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Made in Oklahoma: 23rd Street Antique Mall
The Daily Oklahoman
Published: June 3, 2009
About The Company
- Web site: www.antiques23.com
- Key personnel: Bill and Denny McConnell
Love of antiques sparked business
Bill and Denny McConnell say they’re happy to see the central city rebounding — and they’re celebrating their own 20th anniversary of making their own stand as urban pioneers.
The McConnells, self-described antique lovers and longtime collectors, started as managers of the May Antique Mall during the summer of 1989. On just a hand shake and oral agreement with the owner of the mall, they agreed that they could buy the business and lease the building if they were successful in building up the new operation.
The deal went off as envisioned, and when their lease expired eight years later, they acquired the former home of Adair’s Tropical Cafeteria at 3023 NW 23 and converted it into the 23rd Street Antique Mall.
The property was familiar turf for Denny McConnell, who recalled eating at Adair’s as a young girl.
The building was in poor shape at the time it was purchased, with the roof leaking, windows broken and weeds covering the parking lot. But with the help of their sons, the pair rescued the building and renovated it into an 11,000-square-foot multidealer gallery.
The couple are celebrating their 20th anniversary 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. July 4 with door prizes, free refreshments and participation by several of the mall’s dealers.
Steve Lackmeyer, Business Writer
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