Downtown Claremore is one step closer to being placed on the National Register of Historic Places after the nomination was signed off by the state Historical Preservation Review Committee.

The committee unanimously voted to forward Claremore’s nomination on to the National Parks Service, the final stop before the official designation.

Claremore Main Street officials expect to hear the final designation by early October.

“Our volunteers have spent countless hours over the last few years pouring over research on our district’s history to complete the complex narrative for the nomination,” said Jessica Jackson, Claremore Main Street Executive Director. “I couldn’t be more excited to see downtown Claremore within reach of this goal.”

“We are so thankful for our friends at the State Historic Preservation Office for their guidance and assistance throughout this process,” Jackson added.
Dr. Ray Brown, Main Street Treasurer, and former Main Street Director Cindy Bissett spearheaded the project, which resulted in new information and insights about the district.

“When Cindy Bissett approached me about preparing an application for a National Historic Preservation District in Downtown Claremore, I was excited about the opportunity. This seemed to fit right in my wheelhouse,” said Brown, a former vice president at Rogers State University.

“Conducting the research and preparing the application was a challenging but rewarding project. I sincerely enjoyed the project and hope to see more historical renovations downtown,” he added.

As per the nomination, the historic district includes the three blocks of West Will Rogers Boulevard from Lynn Riggs Boulevard to Muskogee Avenue and from 4th Street to the alley between Patti Page and Will Rogers boulevards.

The nomination’s period of significance is from 1890-1955.

Once named to the National Register of Historic Places, downtown Claremore will be protected from federal projects or mandates that may alter the district and building owners have a chance to qualify for 20 percent tax credits for restoration and rehabilitation of their buildings within the district.

“Future prosperity and economic development will depend on using our historical resources and adapting them to meet future needs,” Brown said. “This encourages owners to invest in preservation and renovation of their buildings, which creates for the owners more valuable assets.”

Additionally, the placement on the Register has potential to increase tourist attention, especially among history buffs.

“We took on this project to be able to offer people investing in downtown Claremore the opportunity for the major tax credits and because it is such an honor to be on the National Register of Historic Places,” Jackson said.

Claremore residents can test their ring toss skills this Thursday during this month’s Food Truck Thursday: Downtown Carnival on July 28.

The monthly event, set in downtown Claremore from 6-9 p.m., features live music from Brent Giddens Band, a free Kids Zone by First United Methodist Church, a chance to dunk local celebrities in a dunk tank, more than 10 food trucks and late-night shopping.

“With hundreds of people flocking downtown to enjoy our district each month, the Food Truck Thursday is one of my favorite events,” said Jessica Jackson, director of Claremore Main Street. “We have a little bit of something for everyone with great shopping, food, kids activities and local musicians.”
​The Kids Zone is completely free to attendees, but parents are asked to watch their children while they enjoy the bounce houses, sand castle stations, face painting and carnival games.

In addition to the Kids Zone on the 300 block of W. Will Rogers Blvd., near the band on the other end of downtown will be a balloon animal artist handing out free creations and a dunk tank featuring local faces.

For $5, guests will have three opportunities to dunk State Farm Agent Grant Gingerich, City Councilor Jeff Godwin, Rogers County Sheriff’s Office’s Erica Brown and Joel Smith, moreClaremore.com’s Ashley Orf or compete in the Bedlam Battle – Dr. Steve Elgeston representing the University of Oklahoma or Brent Youngs representing Oklahoma State University.

“The dunk tank is a fun addition to our event and the carnival theme,” Jackson said. “We found your neighbors and community figures who were willing to just have fun with us at this event and put themselves in the hot seat.”

Proceeds from the dunk tank will go to improving subsequent Food Truck Thursdays and beautification of downtown Claremore.

Pokémon Go fans can make use of the five Pokéstops in the district as “lures” will be set up all three hours to help gamers nab some rare Pokémon during the event.

“We see people walking the streets all day and night in search of Pokémon, and we are excited to add in something for the gamers in our event this Thursday,” said Carol Thibodeau, owner of Rhapsody Boutique & Spa, 106 S. Cherokee, and Food Truck Thursday committee chairwoman.

Boarding House Books, 300 W. Will Rogers Blvd., will feature a book signing by local authors Jim Laughter, Tom Yarbrough, Jan Monk, Tammy Mullins and Patricia Harsley.

