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PUBLICATION OF EDMOND LIFE & LEISURE
Letter from the Publisher
WELCOME TO OUR EDMOND
If you are new to Edmond or even just considering purchasing a home in this great town, we welcome you. This is a fantastic time of year to be in Edmond with many events that have become longtime favorites to the folks that live here. The summertime heat and carefree living will give way soon, but activities heat up at a rapid pace going into the back-to-school season. The summer here in Edmond is my favorite time of year. You will not want to miss the Saturday Edmond Farmers Market that continues through the last Saturday in October. It is a fantastic opportunity to purchase farm fresh products, but it is also a weekly opportunity to visit with friends and neighbors. The vendors get to know their customers by name. There is nothing like it in the Oklahoma City area. We often get calls at Edmond Life & Leisure from folks new to the area about what activities their family would enjoy. Here are a few places to look.
Our Edmond Historical Society and Museum on Boulevard always has great programs and changing exhibits to see. Downtown Edmond is always a buzz of activity from places to dine, live music, coffee houses and some great shopping. Any merchant can fill you in on upcoming activities in downtown Edmond. If you have not been downtown for a while you need to come. Visit any of the new restaurants and there are many shops or just take a walk and look at all the art. Edmond has the lowest crime rate in central Oklahoma, the best public schools in the state of Oklahoma, outstanding city services and a quality of life that is second to none. Our park system is exceptional and we just added a new splash pad with lots of shade and places to picnic for your summer fun. Your home will not only hold its value but will increase in value over the years at a rate that will give you confidence in the investment you make whether it is purchasing a new home or remodeling the one you are in today. We hope you enjoy this quarterly edition of At Home in Edmond. You will find our local news stories and advertising to be helpful in adding to the exceptional quality of life here in Edmond. You can always view our calendar of events online at www.edmondlifeandleisure.com. We are the only locally owned and operated media company and look forward to meeting you at all the summer events in our Edmond!
Best Regards,
Advertiser‘s Index
your pets Pampering
By Rose Drebes
Locally-owned pet stores A1 Pet Emporium and Three Dog Bakery are all about pampering people’s furry friends with high quality and wholesome food and treats.
A1 is located in Edmond at 1333 N. Santa Fe, Suite 115, while customers can visit the Three Dog Bakery at 1380 W. Covell Road, #100.
A1’s owners Brent and Trisha Clark established the store after finding that their dog’s allergies were caused by a well-known brand of food that contained ingredients like corn, wheat and by-products that were not part of her natural diet. They put her on a diet that was high in natural meat proteins with no corn, wheat, by-products, soy or other cheap fillers.
Her symptoms improved immediately.
Realizing there were other pet
owners in the same situation, they started A1 Pet Emporium Dog and Cat Food Natural Market in 2010 to provide fellow pet owners with high-quality pet food. They have since seen great improvements in the health of countless dogs and cats.
Helping finicky pets and those with digestive issues is A1’s number one priority.
A1 also wants to bring awareness to the local pet rescue organizations who work tirelessly to find permanent homes for homeless pets in the community. The store hosts adoption events nearly every weekend.
Three Dog Bakery started with a beloved rescue pup named Gracie — the sweetest little soul with a highly sensitive stomach. When run-of-themill dog food made her sick, her owners decided to learn to bake.
From that very first batch of
wholesome, handmade treats, they saw how magical doggie devotion can be.
Three Dog Bakery is a one-ofa-kind pup shop, Edmond owner Hannah Briege said. The world’s first bakery for dogs opened in 1989 and the company has been making tails wag ever since.
Treats are fresh-baked on-site by real pastry chefs who use simple, healthy, and wholesome ingredients.
“We hand-bake our treats,” she said. “From pupcakes, lickety splits, boxer brownies, pawty cake cookies and much, much more!”
She said the bakery’s favorite treats to make are celebration cakes.
“We love to celebrate every fourlegged life,” Hannah said. “Our locally-owned business loves to spoil your pups so we carry not only fresh treats, but bulk treats, chews, food, toys and everything in between.”
A1 Pet Emporium is located at 1333 N. Santa Fe, Suite 11 in Edmond.
