Center 1 Grows Quality Retail, Restaurants
By EMILY RAMSEY
Managing Editor
AESTHETIC APPEAL IN BROOKSIDE: Center 1, located on the west side of Peoria Avenue between 34th Street and 35th Place, holds a variety of quality retailers, restaurants and services. Henry Aberson began to develop the center in 2003 with the vision of creating “an avenue of quality retailers and restaurants.”
EMILY RAMSEY for GTR Newspapers
For many years, the Brookside stretch of Peoria Avenue, from 31st Street to Interstate 44, has been known as a highly-frequented entertainment district. Today, the area between 34th Street and 35th Place has blossomed into a high-quality shopping and restaurant district, with one local developer and business owner hoping to see future growth of the area continue.
Henry Aberson began developing Center 1 in 2003. The center sits on the west side of Peoria Avenue from 34th Street to 35th Place and is home to retailers, restaurants and services.
Aberson, whose clothing store by the same name came to Brookside in 1986, began renovations to create Center 1 with the vision of what he terms “an avenue of quality retailers and restaurants.”
That vision has resonated with clients and shop owners alike.
Athletic wear company Lululemon Athletica is preparing to open a free-standing store, with a second floor outdoor yoga deck overlooking Peoria Avenue. The store is scheduled to open Nov. 22.
With most of the area along Peoria Avenue largely developed years ago, city code issues make it difficult to develop new projects, Aberson says. Yet, he remains eager to do just that and bring highly sought-after quality products and services to the Tulsa market to create a mix of local and national tenants.
“Center 1 is made up of local, passionate owners who are providing a high level of service and quality products,” he says.
SR Hughes was Center 1’s first tenant. The company began in 1980, when Sara Rodgers Hughes and daughters Sallie O’Neill Hughes and Beth Hughes Sachse opened an antique business in Tulsa. Today, the two sisters have been joined by a third generation of family members and additional personnel. The SR Hughes design group represents a collection of classic modern vendors unmatched in Oklahoma and surrounding areas. SR Hughes also offers interior design services. The company has appeared in many regional and national design publications.
Pohlenz Cucine Moderne represents some of the finest modern architectural products from Italy, including kitchens, bathrooms, doors, closet and stair systems, bathrooms, and indoor and outdoor furniture. Architect Scott Pohlenz launched Pohlenz in 2008 after spending 17 years designing projects in the U.S. and Europe.
Jara Herron Salon and Medical Spa offers hair and nail services, skin care, laser services, body treatments, and organic hair products.
Little Black Dress is a contemporary women’s boutique, offering personalized service and unique fashion and accessories.
Black Optical provides an unsurpassed collection of eye and sun wear in a modern environment with a focus on customer service.
Abersons has made its name providing high level customer service, and selling stylish high-quality clothing, shoes and accessories from around the world for women and men.
Edit. is a design store focused on selling useful, well-designed objects for everyday living.
On A Whim began in Oklahoma City before expanding to Center 1. The shop’s owners endeavor to provide a one-stop shop for personal and home items.
Exhibit is an art gallery showing the work of mid-career and emerging artists. Kim Fonder, master curator, introduces monthly shows to inspire and introduce new works to the local arts scene.
Mondo’s Italian Restaurant, founded in 1969, features family recipes handed down from generation to generation in a vintage, cozy atmosphere.
Blue Moon Café, located in the middle of Center 1, provides breakfast, lunch and dinner in a comfortable yet modern setting with outdoor seating available.
Keo Asian Cuisine provides lunch and dinner with a focus on healthy and fresh ingredients.
“We are the only walkable street shop area in Tulsa where you can park your car, stroll down the street, and find quality, stylish shopping and services for you and your home,” Aberson says.
In order to address Center 1’s parking options, Aberson recently expanded the parking area behind the center so that it now holds 200 spaces for Center 1 clients.
Updated 10-28-2013
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