Several food trucks are scheduled to attend, giving guests a variety of cuisine and desserts. Food trucks include Meltdown Gourmet Grilled Cheese, Dorothy’s Wiches, MooChewSooey BBQ, Taqueria El Jarocho, Papos Latin/American Cafe, Curbside Comfort, Wild Al’s and Jen’s Java.

Additionally, the final Civic Concert will take place in Gazebo Park on Thursday evening. The Claremore Museum of History will be open and will hand out free ice cream sundaes to the first 100 people who show up after 7 p.m.

Many of the downtown stores, which will stay open until 9 p.m., will feature discounts throughout the evening. LoliPop: A Sweet Boutique, 518 W. Will Rogers Blvd., will hand out free cotton candy to the first 100 guests.

There are three other Food Truck Thursday’s remaining this season. Rogers County residents can enjoy CLUE in Downtown Claremore on Aug. 25, I Art Claremore – Downtown Chalk Walk on Sept. 29 and Downtown Zombie Infestation on Oct. 27.

The monthly event is hosted by the Downtown Merchants Group and Claremore Main Street, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the revitalization of the downtown district and reigniting the area as the social core of our community.

Check out the event on Facebook!

Dunk Tank Schedule
6-6:25 p.m. – State Farm’s Grant Gingrich
6:25-6:50 p.m. – Councilor Jeff Godwin
6:50-7:15 p.m. – BEDLAM BATTLE
Brent Youngs (Orange Power!)
7:15-7:40 p.m. – BEDLAM BATTLE
Dr. Steve Elgeston (Boomer Sooner!)
7:40-8:05 p.m. – RC Sheriff’s Office’s Erica Brown
8:05-8:30 p.m. – RC Sheriff’s Office’s Joel Smith
8:30-8:55 p.m. – moreClaremore’s Ashley Orf

One of Claremore’s favorite lunch spots is getting the opportunity to grow and serve more of Rogers County thanks to a donation by Leadership Rogers County.

She Brews Coffee House, 414 W. Will Rogers Blvd., is in the process of their remodel, which will include dining for an additional 30 people and a full-service kitchen.

“We had this vision but Leadership Rogers County became like the fuel behind the vision to make it happen. We honestly could not have done it without their assistance,” said Rhonda Bear, She Brews’ owner. “I’m very grateful.”

Each year, the Leadership Rogers County class raises money with an annual golf tournament to benefit a local nonprofit or cause. The 2016 class unanimously voted to help She Brew’s vision to expand.

“Our class felt that our class project contributing to She Brews was a no-brainer,” said Crystal Campbell, the 2016 Class Leader. “The story of She Brews leads a great example for so many in that together we can make effective changes in the lives around us.”
“Servant leadership is a core value of any great leader and so many of us felt that common bond in Rhonda Bear,” she added.

She Brews isn’t your traditional coffee shop. It’s a ministry that gives previous incarcerated women a chance to get back on their feet and change the path of their lives. Bear also works to reunite the women with their children.

Her program boasts an 85 percent success rate. In October, Bear was named the Leading Lady of the Year in Claremore.

“With the growth, we can increase the number of employees,” Bear said. “They love to tell their stories. What’s going to be neat is that the walls will tell their stories, too.”

The front of the She Brews will have a coffee shop feel, with a barista station and couches. Diners will go farther back to enjoy a traditional dining area. On the walls will be photos of women saved – and their children — through Bear’s mission and a looping video with their stories.

The glass tabletops were donated by Oklahoma Glass & Mirror in Claremore and the TV to display the video was donated by Destiny Life.

Farther back still will be a full kitchen, allowing She Brews to make their staple “She Bread” and their traditional casseroles and dishes on site.

“To be able to support a local business as well as the lives of Oklahoma women and children meant so much to so many in our Leadership class,” Campbell said. “The smiles of the ladies and the heart of Rhonda make it an easy place to love going to and supporting.”

Bear said she hopes to see She Brews reopen in mid-July.

Leadership Rogers County is a program designed to develop the talent and broaden the perspective of future or present community leaders. The program provides practical information, builds networking circles and provides opportunities to serve the community.

“It was great to go through the journey of Leadership Rogers County this last year,” Campbell said. “As a class, we not only got to see more of our community but we made great friendships as well.”

To apply for the 2017 Leadership Rogers County Class or to get more information about the program, visit their website.

Downtown Claremore’s newest store was overrun with people earlier this month as “mobbers” descended to spend $20 and support a local charity in the bimonthly Cash Mob.

The store, True Gospel, 322 W. Will Rogers Blvd., was packed full of shoppers and added $700 to the day’s total in just 45 minutes.

