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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS
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ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
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COVER STORY: ON A POSITI VE NOTE Cover photo by Kelsi Laine Photo
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NEW MEMBER DIRECTORY
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A message from the Edmond Chamber —
It would be the understatement of the year to say 2020 hasn’t been quite what we expected. From professional to personal, all aspects of our lives have changed and we’ve learned to be more flexible than ever as we adjust our plans daily. Significant events have been canceled, we haven’t seen many of our members in person in months and we’ve spent more time on Zoom than we thought possible. However, in light of it all there have been positives that have come from this strange year. You’ve likely heard of The Oklahoma Standard, a term coined after the Oklahoma City bombing, which refers to the way Oklahomans come together in response to the needs of their neighbors, fellow citizens and communities. That standard has been evident during this crisis and it’s been encouraging to see our community come together. Fear of the unknown didn’t stop Edmond from working together to find innovative ways to support our businesses and residents. We’re thankful to represent the Edmond business community and the wonderful people who make it strong and we look forward to seeing everyone again soon.
SHERRY JO RDAN President & CEO
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Over 110 years of compassionate care. Since 1907, we have been committed to providing exceptional service to every family we serve.
BAGGERLEY FUNERAL HOME | EDMOND
405-341-3737 | Baggerley.com
MEMORIAL PARK FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY | OKLAHOMA CITY
405-755-1111 | MemorialParkOKC.com
Matthew R. Boydstun, Location Manager | Board of Advisors Member Edmond Young Professionals Advisory Board Past Chairman | Edmond Chamber’s 2017 Volunteer of the Year
by
KELSILAINE.COM
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CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS The time has come once again to think about candidates for Edmond’s City Council. December 7-9, 2020 will be the window for candidates interested in filing for office. Of the city council’s five seats, three are up for election: Ward 3 City Councilperson, Ward 4 City Councilperson and Mayor. After the primary election on February 9, 2021, the top two candidates in each Edmond City Council race will face off in the general election on April 6. The winning candidates will assume their duties on the first Monday in May 2021 following their election. Current city council members include Dan O’Neil, Mayor (term expires May 2021); David Chapman, Ward 1 City Councilman (term expires May 2023); Josh Moore, Ward 2 City Councilman (term expires May 2023); Darrell Davis, Ward 3 City Councilman (term expires May 2021); and Nick Massey, Ward 4 City Councilman (term expires May 2021). O’Neil and Massey have stated that they will not run for re-election in 2021, while Davis has expressed intent to run for mayor. Information about each city councilman, as well as ward boundaries and other helpful information can be found on the City of Edmond website. To influence choices that affect the community, it’s critical to understand the role local elected officials play. More so, it’s critical to vote for candidates who will work to improve quality of life for all residents. Edmond operates under a Council-Manager form of government meaning the mayor and council are the policymaking, legislative body and they appoint the city manager, city attorney and municipal judges. The City of Edmond has more than two dozen boards and commissions that citizens are encouraged to apply for on the City’s website. City Council then reviews the applications with the current members of the board or commission and appoints new members.
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This decision has the power to directly affect every aspect of life for locals like parks, roads, public transport, economic development and more. Read that last paragraph again and let the importance of voting settle in. There is no level of government that is more directly responsible for serving the community than that of the city council. Plus, grassroot policies generated by local officials have a history of working their way to the federal level. According to Medium, policies such as women’s suffrage, minimum wage, and environmental protections all began at the local and state level. Positive change at a local level is the ultimate way to create change on a federal level. Local elections have historically had low turnouts meaning a vote at the local level has a bigger impact. In fact, less than one of every five voters show up for municipal elections which in some cases means the outcome is decided by a handful of voters. The first step in being a responsible voter is to be an educated voter. Once the deadline to file for city council elections has passed, the Edmond Chamber will provide ample opportunity to get to know the candidates before deciding. In the meantime, the chamber will be working to identify business-friendly candidates to run for office. To be eligible for office in Edmond, the City Charter requires individuals be • • • •
A United States citizen A minimum of twenty-five years of age A landowner and resident of at least one year prior to selection to serve A qualified voter of the City of Edmond and of the ward in which he or she is running.
