The Little Engine That Could

Just over four years ago, Elliot Nelson opened his first business in downtown Tulsa. At the time of the opening, this area of town was almost desolate. Downtown had a bad rap; a place to avoid after dark, a haven for the homeless and criminals.

McNellies: if you build it, they will come. A massive load of funds and labor were put into renovating the old building at 1st and Elgin, which is now home to "probably Tulsa's best pub." In the short history of McNellies, the downtown that Tulsans know today has come to life with the addition of more businesses, nightlife, and the new BOK arena, due to open this fall. Maybe that homeless guy will still hassle you on the corner, but some things never change.

The success of McNellies has been so monumental that Elliot has duplicated his idea, opening a second location in downtown Oklahoma City. The new pub is in the Plaza Court building at 10th and Walker. The new location has two floors with a bar on each, and a mezzanine overlooking the first floor. The anticipation of this new pub has been building for over two years, having an original opening date targeted for St. Patrick's Day of 2007. Finally the location has opened their doors this week, and Oklahoma City locals can now enjoy what the Tulsans have been enjoying for the past few years.

I guess the only bad news about this story is that McNellies, a former one-of-a-kind Tulsa treasure, is now a chain. While two locations hardly gives it a commercialized feel, I guess we'll know we have to worry when the staff is required to wear a minimum of 15 pieces of flare.