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Keep It Local Blog

Stories, interviews, and local insights that we hope will inspire you to support the local shops, restaurants, and services that make Oklahoma unique.


Get to know...Alan Swan of Vintage Coffee

02.01.20

Get to know...Alan Swan of Vintage Coffee

Update: Vintage Coffee permanently closed thier doors on January 16, 2021.

We love the courage and grit displayed by small business owners who are following their passions. Alan & Carie Swan opened Vintage Coffee in 2007 with a focus on quality and service. We asked Alan to tell us a little bit about himself and about what it's like to own & operate Vintage Coffee:

Name: Alan Swan
Business: Vintage Coffee
Title: Owner/Head Dishwasher

How would you describe Vintage Coffee to someone who hasn't had the chance to visit yet?
We are the home of tasty coffee & tea drinks made with only natural & fresh ingredients. We're located on the first floor of the historic Iglesia Building at NW 49th & Western Avenue in Oklahoma City. In addition to custom made drinks, we offer sweet & savory snacks from local businesses.  Our atmosphere is relaxed inside and speedy and friendly at the drive-thru.

Tell us about opening Vintage Coffee.
We opened in 2007 about 9 miles north of our present location. In 2013, we moved to NW 49th to be more centrally located near other local businesses. After 25 years in the food service industry we had learned enough about what to do and what not to do, so we figured it was time to create something new and unique that focused on quality and service.

What do you love about operating a small business in Oklahoma?
1.  Love to see our regulars every day.
2.  Love to exceed people's expectations with how good local businesses are in Oklahoma!

What challenges or risks have you faced operating a local business?
So, so, so many...most of it has just been a learning process around how to run a business. But a good portion has been trying to show new customers every day that national chains are nowhere near as good as we are.

Vintage Coffee

What advice would you give to someone who dreams of starting their own business someday?
Make sure you really like what you want to do, because often profit, fulfillment, and growth are harder to get than you can imagine.

What are the most popular items that you sell? What are your favorite items?
Our world famous Cold Brew with real Dulce de Leche or Sweet Condensed Milk (aka "ThunDah"). The Cancun Latte with homemade Mocha and Fresh Cinnamon & Cayenne Pepper from Savory Spice Shop. Our Fresh Spice Chai Tea Latte made with spices from Savory Spice Shop.

What’s your favorite thing about your job? 
All the espresso I can drink - Every. Day.

What’s the hardest thing about your job?
Keeping up a good energy level and attitude after 30 years in the industy.  Fortunately, we have a great team of people who are far younger than me.

Vintage Coffee

Who do you admire in your line of work? Do you have any professional heroes?
The entire team from Zingerman's Deli in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I've never been there, but their books inspire me.

Do you have any favorite moments or milestones since opening your business?
We see many Oklahoma celebrities on a regular day (but we won't tell you who, so they can relax and enjoy their coffee). We also get so many amazing reviews online and words of encouragement in person. Honestly, it's not us - we just have really great customers!

What is something that people might be surprised to learn about your business?
Instead of using prepackaged syrups with questionable ingredients, we make every drink with fresh, natural flavors and sweeteners, customized to your specific taste.

What motivates you to keep doing what you're doing?
We want to have a lasting impact on the coffee scene, both locally and nationally. We think a neighborhood coffee shop has a lot to offer it's community, but very few achieve the reach that we believe we are capable of.

Vintage Coffee

In your opinion, why is it important for people to support locally-owned businesses?
We have seen time and time again how national chains are bad for communities and individuals. They simply don't care about anything but profit. We would rather do business with people we trust, whose names we know and whose lives we can be a real part of.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Race Car Driver and Fighter Plane Pilot - so, pretty much the same as making coffee.  lol.

What was your first job?
Dishwasher at a local restaurant.

What do you like to do in your free time?
What is "free" time?  

Spend time with my family or binge watch a streaming series while I do paperwork.

Is there anything that you'd like people to know about you or your business that we haven't covered yet? Tell us about it.
We have a number of ideas to grow and improve into other things, the only constant in life is change. We want to keep changing for the better!

Vintage Coffee


The original Vintage Coffee location was near the corner of NW 150th St. & N. Western Ave. in Edmond. Now you can find them at 1101 NW 49th Street in Oklahoma City. Vintage Coffee is a proud member of Keep It Local OK. Use your Keep It Local Card any day before noon to receive 10% off your purchase -or- get a 1/2 price pastry with the purcahse of any drink after noon. vintagecoffeeok.com

 

Get to know...Amber Kern of Rosegold

12.20.19

 Get To Know...Amber Kern of rosegold

We love the courage and grit displayed by small business owners who are following their passions. Amber Kern opened the doors to her modern fashion boutique in Oklahoma City about three years ago. We asked Amber to help us get to know a little bit more about her and Rosegold:

Name: Amber Kern
Business: Rosegold
Title: Owner

How would you describe your business to someone who hasn't had the chance to visit yet?
A modern, airy boutique offering responsibly made clothing from indie designers and smaller labels.

Tell us the origin story of Rosegold. 
Our OKC store opened about three years ago. We aim to bring a fresh selection of brands from around the world that are reasonably priced and at the same time good quality.

What do you love about operating a small business in Oklahoma?
We love our customers! Our ladies are fashionable and cool, but with a native friendliness and charm. We love getting to know them personally!

What challenges or risks have you faced operating a local business?
We are always trying to educate people on why they should care that brands are ethically/sustainably made, and why they are worth it.

Rosegold (Nichols Hills Plaza)

What advice would you give to someone who dreams of starting their own business someday?
Research, work in the field, network and ask questions!