Filing takes place at the Oklahoma County Election board located at 4201 North Lincoln Boulevard in Oklahoma City.
DEADLINE OCT. 31
November 21 – January 3, 2021 Sponsorships Available – Contact jessica.lyle@edmondok.com
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ART IN
Public Places
EDMOND IS AN ART LOVERS PARADISE With more than 230 murals, sculptures and installations, Edmond is exploding with incredible public art worth experiencing. You would be hard-pressed to walk or drive through the city without seeing a handful of creative pieces thoughtfully chosen by the Edmond Visual Arts Commission. Edmond has been a hub for art lovers for decades and art installations have only increased in the past few years. This year alone the commission has installed five new pieces and have seven more coming soon. The beauty of Edmond’s growing art collection is that many pieces are chosen or contributed by residents. Every piece carries a unique story, origin and meaning – many of which honor the lives of Edmondites who have passed. Newer pieces incorporate interactive art including “I’m Grateful” a chalkboard display by artist Zonly Looman that entices passersby to stop and reflect on what they’re thankful for. Another interactive piece by Looman titled “Key To My Heart” echoes the tradition of lovers adding locks to the famous Love Lock Bridge in Paris by encouraging visitors to add locks to the large steel piece. There are two great ways to experience Edmond’s art scene for yourself. For just $15 a person, you can sign up for the city’s Art in Public Places Tour. The guided tour has both walking and driving portions that provide a look and lesson behind the art that makes Edmond special. The walking portion covers most of downtown while the driving portion spans to the east including a stop for lunch at Pop’s on historic Route 66. Transportation is provided by Edmond Parks and Recreation using a 15-passenger van. The second way to experience the city’s art is by mapping it out for yourself. Visit Edmond provides an interactive map on their website that shows visitors the location of every public art installation. With diverse pieces around every corner, the city’s works of public art are a staple of our community. Enjoy!
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ON A POSITIVE NOTE —
It would be easy to focus on the negatives of 2020, but in a half empty kind of year we’re choosing to focus on the moments that have made it feel half full. We can’t minimize the harsh reality that the year has brought, but we can highlight the good. We hope that the following stories bring you joy!
PAYING IT FORWARD There was no plan B for Murod Mamatov when he opened Ellis Island in 2016. He sold his home, cashed out his 401k, borrowed money from a friend and went all in on his coffee and wine lounge. His inspiration came from visiting the former immigration station, now museum, in New York City. “As a first generation immigrant myself I saw so much similarity in the emotions of those who arrived to the U.S through Ellis Island at the beginning of the past century, and myself when I immigrated to the U.S seventeen years ago,” Mamatov explained. He chose Edmond to open his first location because it offers the best of both worlds, a small town feel with a dynamic city vibe. He now owns two Ellis Island locations in Edmond and one on the campus at Oklahoma City Community College. Fast forward to 2020 where Mamatov was faced with the pressure of owning a small business during a global pandemic. He knew finances were uncertain for many and that a cup of coffee might be a luxury. He thought about the years of support the community had offered him and decided to pay it forward. He took to social media and told customers to pay what they could and if they couldn’t pay at all, coffee was on the house. As the news spread, the response from the community was tremendous. Those who could still pay were overpaying and their generosity allowed Ellis Island to offer free coffee for two months until they opened their doors again to indoor seating. Mamatov described it as a warm and moving experience.
“Offering free coffee during this difficult time was always about more than just coffee. It was about offering kindness and assurance in humanity, community and citizenship,” Mamatov expressed. “We wanted to say that we are in this together and we will overcome this together…As we move forward, we should not forget that we are strong united.”
