A grocery store and coffee roastery are preparing to open in Broken Arrow’s Rose District, bringing a local market to an area where city officials say residents have wanted one for years. The District Mercantile Grocery and Deli and Wanderlust Coffee Roastery will occupy the corner of Dallas and Main streets.
The businesses will share a 2,200-square-foot space that remained vacant and boarded up for nearly four years following the departures of Spoke House Bicycles and the Rattlesnake Café. Owner Randall Ryan leased the property in April and has been renovating it since then. As of the November 11 report, he estimated opening within a week, though health inspectors must finish their review and approve the space before shelves can be stocked.
District Mercantile’s planned offerings include a grab-and-go deli, a limited selection of groceries and locally sourced foods. Customers will be able to buy cheeses, eggs, produce and honey, along with coffee freshly roasted at the adjoining Wanderlust operation. Both businesses are owned by Ryan, whose work in the district began with coffee sales at its farmers market.
Ryan started selling cups of coffee from a mobile trike at the Rose District Farmers Market 11 years ago, building his brand before opening his first permanent coffee shop. His company, Rise, Grind & Ride, LLC, is paying the approximately $255,310 renovation investment upfront.
Under an economic development agreement approved by the Broken Arrow City Council in July, Ryan can receive up to $80,000 in city reimbursement after the businesses open. The agreement covers all city permitting and inspection fees and as much as half the cost of physical building renovations. Spending on equipment and intellectual property does not qualify.
Brent Brassfield, the city’s business retention and development coordinator, said the public contribution supports building infrastructure that would remain available to another business if the current operation moved or closed. He said he had pursued a local market throughout his seven years with the city because residents wanted one and the district needed it.
People familiar with the area described the grocery as a useful addition. Rose District regular Debbie Morris said having a nearby place to pick up groceries would be convenient while visiting for other activities. Gentry, who lives a few minutes from the district, said the surrounding small neighborhoods made the location a good fit.
Brassfield said the project advances the downtown lifestyle envisioned by the council and senior city management. While the district already has shops, restaurants and bars, he said it also needs everyday goods and services. He noted that local markets once served downtown areas and that Broken Arrow now has that need again. The city expects the project to bring additional sales tax revenue, jobs and foot traffic while supporting downtown vitality.