A1 Pet Emporium offers fresh and healthy food for dogs and cats.
PHOTO BY ROSE DREBES
Three Dog Bakery also stocks a wide variety of doggie team wear and toys.
PHOTO BY ROSE DREBES
The treats are baked fresh by a pastry chef at Three Dog Bakery.
PHOTO BY ROSE DREBES
PHOTO BY ROSE DREBES
Grillthissafelysummer
Plenty of people can be found working their grilling magic yearround. But the vast majority of people do the bulk of their grilling over the summer, when warm temperatures contribute to a relaxed atmosphere that makes outdoor cooking and dining that much more appealing.
The relaxing nature of summer can make it easy to overlook safety, particularly when grilling. However, the right safety measures when cooking over an open flame can prevent home fires and other accidents that can cause injury and even death. In recognition of the many things that can go wrong when grilling, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Fire Administration offer these simple fire safety tips that every grillmaster can keep in mind as summer grilling season hits full swing.
• Only use a grill outside. Grills should never be used indoors, and
that includes in garages with the doors open. Before lighting a flame, make sure the grill is at least three feet from siding, deck rails and eaves.
• Establish a safe zone around the grill. A three-foot safe zone around the grill can decrease the likelihood that pets will run into and potentially tip over the grill. Kids can be taught to respect this zone as well so they avoid being burned.
• Open a gas grill before lighting it. Charcoal grills, hybrid grills and smokers cannot be lit unless the lid is lifted. That isn’t the case with gas grills, but gas grills should never be lit with the lid closed. If a gas grill is lit with its lid closed, gas can build up inside and that could cause an explosion. Even if there’s some summer rain falling, open the lid on a gas grill before turning the ignition switch.
• Keep an eye on the grill at all times. It’s tempting to walk away
from a grill while food is cooking, but someone should always be tasked with staying close to the grill. If cooks must walk away, ask another adult to stay close to the grill until you return. All it takes is a few seconds for a fire to start.
• Clean the grill regularly. Regular cleaning of the grill is both healthy and safe. Cleaning helps to ensure the cooking surface is clean and unlikely to cause food poisoning. But a grease-free grill also poses less of a fire hazard than one that hasn’t been cleaned.
• Let coals cool before discarding them. Coals from the grill should be given ample time to cool before they’re removed from the grill and discarded.
• Remember to turn the gas valve to the off position after cooking. When cooking with gas grills, cooks must remember to turn the valve to the off position once all the food has been cooked.
Give your living room a new vibe
An “out with the old, in with the new” mentality can extend to people’s visions for their homes. A home in need of repair or renovation can serve as a catalyst to take inventory of personal style and help make interior spaces reflect one’s unique vibe.
A living room can grow stale over time and often serves as a catch-call for clothing, blankets, gadgets, and other items. Upon recognizing a living room has seen better days, individuals may decide it’s time to give the space a new vibe. That transformation can start with these strategies.
Organize first
Clutter frequently is the culprit behind a living room that may not give off the vibe individuals desire. As families grow and people add belongings, space may be at a premium. Less is more has never been a more important concept. Remove extraneous items before purchasing new furniture or transitioning to a new design. You may even want to
remove everything and start from scratch before reintroducing desirable elements to the space.
Seek the assistance of professionals
Some people are adept at decorating and designing spaces. But just as you wouldn’t perform your own medical procedures, you should leave jobs like interior design and renovations to the professionals. Hiring a professional interior designer and contractors can really bring a living room together in ways homeowners may have never imagined. These pros can build off of your ideas and truly create a space that may be worthy of a magazine spread.
Promote wellness
You may want to consider adding natural materials in the design to promote well-being. Eco-friendly furnishings, raw fibers and organic textures will create an environment from sustainable choices. Plenty of plants also can create a welcoming environment that helps you surround
yourself with positive energy and the items you love.
Light it up
One of the easiest ways to transform a room’s vibe is to utilize lighting. Change draperies to allow more natural light to shine in. Consider additional windows or skylights if yours is a particularly dark home. If you desire to create a more vivid or cozy ambiance, use a combination of accent, task and supplemental lighting in the space so there are no dim corners.
