How these OKC Metro businesses or buildings become landmarks in the community

Buildings and businesses become landmarks and a part of a city's history, especially when they survive over a span of decades.

In 2022, Richard Mize, who has reported extensively about real estate for The Oklahoman, wrote about three metro-area shopping centers that had a combined history of 250 years:

• Campus Corner in Norman, dating to 1917.
• Mayfair Village Shopping Center, NW 50 and N May Avenue, which was Oklahoma City's original retail corridor, started in 1948.
• Park Estates, at NE 36 and N Kelley Avenue, started in 1951.

More: From our archives: See what Oklahoma City's Crossroads Mall looked like through the years

Mize's story reflected on what people remembered seeing, tasting, experiencing in connection with these cornerstones of retail.

Erin Yarbrough, a 2005 grad of the University of Oklahoma, said about Campus Corner in Norman, "I would pay all the monies for Cafe Plaid tortellini salad and free focaccia bread."

Casey Friedman said, "I have very fond memories of eating pizza with my grandfather at Hole in the Wall Pizza on Campus Corner on game days in the early '90s."

And Mayfair Village in Oklahoma City?

"May Avenue was the original retail corridor for Oklahoma City, and Mayfair Village anchored the south end of the corridor," Jim Parrack said.

And Karen Johnston's memory of Park Estates?

"We lived two miles away from Park Estates Shopping Center. My sister and I were 11 years old and 8 years old," Johnston said. "We saved our allowance, from doing our chores, so we could buy our mother a TG&Y glass pitcher and six iced tea glasses for her birthday. She had it until she passed in 1992! Great memory!"

Thinking back to one's childhood, it is these memories of shopping at favorite stores that linger — or maybe thoughts of what used to exist. The buildings where the stores operate take on a life, changing as businesses change, hopefully evolving and surviving.

As written by Mize: " Each one withstood the test of time for different reasons ..."

More: 3 shopping centers served Oklahoma for 250 years combined. Why they're still in business today

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: How these OKC Metro businesses or buildings become landmarks in the community