Construction crews are hard at work on NW 10th Street just east of Garth Brooks Boulevard. You may have noticed that a new Schlotzsky’s is being built just east of Chicken Express – and they’re now hiring.
This won’t be just your normal, everyday Schlotzsky’s sandwich shop. Yukon’s new 3,000 square foot restaurant will be a Schlotzsky’s Austin Eatery, the company’s first in Oklahoma.
When I interviewed franchise owner Shireen Panjwani this spring, she said this Schlotzsky’s will create 50 to 60 jobs.
Shireen, who will own the restaurant with her husband Karim, live in Piedmont and already own a Schlotzsky’s in Shawnee.
All the Schlotzsky’s in this area are being remodeled. This will be the Austin, Texas-based company’s 20th restaurant in Oklahoma.
When construction began, I chuckled at comments I read online from people thinking Yukon was getting (all together now) “another chicken restaurant” along the Garth Brooks Boulevard corridor.
The only real downside of the new Schlotzsky’s (purely from a local sales tax revenue perspective) is that our Austin Eatery will be on the south side of NW 10th Street. In case you hadn’t heard, everything south of 10th Street is in Oklahoma City limits so any sales at those businesses benefit City of Oklahoma City tax coffers – not Yukon.
With expansion of the Marketplace at Czech Hall retail development south of NW 10th and west of Czech Hall Road, it’s no wonder the City of Yukon’s sales tax income growth remains stagnant.
It likely will remain so until businesses open inside Yukon city limits near the future Interstate 40 / Frisco Road interchange.
Another concern that many people have who travel in south Yukon is growing traffic congestion.
It seems reasonable to assume the south side of 10th Street will continue to develop in coming years. Property all along that stretch of road (between Garth Brooks Boulevard and Cornwell) is being marketed for more retail growth.
It already can be treacherous along 10th Street, especially during peak traffic times. Those of you who’ve tried turning left from Holly or from the Kohl’s parking lot during lunchtime or rush hour don’t have to be reminded.
Imagine what it will be like when those now-vacant lots on the south side of N.W. 10th have retail businesses built on them?
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NEWEST MOST MISSPELLED WORD IN YUKON: Schlotzsky’s.
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Have you marked your calendar for this Saturday? Have you gotten your tickets yet? Do you like authentic Italian pasta? Do you want to support your community?
Even if you said “yes” to just one of those questions, make plans to attend Compassionate Hands’ annual Spaghetti Dinner from 5:30-7 p.m. June 22 at Yukon Masonic Lodge #90, 1201 E Main.
Dinner tickets are $5 for some amazing, all-you-can-eat spaghetti, salad and bread. You also can win door prizes for restaurant gift certificates.
Get tickets in advance from any Compassionate Hands board member, call 354-9591 or visit compassionatehandsyukon.org
Or just show up between 5:30-7 p.m. Saturday and get your tickets at the door. Food, fun and fellowship. What else can you ask for?
Well, you should know your attendance at Saturday’s Spaghetti Dinner will support an outstanding cause. Compassionate Hands helps people in temporary crisis by providing housing and utility assistance and help with medications and transportation.
This is a great helping ministry that’s had a real impact on Yukon during the past 25 years.
Get dinner and raffle tickets from me or any of these Compassionate Hands’ board members (I’m sure you know at least one or several):
Joanne Riley (director), Pastor Tim Baer, Bill Baker, Alycia Barry, Jason Brunk, Lisa Everly, Marsha Felton, Pastor Keith Henson, Jaquita Icenhower, Matt McQuade, Pastor Kent Mullens, David Murphy, Heather Murphy, Cathy Patton, Sherry Poage, Pastor Ray Rhoton, and Tim Ingram.
Thanks to the Yukon Masons for supporting Saturday’s benefit dinner. They have provided use of their facilities to Compassionate Hands and will match the amount raised up to $1,000.
Kudos to Masonic Lodge #90 Worshipful Master Warren Dry and his fellow Masons for the help they provide so many groups in our community.
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Speaking of good causes, did I miss seeing you last Friday at the annual Yukon Veterans Museum yard sale? It was Friday and Saturday at the American Legion building on Main Street.
I saw some of my favorite people (and Veterans Museum members) when I stopped by around 11 a.m. last Friday. Rick Cacini, Tom Thomas, Jerry Icenhower, Jenny Crane, and other friendly faces were helping customers find the best bargains. Jenny Crane reported Tuesday it was a “successful sale for the museum.”
Jerry Icenhower gave me a sneak peek of the new “mobile” Yukon Veterans Museum that will debut during the City of Yukon’s Freedom Fest.
