Kim said.

Follow Thrift Harbor on Facebook!

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.

With prom and bridal season right around the corner, ladies in the area can rejoice in the fact that they can shop local for that perfect dress to complement their special night.

Red Hot Designs, 103 N. Cherokee Ave., is now open in downtown Claremore and owner Brenda Bryant said making sure her customers leave with their ideal gown is the key.

“I like to pick up the lines that not everybody carries because when these girls are on the hunt for a prom dress, the most important thing is helping them find the dress that they love and nobody else is going to have,” she said.

The store has a dress registry, so if a girl purchases a prom dress and registers it, Brenda will not sell that same dress to anyone else going to the same prom.

​“I love the thrill of helping them find the dress,” she said. “When they come out of the dressing room … I’m watching the facial expression because those eyes and the corner of the mouth tell everything.”

Brenda doesn’t work on commission and is not going to sell a dress just to make a quick buck. It’s about finding the right dress.
“We try to make it fun,” she said. “I’m not going to push somebody to purchase a dress that they aren’t loving.”

In addition to prom dresses, the store carries wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, flower girl and ring barrier attire and jewelry as well has tuxedo rental – it’s truly a one-stop shop.

Red Hot Designs does not require an appointment during regular store hours but will open after hours by appointment only.

When she was younger, Brenda said she enjoyed sketching dresses and even designed and sewed her own wedding gown. A few years later, she made the bridesmaid dresses for her brother’s wedding.

She started selling clothes in festivals and shows and eventually began a storefront in Collinsville in 2011, selling more casual clothing. When a nearby dress shop closed, she took the opportunity to purchase the inventory.

“And I’ve just had fun ever since,” she said.

After three and a half years in Collinsville, she moved her store to Tulsa for about a year. There, she met a friend who helped lead her to downtown Claremore – Sheila Giannelli, owner of Vintique Charm, 323 W. Will Rogers Blvd.

Vintique Charm’s second location was right next door to Red Hot Designs in Tulsa, so when the building at 103 N. Cherokee came available, Sheila mentioned it to her friend.

“I wanted to get back up to the smaller towns, up north,” Brenda explained. “I love it back up toward the smaller towns because it’s more personal, you get to visit with them a little more.”

Red Hot Designs is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
​
Follow Red Hot Designs on Facebook!

Years ago, Cari Bohannan and her business partner, Susan Todd, open a furniture painting booth in a downtown Claremore antique store.

That business transformed to the posh boutique at 407 W. Will Rogers Blvd., The District on Main.

“The store was available, and it kind of took off from there,” she said. “We went into full retail and it just sort of evolved from there. We try to get exclusive brands that are only available here in Claremore.”

Some of the exclusive brands they carry are Rustic Cuff, Brighton, Kendra Scott, Frye Boots, Lenny and Eva, Tribal and Lilly Pulitzer.

When she opened the store in 2012, then named Nesting Necessities, downtown Claremore had several empty storefronts, and Cari wanted to change that.
“People that are from here didn’t come downtown,” she said. “I felt like there needed to be life brought back to downtown, make it part of a shopping experience, a destination … And now it’s where a lot of the locals come to do their shopping and buy all their gifts.”

The store’s name changed on its first birthday because the store had morphed into a boutique and the name no longer matched the business, Cari said. She is now the sole owner of the boutique.

Cari said her favorite part about owning a store is the customers she gets.

“The people interaction, getting to meet new people, helping them find the perfect gift or the perfect outfit,” she added.

There’s another change on the horizon for The District on Main. While it will remain its high-end boutique qualities, Cari will be moving her store across the street to 406 W. Will Rogers Blvd.

This month, she bought the building where Nostaglia Nook was located and plans to remodel it to restore it to a more original state – preserving the ghost wall on the west side, saving the tin ceiling and conserving other features of the 107-year-old building.

The goal for the entire project is to be done with the rehab and move The District on Main by October.

“I want to bring it back to its glory. Give it new life,” she said.

Follow The District on Main on Facebook!

A few months ago, Jennifer Coker was a partially retired orthopedic nurse, but opportunity after opportunity presented itself to her, and she’s now the owner of one of the newest downtown Claremore retail stores.

Jennifer opened Iron & Pottery Connection, 321 W. Will Rogers Blvd., on Feb. 11, a mere two-and-a-half weeks after signing the lease on the space.

“I call it a God moment. My husband and I just happened to turn down the street and drive down there and saw that it was empty,” she said. “We weren’t really planning on doing it this early, but when the door is open and you’re being kicked through, you take it.”

The store features Mexican imports, including a variety of chimeneas, home décor, wall art and outdoor garden pieces. Prices range from $5 to several hundred for the larger items.

Every piece is handpicked from Mexico by Jennifer and her husband, Colbie. They make the trek south as often as needed to when merchandise gets low and cash allows it.

​“When we start craving the Mexican food,” she joked.

The merchandise is not cookie-cutter, mass produced items, so the chances of them finding the same thing twice is rare for the couple, and in turn, for customers.

“We never keep the same thing. What might be here today may never be back,” Colbie said. “It usually takes 3-4 days … sometimes it depends on how deep you have to go, too.”

The open building wasn’t the first opportunity afforded to Colbie and Jennifer. Colbie’s parents decided to retire in September from a business selling similar items and offered to sell Jennifer the inventory.

She opened a tent on Highway 20 the following month. While the store had frequent visitors, it was a nightmare to set up and break down the roadside tent every day.

“We had a lot of traffic,” Jennifer said. “It had its pros and cons being there. It was pretty busy the times we were there when the weather would allow us.”

The November weather, however, didn’t offer the business much time to be open. After fighting the weather and wind for two months, Jennifer had had enough.

“So I gave one to Mother Nature and decided to end it all,” she said. “When this space opened, it was like ‘OK, this is it. We’ve got to take it.’”

Now no longer fighting the forces of an unforgiving Mother Nature, the store is open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.

Follow them on Facebook!