Create an industrial or urban vibe
Industrial-chic design celebrates the bones of a building. It’s what makes city lofts so appealing, with their exposed beams and brick. Even those who live in suburbia or out in the country can give a living room this look with subtle nods to the style. Unadorned windows, clean lines on furniture, oversized, gallery-style art, and metal accents can add touches of this popular look to your home.
5 patio projects to outdoorenhanceliving
Warm weather paves the way to more opportunities to enjoy fresh air. For homeowners who have the luxury of outdoor spaces, including private patios, now is the time to start thinking about projects to enhance these gathering spots.
A patio can be considered a transitional area that links the outdoors to the inside of a home. According to the home and lifestyle resource The Spruce, a patio is often an oasis
for lounging and entertaining. And depending on homeowners’ budgets and preferences, a patio can be just as comfortable and stylish as interior spaces. The following are five patio projects that can transform these valuable spaces.
1. Pretty pergola
A pergola is an open-air (traditionally wood) structure that adds a measure of shade and privacy without completely blocking views of Mother Nature. Installing a pergola over the patio helps define the seating area. Hanging plants can add to the ambiance and string lights can make this a great spot to gather when the sun sets.
2. Patio fire pit
Build a fire pit right into the design with the same materials used to create the patio. For example, if the patio is brick or flagstone, build up to create an eye-catching fire pit. Fire pits not only look good, they also expand the time frame that the patio can be enjoyed,
offering cozy spots to sit even when the weather chills.
3. Frame it in
Make the patio a true extension of the inside by putting up walls around three sides of the patio if it connects to the home. Leave the last open to the yard, or consider installing screens to mimic the look of popular lanais. The walls will offer more weather protection, meaning you can invest in high-quality patio furniture to make this a fully functioning outdoor living room. Hang a television that is rated for outdoor use for movie-watching under the sun or stars.
4. Ooh la la
Vintage bistro tables and chairs can turn a drab patio into one that calls to mind a Parisian courtyard. Whimsical lighting and accents that you would normally think to see indoors, like a gilded mirror, can add extra appeal. Soften wrought iron and other metals on the furniture by including plenty of flowers and greenery. Don’t forget the candles and a place to stash a bottle of chilling wine.
5. Farmhouse chic
Transform a patio into an entertaining space that caters to guests A large farmhouse style table flanked by benches and some upholstered chairs sets the scene for a dinner amid the fresh air. Watering cans filled with wildflowers and mismatched flatware establish a casual feel for gatherings in the space. For those who plan to cook and serve outside with frequency, invest in outdoor appliances so you’ll never have to miss a beat with guests.
The options for transforming patios into stylish gathering spots is only limited by the imagination.
Scoops and Smiles Ice cream from three local favorites
By Erika Williams
The Creamery - Located in the Icehouse Project at 152 W 2nd St., The Creamery offers both sweet treats and hearty meals. This spot is ideal for those looking to enjoy a little lunch or dinner with their dessert.
The Creamery opened in April of 2024, but started offering their full menu earlier this summer. They offer everything from ice cream, to coffee, to burgers, and more. Their ice cream is made in-house, and the menu includes multiple flavors like Homestyle Vanilla, Callebaut Chocolate, Fireside Espresso, and Blueberry Cream. Customers can also select from a variety of different toppings and can choose between having their ice cream served in a cup, cone, shake, or even as ice cream nachos.
While The Creamery is young, Assistant General Manager Jude Black says there are already some standout flavors, like their Callebaut Chocolate.
“It’s some of the best chocolate
ice cream in the city because it’s our Callebaut Chocolate. Callebaut is the chocolatier in Belgium that coined it.
Imagine a milk chocolate, but it has a lot of volume, it’s really sweet but it’s not too sweet. That’s the problem a lot of the times with milk chocolate. It’s just too rich. We think that that Callebaut Chocolate is the perfect medium.”
Those looking for a unique ice cream experience may enjoy one of the dairy free sorbet flavors, affogato, or a more complex flavor of ice cream like Fireside Espresso or Salted Caramel.