“It was just exciting to see that many people come in our store, see our merchandise, share with us and take some home,” said Joyce Johnson, True Gospel owner. “It’s also nice to see this event serve the community.”

The Cash Mob is hosted by Claremore Main Street. Ten percent of the proceeds from the night were donated to Rogers County Youth Services, the nonprofit chosen by the mobbers on the night of the Cash Mob.

“We appreciate the sacrifices the community makes to our youth and families,” said Steven Blahut, RCYS executive director. “I’m glad to be a part of this community.”

Participants in the Cash Mob agree to attend every other month and spend at minimum $20 at the store chosen at random the night of the event. The goal is to encourage shopping local and the downtown businesses’ success and to support local nonprofits.

The June Cash Mob was the final one for the 2015-16 season. For more information on next year’s Cash Mob events, sign up here.

Break out your hula skirts, Hawaiian shirts and leis for this month’s Food Truck Thursday, a Downtown Luau on June 23.

The Luau, set in downtown Claremore from 6-9 p.m., will feature live music from Bethany Grace & Gypsy Soul, a bunch of delicious food trucks, a hula hoop contest, a Kids Zone by First United Methodist Church and a shopping giveaway.

“The Downtown Hoedown was such a success last month, we are excited to bring the Downtown Luau to Claremore,” said Jessica Jackson, director of Claremore Main Street, one of the partners hosting the monthly event. “The themes are really fun this year and just enhance the already-enjoyable Food Truck Thursday nights in downtown Claremore.”
In addition to the late shopping, visitors will have the opportunity to Find Frankie the Flamingo at participating stores, indicated by a pink flamingo on the outside of the store.

Frankie the Flamingo will be hidden on a card in the store, and when a shopper finds her, they can enter to win a gift basket valued at $300. In addition, every $10 spent at a participating store earns another spot in the drawing.

Finally, those dressed in Hawaiian-themed clothing can get an entry into the drawing as well.

“We thought the Find the Flamingo would be a fun way to add something new to our Food Truck Thursday event in June and encourage people to explore all the wonderful shops we have downtown,” said Carol Thibodeau, owner of Rhapsody Boutique & Spa, 106 S. Cherokee Ave., and the Food Truck Thursday committee chairwoman.

“You will not want to miss the awesome gift basket with goodies generously donated by the downtown stores,” she added.

A hula hoop contest will take place near the stage at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the winners of the contests.

Twelve food trucks are scheduled to attend, giving guests a variety of cuisine and desserts. Food trucks include Meltdown Gourmet Grilled Cheese, Dorothy’s Wiches, MooChewSooey BBQ, Cake Smash, 2 Chefs on Wheels, Creole Catering, Taqueria El Jarocho, Kona Ice, Papos Latin/American Café, Dog House, Jen’s Java and Maw & Paw Kettle Corn.

Claremore’s First United Methodist Church will sponsor a Kids Zone, fitting with the Luau theme.

Boarding House Books, 300 W. Will Rogers Blvd., will host area authors for book signings at their store, including Gloria Teague, Bob Avey, Jonita Mullins and Cynda Thomas.

Many of the downtown stores, which will stay open until 9 p.m., will feature discounts throughout the evening.

Each month has a different theme. Rogers County residents can enjoy the Downtown Carnival on July 28, CLUE in Downtown Claremore on Aug. 25, I Art Claremore – Downtown Chalk Walk on Sept. 29 and Downtown Zombie Infestation on Oct. 27.

Join the Facebook event!

This summer, residents can grab great sales on the first weekend of each month as the Downtown Merchant’s Group begins 1st Saturday Downtown.

1st Saturday Downtown is a monthly downtown-wide sale on the opening Saturday of the month. The all-day shopping event begins when stores open, generally 10 a.m., and will feature great deals from the majority of shops in the downtown district.

“The new 1st Saturday Downtown is a great opportunity to come downtown and support our local shop owners and grab some great finds,” said Jessica Jackson, Claremore Main Street Executive Director. “The fact that there will be deep discounts is just an added bonus!”
Each month beginning at 12:30 p.m., a different food truck will be set up in the RCB Drive Thru to give guests another dining option. On June 4, Dorothy’s Wiches, a Claremore-based sandwich truck, will be the food truck in attendance.
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​The inaugural 1st Saturday Downtown on June 4 also will feature a sidewalk sale and an appraisal fair.

The appraisal fair, which will be from 1-3 p.m. at the corner of Will Rogers Boulevard and Missouri Avenue, will offer an informal, verbal estimate of worth. There will be no sales associated with the appraisal fair.