AB O VE A N D R I G H T: PAYI N G I T F O RWA R D Murod Mamatov at his coffee and wine lounge, Ellis Island Photos by Kelsi Laine Photo
L E FT A N D B E L O W: GATH E RI N G F O R G O O D Residents unite to restore a neglected cemetery. Photos by Eriech Tapia
GATHERING FOR GOOD Conversations regarding racial injustice were ignited across the nation in May following the death of George Floyd. Locally, a conversation began about a historically African American cemetery on the outskirts of Edmond that many didn’t know existed. According to the Edmond Historical Society and Museum, Gower Cemetery is significant as the last remaining physical evidence of one of the rural areas in Oklahoma settled primarily by African Americans and one of the few sites in Oklahoma associated with the rural settlement of African Americans prior to statehood and the enaction of the Jim Crow Laws in 1907. Simply put, the burial ground was a final resting place for those who were not permitted to be buried inside Edmond city limits due to segregation.
ENDEAVORING VIRTUALLY For 20 years the Endeavor Games for Athletes with Physical Disabilities has brought participants from across the nation to Edmond for a weekend of competition. Different than the Special Olympics, the athletes at the Endeavor Games have physical impairments (amputation, limb loss, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, visual impairment, etc.), not cognitive or intellectual impairments. The goal of the games is to provide children, adults and military service members with physical disabilities the opportunity to display their talents in a proper, competitive setting against others with similar disabilities.
When local businessowner Stephanie Carel decided to visit the cemetery in May she didn’t know what to expect but quickly realized upon arrival that the cemetery needed care. She took to Facebook requesting donations and volunteers saying,
“It is a wonderful piece of history that needs to be maintained.”
The games are held in five different venues in Edmond and include wheelchair basketball, archery, swimming, sitting volleyball, and track and field. Imagine planning an event that’s held in five different venues with 250300 participants, then imagine making it virtual. That’s exactly what the Endeavor Games staff at the University of Central Oklahoma decided to do when they were faced with canceling the 21st Endeavor Games due to COVID-19. They partnered with
She promptly formed a crew of more than 50 volunteers to assist her in mowing, cleaning headstones, trimming trees and other general maintenance. The project made a massive impact and is just the beginning of a bigger plan to improve the cemetery. The group has plans to remove rust and paint the existing fence and gate. A group of local Eagle Scouts will build benches so that more residents can experience an important piece of Edmond’s past.
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“The Endeavor Games are always the highlight of my summer. I have made so many wonderful friends through the common bond of sports and the resilience of the human spirit. Even though we couldn’t compete together this year, we were given the opportunity to continue to be active and accountable to each other with our daily training and posts on social media.”
“We had people from Australia, Canada, Florida, New York, Switzerland…I mean you name it and we had someone register for the Red Day Run,” said RDR Chairwoman Penny Tully. With more than 1,176 runners and several generous sponsors RDR was able to raise $215,000 for charities who have been hit especially hard this year. The virtual response was so incredible that the committee plans on offering a virtual option every year, regardless of a pandemic. B E L O W: R E N E W IN G, E N E R GIZ IN G, D ON ATI N G Runners take off during the 2018 Red Day Run.
LEFT: END E AV OR IN G V IRTUAL LY Endeavor Games athlete Brad Hall cycling in a 5K race.
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When the Red Day Run (RDR) planning committee made the difficult decision to go virtual this year, they were still determined to raise a significant amount of money for the selected charities. The event is a part of Keller’s Williams nationwide day of service dedicated to Renewing, Energizing and Donating (RED). The run usually takes place each year in May and has raised nearly $700,000 in six years for a multitude of charities in the Edmond area. When the pandemic hit the race was pushed back to July and then was eventually converted to a virtual race which allowed runners from around the world to sign up for the race and log their own times.
