One Bricktown Merchant’s Approach to Parking
Got this from the Bricktown Red Dirt Marketplace and Oklahoma’s Red Dirt Emporium – what do you think?
Oklahoma’s Red Dirt Emporium and Bricktown Marketplace want you to shop with them, so they will give you a parking rebate of $1 per $10 spent for parking when you present your original parking ticket for that day. The total limit is $5 on $50 (spent at either shop). The Red Dirt Emporium, which opened in 2007 on Canal Level, features Oklahoma made or themed goods that appeal to locals as well as visitors to the Bricktown entertainment district. The Bricktown Marketplace, opened in June of this year, is home to 42 locally-owned mini-stores with everything from Barons hockey pucks and apparel to antiques, art to clothing and gifts. The Marketplace is adding new vendors all of the time so be sure to check back regularly.
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Comments
Look, we live in Oklahoma City. I can name a million restaurants, retail centers, bars, clubs, etc. where I don’t have to pay a cent to park. I don’t care what “rebate” you offer. I’m not paying to park anywhere when I can go to five other districts that offer the same thing, and I’m out $10 before I even walk in the door.
I think its a good idea. If you want to go to bricktown (instead of the five other districts) and you dont want to look for the free parking or you dont know there is free parking (maybe someone from out of town) then its a good thing.
I mean, it cant hurt to get a little money back, right?
Steven, from what I’ve seen, I can’t really argue with you. I’ve got to wonder whether the owners of the marketplace truly understand that when they attempt something like this, they’re just inviting people like Vince to come out and perpetuate dying stereotypes. The Bricktown Association’s promotions of FREE parking on season openers for the Thunder proved that one is RARELY IF EVER “FORCED” to pay $10 to park in Bricktown. When free parking was offered for the Thunder games, dozens of spaces stayed empty.
Further, an earlier effort by the Bricktown Association to do validated parking – a similar effort to what’s attempted here – was a complete failure. It even involved an advertising campaign and ample publicity.
At the end of the day, from what I’ve seen the past several years, folks like Vince are going to choose suburban areas rather than urban, and those who prefer urban areas are going to be ok paying a reasonable price for parking. And that’s ok. To each their own.
The question is whether an effort like this does more bad than good…
It’s not about suburban vs. urban for me. Thunder games aside, the retail and restaurants currently located in bricktown aren’t worth the cost to me personally. I can eat in Deep Deuce, 9th Street, Midtown, Western, Classen, etc. at far better restaurants than in BT. I have no problem going to Bricktown and paying to park (although honestly I usually find a free spot on the street) and eat at an overpriced, mediocre restaurant if that’s what my friends have chosen for the night, but it will never be my choice.
They could be onto something especially if more businesses join in, so that by the time you’ve spent some time and money in Bricktown–you’re parking is paid for perhaps.