For details about the deals offered at the opening 1st Saturday Downtown in downtown Claremore, visit the Facebook event.

Mrs. Flint’s 4th Grade class at Claremont Elementary School is the winner of the Union Pacific Flag Art Contest designed to promotion train history and safety here in Claremore. Fourth-grade classes all over town participated in the contest. Attendees at this year’s Sip, Savor & Shop: Taste of Claremore voted for their favorite flag. The winning class received $100, courtesy of Claremore Main Street and Claremore Area Chamber of Commerce, the contest’s hosts. The flag will be delivered to the contest’s sponsor, UP Railroad, to hang in their corporate office. All the classes’ flags are hanging in downtown Claremore all during the month of May, Train Safety Month.

Thursday nights will come alive in downtown Claremore again this year as the downtown district brings back the popular monthly food truck events.

Rebranded this year as Food Truck Thursday, the family-friendly street party features late shopping, delicious food trucks, top-notch music entertainment and activities along the street for patrons to enjoy.

“We are excited to bring back Food Truck Thursday this year. It’s a great opportunity to shop late while getting yummy food,” said Carol Thibodeau, chairman of the committee in charge of the event.

Food Truck Thursdays will be from 6-9 p.m. on the final Thursday of the month from May through October in downtown Claremore.

The only exception is June when the event was moved to the fourth Thursday to coincide with when the statewide bike ride, Oklahoma Freewheel, will be spending the night in Claremore.
Residents should mark their calendars for this season’s events on May 26, June 23, July 28, Aug. 25, Sept. 29 and Oct. 27.

The monthly event is hosted by the Downtown Claremore Merchants Group and Claremore Main Street.

“The monthly street parties give Rogers County residents a chance to gather, shop, eat and listen to great music. We have activities that are fun for all ages,” said Jessica Jackson, Claremore Main Street director. “It’s essentially a city-wide block party in the heart of Claremore.”

Visitors will find most of the stores open late, many with great deals for one night only. Food trucks will line Will Rogers Boulevard, which will be blocked off from Lynn Riggs Boulevard to Muskogee Avenue.

Live music from local and area musicians will entertain crowds and a kids zone will be chalk full of family-friendly activities. Further, non-food vendors will give attendees an even wider variety of browsing options.

“Our customers asked for us to bring back these nights. We plan to continue to grow it and make it even better this year, with different activities available at each event,” said Thibodeau, who also owns Rhapsody Boutique & Spa, 108 S. Cherokee Ave.

At most of this year’s events, local authors will have book signings at Boarding House Books, 300 W. Will Rogers Blvd.

Each month will feature a different theme to which activities will be focused.

Downtown Hoedown
Kicking off both the Food Truck Thursday season and the Will Rogers Stampede Rodeo will be the Downtown Hoedown on May 26.

“The Will Rogers Stampede Rodeo, now in its 75th year, is an event truly a great resource in our community,” Jackson said. “We want participants and guests at the rodeo to get a true Claremore experience, and that’s showcased in our downtown events like Food Truck Thursday.”

DocFell & Co. will be the featured band throughout the evening and a dance floor will give two-steppers a place to bust a move. The night will kick off with the singing of the National Anthem.

Eleven food trucks are scheduled to attend, giving guests a variety of cuisine and desserts. Food trucks include Meltdown Gourmet Grilled Cheese, Dorothy’s Wiches, MooChewSooey BBQ, Cake Smash, 2 Chefs on Wheels, Creole Catering, Taqueria El Jarocho, Kona Ice, Papos Latin/American Café, Dog House and Maw & Paw Kettle Corn.

Being a rodeo theme, visitors can enjoy free mechanical bull riding during the event. Other activities and vendors will be along the street to greet guests in attendance.

The Tri-State Gunfighters will perform throughout the evening on the streets in downtown Claremore.

Boarding House Books will host several area authors for book signings. One of the author’s, Doris Coke Myers, the niece of Will Rogers himself, will be there with her book, I Just Called Him Uncle Will.

RCB Bank’s booth will give guests an opportunity to meet and get an autograph with their favorite Miss Rodeo Oklahoma Teen and Princess.

Many of the downtown stores, which will stay open until 9 p.m., will feature discounts and giveaways throughout the evening.

Join the Facebook event!

For more information or to sign up as a vendor, please call Jessica Jackson at 918-341-5881 or Carol Thibodeau at 918-923-7157.