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After making their plan, they questioned if they could pull it off and if athletes would even sign up. Within a few weeks they had 460 registrants representing 43 states, two U.S. territories and seven countries. Athletes were thrilled to be able to compete and the team received overwhelming thanks for providing a sense of normalcy. It would have been easier to postpone the games until next summer, but the team’s willingness to adjust made a huge impact on hundreds of lives including longtime Endeavor Games athlete Brad Hall,
RENEWING, ENERGIZING AND DONATING
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their counterparts in Indiana and made a game plan to offer the best virtual experience possible. They coordinated 14 sport clinics, a welcome party, nine individual challenges, a team challenge and e-sports. Athletes were asked to self-report their results and send pictures of themselves completing the challenges.
L E FT, FR OM TOP: CON STR UCTION U N D E R WAY Illustration of future home at The Lark. Courtesy of Switchgrass Capital Aerial view of progress at Edmond Center Court Courtesy of City of Edmond Rendering of The Plaza at Stephenson Park Courtesy of Grant Group Rendering of Ice House Block
CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY The pandemic halted most of the events and activities we look forward to each year but several projects around Edmond are still moving forward. Plans were approved to begin construction on The Lark, a new residential block offering 42 single family, luxury cottages in downtown Edmond. Residents can enjoy a walkable, urban lifestyle with homes built to the highest standards of craftsmanship. Edmond Center Court, a joint project by Edmond Public Schools and the City of Edmond, will soon be completed for residents and visitors to enjoy. The tennis facility has 24 outdoor courts, six indoor courts and a 31,000 square foot clubhouse. The center is expected to open in the fall. Two exciting developments in the downtown area will soon start taking shape. The first is the redevelopment of the former Parkway Cleaners building to be called The Plaza at Stephenson Park. The city will begin renovations on Stephenson Park, Edmond’s oldest park, which will bring substantial improvements to the existing park including retail and restaurant space, a patio on the north, park facing side and a walkway through to a patio on the south side. The second development will be Ice House Block, a multi-use space to include restaurants, a brewery and green space. The development will restore Edmond’s historic icehouse and the buildings surrounding it.
“Edmond has proved its resilience and ability to thrive against all odds. We’re excited about the direction we’re headed” said Edmond Economic Development Authority Executive Director Janet Yowell. In addition to the projects mentioned above, the City is finalizing requirements for a quiet zone. This includes improvements at all eleven crossings within our city limits and will allow trains to cease honking horns when going through town. A project that is expected to increase quality of life and economic development for years to come. While the world has seemed to slow down this year, Edmond is still charging ahead.
Building the OKC Metro since 1984
Mercy Clinic and Emergency Department - Edmond Completed Fall 2019
flintco.com
Leading the World in Traffic Signal Hardware Build A Career With Pelco Products, Inc. PROUD TO BE ONE OF EDMOND’S LARGEST EMPLOYERS THE VOIC E
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Business Banking • Home Mortgages 15th E. 15th St. • Edmond • 405-341-8222
She’s One Paycheck Away From Poverty. When crisis strikes, we’re one helping hand away. United Way fights for the health, education, financial stability and quality of life of every person in the central Oklahoma community. We’re the partner you can count on in times both ordinary and extraordinary. But it all starts with you. Your donation helps your community, your neighbors, your friends, your family … or you. If you’re not in need yet, please help someone who is.
