Fun New View of the Mideke Supply Building
And what, you might ask, is the Mideke Supply Building? Let’s applaud Gary Berlin and Lynnete Hendrix for referring to the above building by it’s historic name instead of that of a briefly successful gift store that operated in the 1990s (the Bricktown Mercantile).
Gary has also discussed restoring the name on the sign that is still attached to the building at the corner of Oklahoma and Main. For now, though, we get to enjoy a rare sight in Bricktown – the appearance of life above the second floor.
Here’s what Lynnete had to say in her email that arrived with the above photos:
We don’t think they have been on in many many years as we even had to have electricians work to get them in working order. Each single light is the low energy floresent with a long lifetime.
We can’t wait to get a photo with 3rd Degree and City Walk all lit. up. It is unbeleivable how she shines all lit up. Breaths new life to that dark corner.
We are presently turning lights on Friday and Saturdays but hopefully in the future we will have a timer so they can be on each night during business hours.
Gary bought the building a couple of years ago and he has made it no secret that he wants to finish out the upper floors and get them occupied. If Gary, a newcomer to Bricktown, is able to pull off such a nice addition to the Bricktown skyline, I wonder why veterans like the Brewers can’t do likewise with another Bricktown landmark, the old Hunzicker Bros. Building (home each fall to the Haunted Warehouse). Brent, Brett… how about it?
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Comments
This is great. Back in the day, Mideke was a thriving mechanical contractor and supply house that was a pride of Bricktown. I assume you studied this compiling in your book, Steve. Glad to see them claim their rightful heritage. Classic!
[...] some nice photos of the upper floors of the Mideke Supply Building being lit up at night … see Fun New View of the Mideke Supply Building … and a story to go along with them. __________________ Doug [...]
Seems weird just looking at it. This is what Bricktown is lacking to keep it surviving long-term. Hopefully most of the upper floors in these buildings will become residential as office space can only do so much and most workers will be gone by 5pm. We need to create a 24/7 street culture and that can only be achieved by residential. Come on Brewers your next!
This is fantastic! I am so excited!!! I hope that this will compel other building owners to do the same thing!
Well Paige, here’s the catch on that. Will people pay the price of what would cost to put in a condo – without attached, enclosed parking?
I think the problem with residential is City Walk on the bottom two floors music until 2AM. That might not appeal to many people.
I’m thrilled that this building is getting new life.
And that the Mideke name is not forgotten.
It belonged to my Uncle Jack Mideke after whom I was named.
The building looks great. I had the pleasure of touring the Mideke Supply Company many years ago with my husband James. He showed me all the places he would play while his father Robert V Mideke, worked, the elevator was my favorite. I hope the building is around for a long long time.
Steve, are they planning on doing office, residential or both up there?