“Our espresso ice cream is hard to beat. It’s really hard to make an espresso ice cream that isn’t too bitter if you’re using real coffee beans, which we do, and I think that we’ve nailed that,” said Jude. “My personal favorite is the Salted Caramel, and that’s our newest flavor.”
Jude says he’s looking forward to adding rotational flavors and mix-
ins to the ice cream offered at The Creamery.
“Everyone loves to get an ice cream flavor with chunks in it, and the flavor of chocolate and caramel drizzle, stuff like that. So that’s what I’m really excited for as far as the ice cream goes. In the next month or two, we’ll be able to start doing that, and I’m really excited for it,” said Jude.
While Jude is looking forward to expanding the ice cream menu, he has already been able to expand the food menu. The Creamery initially planned to operate as a deli, but the staff has added several dishes ranging from snacks to dinner items.
“Initially, when we branded, we talked about how we were a deli. We’re actually rebranding because we’re not a deli anymore. We transformed the kitchen,” said Jude. “The new menu not only has sandwiches as before, but also kid’s food like pretzel bites and hot dogs. And for
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if it’s a slow day, there will still be somebody coming in that’s involved with the Icehouse because it’s so community oriented,” said Jude.
With a play structure outside and ample seating, The Creamery at the Icehouse is a great place to spend a summer day.
the adults, there’s a lot of burgers, a lot of specialty burgers. So, we’ve got a full lunch and dinner menu, soups and salads, and more.”
Jude highlighted the JB burger as a top menu item. The burger includes a cheddar-stuffed patty and a special JB sauce made up of basil pesto aioli, ketchup, diced tomatoes, onion, and jalapeno.
The Creamery is currently working towards offering a complete farm-to-table experience. As a native Oklahoman, this is something that Jude is passionate about.
“In my eyes, because I grew up in Oklahoma, one of the staples in the culinary industry here is the idea that Oklahoma food is very farm to table. That’s one of the big goals. Right now, even our chili is Oklahoma style,” said Jude. “We’re The Creamery, and our owner comes from farming. So, we’re wanting to do everything we can to glorify all the great work that he does at that farm. And I just think the idea of farm to table in general is great because it’s local, natural, and organic.”
Being the newest business in the Icehouse, The Creamery has been enjoying being part of the community.
“Being involved with the Icehouse is fantastic, the community never fails. That’s the one thing we can rely on
PHOTOS BY ERIKA WILLIAMS
Roxy’s Ice Cream Social - Looking for a fun and effective treat to make hot summer days feel a little cooler? Thankfully, downtown Edmond has no shortage of ice cream shops to help you try and beat the heat.
Roxy’s Ice Cream Social opened in the Edmond Railyard, located at 23 W. First St., earlier this summer. Named after the founders’ beloved Great Dane, Roxy’s originally started in 2012 as an ice cream truck that was frequently featured at Heard on Hurd. The ice cream truck was so successful it led to the first brick and mortar store in Oklahoma City’s Plaza District in 2015. There are currently four locations with Edmond being the newest.
“Both of the founders grew up with ice cream being a memory for them with their grandparents. So, they wanted to bring that to the community,” said Operations Manager, Violet Parrott. “And the reason that they went with the Roxy’s name is that it came from their Great Dane, Roxy. She just had a very spunky and energetic attitude, and they were like, that’s just a perfect representation for what they wanted their brand to be known for.”
Every location features a portrait of the fondly remembered pet.
Roxy’s previously had an Edmond location that closed in 2021. Violet
said that they’ve received an outpour of positive attention since announcing the new Edmond store.
“When we announced on social media that we were coming back to Edmond, everybody was super excited. It’s been nice to hear that from the community, even though it’s been a couple of years since we’ve been up here, they’re just super excited to have us back,”
Violet added that they’re very excited to be reopening in downtown Edmond and getting to know the community.
“The Railyard, like the downtown area specifically, is a really fun spot to be in right now. Edmond always has something going on. The Farmers Market, the Arts Festival, Vibes are all so much fun. It keeps it entertaining for sure down here,” said Violet.