UnitedWayOKC.org
3712 E. 2nd Street - Edmond, OK
(405)340-2000 As heard on
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NEW MEMBER DIRECTORY
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*Indicates marketer level membership
All About Cha 1380 West Covell Road #124 Edmond, OK 73003 405-513-7168 allaboutcha.net
Clean Club OKC 904 Carfax Road Edmond, OK 73034 405-423-7282 cleanclubokc.com
Hardware Concepts 2800 Coltrane Place #1 Edmond, OK 73034 405-844-4100 hdwrcpts.com
Allton’s Clothiers 601 South Boulevard Edmond, OK 73034 405-341-4455 alltons.com
CMSWillowbrook* 620 NE 36th Oklahoma City, OK 73105 405-224-1554 cmswillowbrook.com
Hermosa Salon 15220 North Western Avenue Suite L Edmond, OK 73013 405-285-5562 hermosa.salon
America’s Car-Mart 909 South Broadway Edmond, OK 73034 405-791-6878
Conscious Community Co-op 2900 East Waterloo Road Edmond, OK 73034 405-726-2565 conscious-community-co-op.business.site
Highland 55 1117 South Bryant Avenue Edmond, OK 73034 405-216-9995 highland55.com
Cookie Advantage 625 Enterprise Drive #180 Edmond, OK 73013 405-315-7100
Hobby’s Hoagies 222 South Santa Fe Edmond, OK 73003 405-348-2214
Auto Hail Logistics* 401 NW 139th Street #15 Edmond, OK 73013 405-568-2329 autohaillogistics.com
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The Barlor 2524 West Edmond Road Edmond, OK 73012 630-605-2817 thebarlor.net
agents.farmers.com/ok/edmond/david-stephens
Bacteria Busters, LLC 405-850-6403 bacteriabustersusa.com
Baths by Shay, Inc. 6501 Boucher Drive Edmond, OK 73034 405-285-6533 bathsbyshay.com BeLocal Edmond 17717 Ptarmigan Lane Edmond, OK 73012 405-818-2029 Benefits 4 You 2118 Brookhaven Drive Edmond, OK 73034 405-317-5646
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Charlie Neuenschwander Photography LLC 1 NE 14th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73103 405-414-7001 charlieneuenschwander.com CK Group LLC 4808 Blackjack Lane Edmond, OK 73034 405-250-3028 philklutts.com
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David Stephens Insurance Agency, Inc. 805 West 15th Street Edmond, OK 73013 405-341-0630
iCode Edmond 2217 NW 178th Street Edmond, OK 73012 405-757-0500 icodeschool.com/edmond111
Del Taco 1000 East 2nd Street Edmond, OK 73034 405-341-1279
Integrity Heat & Air, LLC* 2024 Ruhl Drive Suite A Guthrie, OK 73044 405-833-5992 integrityheatandair.com
Dunford Pools 616 Enterprise Drive Edmond, OK 73013 405-412-2621 dunfordpools.com
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Edmond Business 1800 Canyon Park Circle #404 Edmond, OK 73083 405-509-9090 edmondbusiness.com Evergreen Landscaping 9405 East 2nd Arcadia, OK 73007 405-285-7599 evergreen405.com
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HABIT 3400 South Bryant Avenue #140 Edmond, OK 73013 405-906-3424 myhabitshop.com Hanson Chiropractic Center 1717 South Boulevard Suite B Edmond, OK 73013 405-802-4254 dochanson.com
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Karen G Reed DDS 609 South Kelly Avenue Edmond, OK 73003 405-227-8004
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LDN Properties LLC 4205 Sooner Circle Edmond, OK 73034 405-650-5046 Livegrass Butcher + Bistro* 3601 East 2nd Street Edmond, OK 73034 405-471-5666 livegrassok.com Lock It Up Safes LLC 716 West 15th Street Edmond, OK 73013 405-331-7233 lockitupsafes.com
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NP 2 GO 14701 North Kelly Edmond, OK 73012 405-696-7003 np2go.com
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Oak City Pizza 23 West First Street #140 Edmond, OK 73003 405-920-6218 oakcity.pizza OKC Lifestyle Magazine 2404 Woodhollow Trail Edmond, OK 73012 405-673-8899 citylifestyle.com/okc The Oklahoma Academy 333 12th Avenue #110 Norman, OK 73071 405-307-0986 okacademy.org Oklahoma Health Options 2524 North Broadway Edmond, OK 73034 405-546-2000 oklahomaoptions.com Oklahoma State Bank PO Box 720420 Norman, OK 73070 405-260-2265 osbbank.com
