“Hey, look what’s going in over there!”
That’s getting to be a common expression in Enid with an abundance of new or renovated or relocated businesses and professional offices opening throughout the community in the last several months.
“Yes, we’ve had a lot of ribbon-cuttings recently,” Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce exec Jon Blankenship confirmed last week. Indeed, Chamber Ambassadors were out with the ceremonial scissors and ribbon this past month downtown, at Sunset Plaza, on West Garriott and at a medical office building.
The new businesses have been varied in type, size, location and more. What’s common is the spirit of entrepreneurship that drives the changes and investments in Enid. Plus, each change means another business or professional opportunity to serve people living in Enid and Northwest Oklahoma. It’s another plus to that ever-elusive quality of life.
The new Texas Roadhouse, with 223 new employees, is the largest of the new-in-town businesses. Others, like the new Invenergy office downtown, may be small in employees but large in impact, representing the wind energy business throughout this region.
Downtown also is site of the new Walker’s Western Store, PJ Champagne Bar and The Projects Board Shop. Head east and you’ll find medical offices and a new Hertz Rentals business at the airport. Going north is D Pro Lash and Chicaro’s Happy Place.
Sunset Plaza has new stores in Brown’s Shoe Fit, The Boot Barn, Dude’s Men’s Store and Thistle Creek Mercantile.
The West Garriott corridor is known for business, and that’s where you’ll find Take 5 oil change and drive-thru coffee businesses coming soon, Watershed Carwash, relocated Blevins & Co. offices and Charleys Philly Steaks.
Whew, that’s a lot ribbons to cut.
But, wait, get off the highways and offices or retail stores are popping up in neighborhood developments, too. At Oakwood and Willow, Premiere Eyecare built a new clinic, with TLC Dental and a new financial office to open soon. Dollar Tree opened a new store at Cleveland and Chestnut, and farther out west on Chestnut by Garland is a new Great Salt Plains Health Pediatrics and Family Medicine Clinic.
Wow, all of that and more in just the last few months. There is a lot happening in Enid. The spirit of entrepreneurship is strong. Even with a challenging economy nationally and uncertain times politically, Enid is growing better and economically stronger.
Read More: EDITORIAL: Great spirit of entrepreneurship: New businesses abound in Enid |