









Green Bay Open for Business | News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News





Fox 11’s “Open for Business” Spotlight: A Neighborhood Revitalization Tour
When the pandemic left storefronts empty and the hum of traffic outside a shuttered shop fell to a whisper, many Oklahoma City residents were left wondering what would happen to the city’s once‑thriving downtown corridor. In a fresh effort to bring community members back together, Fox 11’s “Open for Business” series is leading a tour of the city’s most promising new and reopening enterprises. The segment—available on the station’s website at “https://fox11online.com/on-fox-11/open-for-business”—is a weekly roundup that blends interview footage, behind‑the‑scenes footage, and on‑the‑ground commentary from local entrepreneurs.
The show is broken into three key components: Spotlight Interviews, Business Tours, and Community Connect. Together, they create a narrative that goes beyond sales figures and marketing slogans and instead focuses on the people and projects shaping Oklahoma City’s economic future. The first episode premiered in March, and the series has quickly become a fan‑favorite, driving foot traffic to the businesses featured and sparking conversations about the role of local commerce in the post‑COVID era.
1. Spotlight Interviews: Personal Stories Behind the Door
The segment opens with an in‑depth interview with each business owner, giving viewers a window into their motivations, challenges, and hopes for the community. For example, one episode featured Luna’s Patisserie, a new bakery that opened its doors in the old Mabel Store building on 3rd Street. The owner, Maria Garcia, told Fox 11 that she was inspired by the “legacy of family and food” in the neighborhood and wanted to blend traditional French pastries with Oklahoma‑inspired flavors. She explains how the pandemic forced her to pivot her marketing strategy from a grand opening event to a virtual “taste‑and‑teach” series, which helped generate early buzz before the physical opening.
Another episode showcased Bluebird Creative Studios, an up‑and‑coming design firm that had shuttered its downtown office when the city’s office supply chain was disrupted. The founder, Jeff Daniels, discussed the company’s new focus on digital product design and how a partnership with the local community college’s design program helped them rebuild from the ground up.
These interviews are more than a simple sales pitch; they’re an exploration of resilience, adaptation, and community‑first thinking that the Fox 11 team weaves into a cohesive story for viewers. By humanizing the “business” term, they encourage audiences to consider how supporting these ventures goes beyond economic interest—it’s about investing in the social fabric of the city.
2. Business Tours: On‑the‑Ground Exploration
Following each interview, Fox 11’s crew takes viewers on a walk‑through of the featured business. The camera pans across the interior, capturing the unique design, the daily operations, and the local customers who have become part of the story.
One memorable tour visited The Rustic Roost, a locally‑owned restaurant that re‑opened after a 14‑month closure. The host highlighted the farm‑to‑table menu, the emphasis on using produce from the Oklahoma City Farmer’s Market, and a new “open kitchen” layout that invites diners to watch the chefs at work. The segment also includes a segment about the restaurant’s partnership with a local nonprofit that offers cooking classes for under‑privileged youth.
Another episode focused on a new boutique called Urban Gear, which sells handmade leather goods made by local artisans. The tour showcased the shop’s “maker space,” where customers can watch artisans at work and order custom pieces. By tying together the store’s aesthetic and the creators behind the pieces, Fox 11 gives viewers a deeper sense of what sets each business apart.
These tours often link to the business’ own websites or social media pages via clickable overlays on the Fox 11 site. Viewers are encouraged to click through to learn more about opening hours, promotions, and upcoming events. In many cases, the links lead to the businesses’ own “Open for Business” pages, providing a direct line of communication and a real‑time way for residents to support them.
3. Community Connect: The Bigger Picture
The series concludes with a segment that frames each business within the broader context of local economic development. Fox 11 often references data from the Oklahoma City Economic Development Authority (OCEDA) and interviews local city officials who discuss initiatives like the Downtown Revitalization Program, grants for small businesses, and incentives for businesses that employ local residents.
The episode on Solar City Solar Solutions exemplifies this approach. The show highlighted how the company’s installation of solar panels at the newly reopened City Hall not only cut the municipal energy budget but also provided job training for 20 local youth. Fox 11’s host interviewed City Manager Linda Thompson, who emphasized the importance of “public‑private partnerships” in building a more sustainable, resilient local economy.
These community‑connect segments give the viewer a holistic view of how individual business stories fit into the larger narrative of a city recovering from a global crisis. The result is an engaging mix of storytelling, business promotion, and civic education that feels fresh and relevant to the audience.
What You Can Do
If you’re an Oklahoma City resident looking to support local entrepreneurs—or a newcomer curious about what makes the city unique—Fox 11’s “Open for Business” series is a great starting point. The site offers easy-to‑click links for each business, a calendar of upcoming events, and a “Donate” button that channels community funds to businesses in need. Moreover, the Fox 11 team regularly updates the series with new businesses, keeping the content fresh and ensuring that the conversation around local economic revival continues to evolve.
Whether you’re a first‑time visitor or a long‑time resident, there’s always a new story to discover in the city’s streets—and with each episode, Fox 11 invites you to play a role in building a brighter, more vibrant future for Oklahoma City.
Read the Full Fox 11 News Article at:
[ https://fox11online.com/on-fox-11/open-for-business ]