NORTHWEST

Cox Communications opened a Cox Solutions Store at 2340 NW 23. The store is in the space previously occupied by a Cox customer service center. The office was damaged by floods last summer, so operations were moved to a trailer in the parking lot, and then across the street to Shepherd Mall.

The store incorporates the company’s new look and feel of its retail stores and offers a variety of products and displays, rather than just being a place to pay a bill, says Christine Martin, Cox director of communications.

The store still will provide customer support and accept payments for services. The company is transitioning its retail stores around the country to this model.

“Visitors will encounter a full-service experience that is interactive, personal and tailored to their specific needs,” Martin says. “They will be able to learn about Cox’s products and services at their own pace.”

NORTH

Design Resources opened in an office park at 7720 N Robinson. It is a collaboration between Oklahoma City window treatment designer Michael Smith, Tulsa-based Phonograph Electronic Architecture and Tulsa’s Pohlenz Cucine Moderne.

Smith says the strategic partnership will bring all three under one roof to offer clients a variety of merchandise in a 12,000-square-foot space. The showroom was designed by his wife, architect Randy Floyd.

Smith has been in the business since 1971, when he purchased a window treatment company that began in 1951. For the last seven years, he has been in a 7,000-squarefoot space on NW 23 Street.

In addition to a variety of motorized window treatments on display, the space features a modern, high-end kitchen; a model living room and bedroom; and a theater.

The showroom is not open to the public, but is available for viewing by appointment. Smith says he deals primarily with interior designers, architects and general contractors for commercial and residential projects. He says he worked closely with the Tulsa firms, and this move will give them an opportunity for further collaboration, which will diversify their products and services.

The showroom will be on display during the American Institute of Architects Central Oklahoma chapter’s Architecture Week, beginning April 11.

SOUTHWEST

Sports-themed barbershop SportClips opened at 10440 S Western, in the Palagio shopping center. Geared toward males, the franchise features sports memorabilia on display and televisions tuned to sports programming.

The nine SportClip shops in the metro area are owned by Larry Shipman, who, with his wife, Donna, opened their first store in Norman in 2002. They have plans for an additional site in Moore.

“Everyone needs a haircut, and we’ve been true to our mission of creating a championship haircut experience for men and boys in an exciting sports environment,” he says. “That’s why the SportClips concept continues to grow here in Oklahoma City and across the country.”

The Georgetown, Texas-based chain was founded in 1995.

DOWNTOWN

The Oklahoma City commercial real estate firm of Sperry Van Ness/William T. Strange and Associates at 101 Park Ave. was honored by Sperry Van Ness headquarters as third-best of the 160 offices in the nation. The company also honored David Burnett and Tim Strange of the local office. For the last three years, the firm has placed in the top 10.

The local office was ranked in terms of 2010 business volume. That year, Burnett, alongside his brother, Andy Burnett, handled the $17.2 million sale of the Regency Tower and the $19.7 million sale of the Stoneleigh on May apartments. For his efforts, David Burnett came in as the fifth-ranked Sperry Van Ness adviser in the country, in terms of sales volume.

Tim Strange, managing director, was ranked No. 10 nationwide for SVN advisers, after being ranked top adviser in the country for 2009.

“This honor is the result of our team working together like never before and focusing on the basics of commercial real estate,” Strange says, “such as building quality client relationships, conducting the extra work necessary to complete deals, prospecting to gain listings and focusing on quality assets that are well-priced.”

DEL CITY

A $1.3 million renovation is under way at the Del City Community Center, 4505 SE 15 – the first since the building was constructed in 1965. It also houses the city library and a fire station, for which renovations also are planned.

When complete, the community room will be able to be divided into smaller rooms to accommodate more than one event a time. It will be available for parties, meetings and community events. The kitchen will be converted to a caterer’s kitchen to accommodate large events.

Funding comes from a 2007 sales tax increase that was earmarked for the renovation. City Manager Mark Edwards says work began in February and should be completed in about six months. –Kelley Chambers