Roxy’s features a variety of different ice cream flavors like Vanilla Bean, Pistachio, Cherry, Coconut, and others including featured rotating special flavors. Outside of the typical scoop of ice cream, Roxy’s also offers cane sugar sodas, ice cream floats, cookie sandwiches, sundaes, and vegan ice cream.
“I think something that really attracts people to us as well is we do offer vegan options here. We only have the German Chocolate that’s a permanent vegan flavor, but we also
try to carry at least two to three other vegan options in our special flavor section,” said Violet. “We want to make sure that everyone is able to enjoy ice cream, and I think our vegan ice cream is good. We can hear people say, ‘Oh my gosh, I wouldn’t have ever known this was vegan.’ We know that some people have some food allergies, so we want to accommodate everyone as best as we can.”
Violet says their root beer float and s’mores sundae are popular menu items during the summer. The s’mores sundae features Roxy’s Graham Cracker ice cream, homemade hot fudge, and marshmallow flavored whipped cream.
“I think it’s unique because everyone’s always like, ‘What is graham cracker ice cream?’ There’s really no way to explain it other than to just give them a sample and let them try it for themselves,” said Violet.
Roxy’s was founded with the idea of community and quality in mind. The ice cream is made in house at the Plaza District location, and many products are sourced from local businesses.
“The main thing that the founders wanted to do is serve the community with ice cream, good quality ice
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cream, and to help promote small businesses. We actually make all of our ice cream down in our Plaza District store. We have our own little kitchen staff,” said Violet. “We try to use the top-quality ingredients, and
even things like our pecans come from a local pecan farm. So, things like that where we can help support other local businesses is something that we really take pride in.”
The Roxy’s founders hope to make
Roxy’s a place where people can create memories while bonding over ice cream. So, whether you’re a loyal customer or a new face, Roxy’s is a great choice for those seeking the nostalgic ice cream social experience.
Boomtown Creamery -
This local shop opened up their first location in 2022 on 23rd St. in Oklahoma City and quickly became known for their unique flavor combinations. Owner Angela Muir moved here with her family in 2020, and she decided to open an ice cream shop as a way to bring quality ice cream and hearty mix-ins to Oklahoma City.
While the original location is just over two years old, it has quickly become popular that’s why when an opportunity arose to open a shop in
Edmond, Angela jumped at the chance. Located at 17 E. Fifth St. Suite 101, Boomtown Creamery opened in Edmond in May of 2023.
“I really, really love Fifth St., you know, the little pocket community that we have there. And I mean, it’s a great location. It’s a great store. And our staff there are wonderful super great kids that we have working at that store,” said Angela.
Boomtown features many original flavors including Cherry Goat, Mediterranean Strawberry,
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and Cookie Butter. They also carry both vegan and allergy-friendly ice creams. Angela says the unexpected flavor combinations at Boomtown inspire ice cream lovers to push their boundaries.
“Cherry Goat is something that’s always on the menu. It’s one of our classic flavors, and people are constantly surprised by that flavor,” said Angela. “Mediterranean Strawberry is really a different strawberry ice cream. I mean, people who love just plain strawberry, will like it, but we put a little bit of Italian balsamic vinegar in it. And it just, like, deepens the flavor of the strawberries.”
For those looking to try something a little different, Angela recommends the Bananas Foster flavor.
“The people who have tried Bananas Foster are obsessed with it and get it every single time. A lot of people, when they think of banana flavored things, they think that it’s going to be like a fake banana flavoring. We actually slow roast the bananas in the oven for hours. We make this caramel rum sauce that goes in it. I mean, it’s an amazing flavor,” said Angela.
Although Boomtown Creamery became known for these one-of-akind flavors, they also offer high
quality, classic ice cream flavors like Chocolate, Cookies and Cream, and Madagascar Vanilla.
“We use really, really high-quality vanilla extract. It’s a double fold Madagascar bourbon vanilla, and our vanilla ice cream actually won a blue ribbon at the National Ice Cream Association last year. So that was exciting for us, because, you know, if you’re going to have vanilla, it’s got to be the best,” said Angela.
With so many flavors available, it can be hard to decide which to try first. Boomtown offers ice cream flights which allows customers to get one scoop of six different flavors at a value price.