Periodontal Implant Center North 609 South Kelly Avenue Edmond, OK 73003 405-509-8932 okperio.com Physical Therapy Central of West Edmond 15101 Lleytons Court Edmond, OK 73013 405-726-1580 ptcentral.org Premium Promos & Logos LLC 10708 South Czech Hall Road Mustang, OK 73064 405-517-9404 sweetswag.rocks Prescott Bridal 3624 East I-35 Frontage Road Edmond, OK 73013 405-285-6555 prescottbridal.com
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Quinten’s Leather and Vinyl Repair 17301 Sunny Hollow Road Edmond, OK 73012 405-834-1487
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Recherche’ Merchant Solutions 820 West Danforth Road #104 Edmond, OK 73003 405-279-9100
On The Border Edmond* 3233 South Broadway Edmond, OK 73013 405-562-7150 ontheborder.com
Relationship Resonance 2271 Peacock Drive Edmond, OK 73012 405-812-3684 doughacking.com
Oops I Arted 3400 South Bryant #100 Edmond, OK 73013 405-476-9211 oopsiarted.com
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Palace Nail Bar 2416 East 2nd Street Edmond, OK 73034 405-471-5566
Select Specialty Hospital* 3524 NW 56th Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405-465-6092 selectmedical.com Signature Landscape* 9600 North Eastern Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73131 405-922-1813 Simply Falafel 343 South Blackwelder Avenue Edmond, OK 73034 405-341-4646 simplyfalafeledmondok.com
Stinson Development Company, LLC P.O. Box 322048 Edmond, OK 73003 405-204-0959 stinsondevco.com Stoker Capital LLC 3711 North Military Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73118 405-219-7364 stokercap.com SYNERGY HomeCare 770 East Britton Road Edmond, OK 73114 405-204-6961 synergyhomecare.com/ok/edmond
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T. Scott Construction, LLC 2932 NW 122nd Street Oklahoma City, OK 73120 405-286-6808 tscottconstruction.com Teriyaki Madness 15124 Lleytons Court #104 Oklahoma City, OK 73134 405-250-0304 teriyakimadness.com The Tucker Law Firm 1 South Broadway Edmond, OK 73034 405-348-1789 tuckerlawfirm.com The Botany 3325 South Boulevard #187 Edmond, OK 73013 405-833-8790 Turning Point Ministries P.O. Box 2437 Edmond, OK 73083 405-537-3165 turningpointoklahoma.org
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Unknown.Studio 3825 NW 166th Street B12 Edmond, OK 73012 405-834-5810 unknown.studio
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Wallace Family Dentistry 1617 East Danforth Road Edmond, OK 73034 405-340-0411 wallacedds.com
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Peppers Ranch Foster Care Community 3172 Peppers Ranch Drive Guthrie, OK 73044 405-260-1870 peppersranch.com
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Miller Private Wealth 5708 NW 135th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73142 405-470-0359 millerprivatewealthllc.com
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Providing world-class care with a community spirit. It’s a mission that has made Community Hospital one of Oklahoma’s highest ranked hospitals for patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes. With a variety of services, delivered by leading specialists, Community Hospital provides concierge-level care that always puts the patient first.
Diagnostic Imaging Gastroenterology Orthopedics & Spine Care Outpatient Rehabilitation
Gynecology Otolaryngology (ENT) Pain Management
North Campus 9800 Broadway Ext. 405.419.2980
Community Hospital complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Community Hospital is a facility in which physicians have an ownership or investment interest. The list of physician owners or investors is available to you upon request.
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We are dedicated to local businesses and the communities we serve. Through personalized service and unparalleled expertise, we offer customized financial solutions to help Oklahoma businesses thrive. As your locally owned partner, we go above and beyond to help your business grow.
David Pasnau Vice President - Business Banking 405-767-7690 | david.pasnau@midfirst.com midfirst.com
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South Campus 3100 S.W. 89th 405.602.8100
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