Iconic Oklahoma City Stockyards Heartbreaking Announcement
If there was any sign that life is a real struggle right now, this has to be top of the list in Oklahoma. The company that owns one of the most iconic staples of Sooner State, and the largest stockyard in the industry, has announced they're stepping down for the next in line.
Generations Running The Oklahoma City Stockyards Has Come To An End
Despite their long-lived notoriety in the state, it looks like the family who has ran the OKC National Stockyards after four generations has decided to hand the reigns over to the next person in line.
According to an interview with The Oklahoman, board Chairman Chris Bakwin said that, while his family owns a "significant" amount of shares in the Oklahoma City Stockyards Co., other shares are split between Oklahomans in agribusiness and investors across the country."
Unfortunately, due to the decline in the cattle stock industry, Bakwin told The Oklahoman that he feels he's making the best choice for the other stockholders, and the future, of the company.
"We would be very happy to see it in the hands of progressive Oklahoma agribusiness people who can position the stockyards for the future.” -Chris Bakwin, Oklahoma City Stockyards Co. Board Chairman
The idea behind selling their shares in the Stockyards is to bring more business in a different way to the historic site.
What Could This Mean For The OKC Stockyards?
@oklahoma.smoke Discover Our Hidden Cowboy Haven! Join us on a 4-minute walk above the bustling cattle lots of OKC’s Historic Stockyard City, leading to our secret dining spot. Established in 1910, this market is the world’s largest stocker and feeder market. Welcome to Oklahoma Smoke, where real cowboys and ranch hands eat. ️✨ #hiddenoklahoma #okchiddengems #cowboyeats #oklahomabbq #burgers #secretmenus #okcstockyards #oklahomatiktok #foodie #okcthunder ♬ original sound - Oklahoma Smoke
Since cattle numbers are down and the sale prices have gone up, Bakwin believes it's time to take a new approach to bringing businesses to Stockyard City. For comparison, take a look at one of the most profitable tourist areas in Texas, the Fort Worth Stockyards.
While the Oklahoma City Stockyards maintain traditions and try to make the most of their money through the cattle themselves, the Fort Worth Stockyards changed their set up years ago.
Now, the Fort Worth Stockyards are known as the tourist hub of southern Texas. Rather than seeing cattle business happening there, you'll see restaurants, western themed stores, and novelty events like the daily cattle run. The new and improved OKC Stockyards are, ideally, supposed to look a lot more tourist-friendly like Fort Worth.
The Stockyards Versus The Rest Of OKC
Maybe the idea of an upgrade for this historic spot doesn't seem so bad. After all, most of the other districts around have gotten a face lift over the years, while the Stockyards has been at a stand still.
Oklahoma City in its recent years has added a more creative look to several of the districts like Automobile Alley, Deep Deuce even the Boathouse District.
While all of these neighborhoods have been vibrant with new colors, businesses and even newly paved roads to make it all tourist-friendly, the Stockyards has remained centered around working and bringing in cattle.
According to Brad Rice, advisor for the firm and the man brokering the sale, eyes are already on the Stockyards property and "how to make it more of a destination similar to the Plaza District and Paseo."
Reactions To The Heartbreaking News
The decision wasn't an easy one for Bakwin to make. He told the Oklahoman "It's an emotional issue for me personally, but i can’t put my personal feelings above the interests of the owners of the company."
But the news hasn't just been "gut wrenching" for him. Many Oklahomans are sad to see the family step down. Some comments from Instagram are:
- "This makes me kind of sad. It will get scooped up by a developer or something." -sounds_fancy, Instagram
- "it wouldn’t be stockyard’s city anymore … cowtown would be gone … Cattlemen’s steak house, Langston’s and others could suffer. That would be a shame." -markadamgoff, Instagram
- "This is so sad." -belovedjoy2020, Instagram
A few folks are optimistic about the news, even if it is heartbreaking to hear.
"Change can be hard but sometimes necessary " -oystermanok, Instagram
What do you think of the news? Is it this a good or bad move for Stockyard City? Tell us your thoughts through the app.
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