“I knew we were going to have 24 flavors in the case. It’s a lot of flavors, and people get, especially their first time, they get a little overwhelmed, like, ‘Oh, no, how am I going to make a decision?’ So we have this really easy way for them to, like, try six unique flavors,” said Angela. “I think it’s a really unique thing to us, but it’s also to help our customers have the ability to sample a lot of things. Like, it’s six regular scoops of ice cream, so if you have a family, it’s actually a great value. It’s less expensive than buying six individual scoops.”
In addition to ice cream, Boomtown offers brownies, cookies, and waffle
cones all made in house.
“We make really great waffle cones. So you know when you order a waffle cone, it’s a fresh waffle cone made that day, if not that hour.”
Said Angela, “We also just found a product, a mix out of Oregon, that we’re using for gluten free, vegan waffle cones. It’s really good. It’s got a little bit of cinnamon in it.”
While the Edmond location has limited indoor seating, there is plenty of outdoor seating and Stephenson Park is conveniently located right down the street.
“I love that there’s now picnic tables and park benches, and, you know, we have outdoor seating there. And I love that you can be playing at the park, and when your kids are hot and sweaty you can just say, ‘Oh, let’s go get some ice cream to cool down’ and just walk right over,” said Angela.
While Boomtown does expand the boundaries with their interesting flavor pairings, at the end of the day, Angela says it is a place to come and make memories.
“You know, there are a lot of memories and moments that surround ice cream. We want to make sure that not only do we have an amazing product, but we also have this great experience for people to make those memories at Boomtown.”
Treat friends and family to slow-cooked ribs and homemade sauce
Friends, family, and food are a perfect and popular pairing. Adding food to the festivities certainly makes summer weekends more enjoyable. Certain foods have become Saturday and Sunday afternoon staples for summer fun. Few friends will turn down a plate of wings or walk away from a charcuterie board during this warm season. But families hosting parties at home can go beyond the norm and offer additional fare that’s sure to please a crowd. For instance, the following recipe for “Baby Back Ribs” with homemade “Kansas City-Style Barbecue Sauce” from Will Budiaman’s “The Essential Kamado Grill Cookbook” (Rockridge Press) will make sure everyone goes home with full bellies this summer season.
Baby Back Ribs Serves 4
4 2- to 21⁄2-lb. racks baby back ribs
3 tablespoons kosher salt
3 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
2⁄3 cup Kansas City-style Barbecue Sauce
1. Trim any hanging fat off the ribs. Season with the salt and pepper on both sides. Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.
2. Prepare the grill for smoking at 225 F to 275 F.
3. Place the ribs meat-side up on the grate over the drip pan. Close the lid. If desired, wrap the ribs in aluminum foil after 1 hour 30 minutes or once the bark (crust) is reddish brown.
4. Turn over the ribs, close the lid, and continue cooking for 1 hour 30 minutes more, or until the ribs pull apart with a gentle tug.
5. Remove the foil (if using), baste
the ribs with the sauce, close the lid, and cook meat-side up for 10 more minutes or until the sauce is set.
Serve immediately.
Cooking tip: The back of pork ribs is covered with a membrane that some pitmasters say prevents the meat from absorbing the smoke, but this is a myth. Many don’t bother removing it, and leaving it on helps keep the ribs from falling apart when you move them.
Kansas City-Style Barbecue Sauce
Makes about 11⁄2 cups
1 cup ketchup
1⁄2 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons unsulfured blackstrap molasses
6 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons canola oil
6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons sweet paprika
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the ketchup, vinegar Worcestershire sauce, molasses and sugar until smooth.
2. In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat.
3. Add the garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds or until golden.
4. Add the salt, paprika, cinnamon, and cayenne. Cook for 10 seconds or until fragrant.
5. Stir in the ketchup mixture. Bring to a simmer and let simmer for about 1 minute or until the flavors meld.
6. Let cool and refrigerate overnight before using to let the flavors develop.
Cooking tip: When making barbecue sauce, it’s not necessary to boil the ingredients, only simmer them. Simmering them allows the flavors to meld; boiling them causes the ingredients to separate.