What are the most popular items that you sell? What are your favorite items?
We love a sack dress and anything that's casual, easy, soft and fuss-free.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?
So many things! Everyday is different. Our customers are so fun. And market is always a fun peek at the future.

What’s the hardest thing about your job?
Balance. With the demands of the store, my family, real life, etc., it's always a little bit of a juggling act.

Rosegold (Nichols Hills Plaza)

Who do you admire in your line of work? Do you have any professional heroes?
I have friends in the industry that I look up to. They've been successful establishing stores or starting brands, and it's comforting to have them available for advice and it makes me proud to see them succeed.

Do you have any favorite moments or milestones since opening your business?
There are always fun occasions and exciting things to plan, but honestly, one of the best moments recently was helping one of our older customers who has been very ill. She's always fun and full of spunk and just getting to spend an hour or so with her made my day, and I told her so.

What is something that people might be surprised to learn about your business?
Hmmm...

What motivates you to keep doing what you're doing?
Fashion is always changing and ever-inspiring. I love that it never gets mundane.

Rosegold (Nichols Hills Plaza)

In your opinion, why is it important for people to support locally-owned businesses?
Shopping local directly impacts the people that live in your city. In my opinion, you can't beat local service: trying things on, getting styling advice, personalized texts if you want them. It's like having a personal shopper for free.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An equestrian, a pilot, an artist, a doctor, a fashion designer...let's just say I still have diverse interests.

What was your first job?
Billboard sales. Weird, right? My undergrad is in advertising, ha!

What do you like to do in your free time?
Hang out with my hubs and our little boy, , do hot yoga, be outside, hike, and travel as much as time permits.

Rosegold (Nichols Hills Plaza)


Rosegold originally opened on Western Avenue in Oklahoma City. Now you can find them at 6423 Avondale Drive in Nichols Hills Plaza. Rosegold is a proud member of Keep It Local OK. Use your Keep It Local Card when you shop to receive 10% off any purchase and a complimentary tote while supplies last. shoprosegold.com  

Get to know...Tad Kennedy of Kennedy Tire & Auto Service

09.17.19

Get to know...Tad Kennedy of Kennedy Tire & Auto Service

We love the courage and grit displayed by small business owners who are following their passions. Tad Kennedy started working at a tire store when he was just 14 years old. Ten years later, he bought the business. We asked Tad to help us get to know him and Kennedy Tire & Auto a little bit better:

Name: Tad Kennedy
Business: Kennedy Tire & Auto Service
Title: Owner/General Manager

How would you describe your business to someone who hasn't had the chance to visit yet?
We provide fast and friendly complete auto care. We are located in and serve Edmond and the surrounding cities. We guarantee the best price, the best service and the best warranty.

Tell us the origin story of Kennedy Tire & Auto Service.
I started working in the tire store when I was 14 years old. After working in the tire store during and after college, I was able to purchase the business when I was 24. It was a four bay shop that sold tires and very limited automotive repairs. Through a lot of hard work, we have been able to grow the business to an 18 bay location that provides complete auto repair and new tire sales.

Kennedy Tire & Auto

What do you love about operating a small business in Oklahoma?
There are a lot of real friendly people in Oklahoma. It is such a pleasure to serve these people and help them with their automotive needs.

What challenges or risks have you faced operating a local business?
Competing against the big chain stores can be very difficult. We have been able to provide a high level of service that sets us apart from the chain stores. A high level of locally owned service will always be valued by savvy shoppers.

What advice would you give to someone who dreams of starting their own business someday?
Be willing to work hard and be creative and provide the great service that people can’t get at the big chain stores.

What are the most popular items that you sell? What are your favorite items?
Whether it’s tires or auto repair or auto maintenance, we really enjoy offering our customers the best value for these services and products. People love our warranty that is four times longer than other automotive businesses.

Kennedy Tire & Auto

What’s your favorite thing about your job? 
Serving others and helping them make what’s maybe a frustrating day into a better day. When people come in with car problems, they can be frustrated. We love it when they leave with a smile on their face and realize that we really care about helping them.

What’s the hardest thing about your job?
Helping people understand that we really care about them and we really want to help them maintain and repair their vehicle in a cost-effective way.

Who do you admire in your line of work? Do you have any professional heroes?
The most successful people in my industry are the ones that really care about taking care of customers and providing honest and value driven services. I have had the pleasure to get to know a lot of very sharp and smart business people that have high integrity.

Do you have any favorite moments or milestones since opening your business? 
We have been blessed to be able to win the Oklahoman’s Reader’s Choice Award as one of the top automotive and tire businesses in Oklahoma City multiple times.  We have also had multiple basketball players from the Thunder NBA team bring their vehicles to us. It’s always cool to see the other customers become very excited when they see an NBA player come to the door.

What is something that people might be surprised to learn about your business?
We can beat the chain stores on price, service and warranty every single day.

What motivates you to keep doing what you're doing?
My customers. I love helping people and making their day better.

Kennedy Tire & Auto

In your opinion, why is it important for people to support locally-owned businesses?
Locally owned businesses are what keeps the community together. Whenever someone new comes to town you don’t ever tell them about how great the chain store is, you always tell them how great your favorite locally owned businesses are. That relationship, is what makes where you live a community.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An accountant

What was your first job?
Paper route when I was 10 years old.

What do you like to do in your free time?
Spend time with my wife and kids. I enjoy hanging out with friends and going to sporting events. Enjoy road cycling and traveling.

Is there anything that you'd like people to know about you or your business that we haven't covered yet? Tell us about it.
Jesus loves you and he has a plan for your life. We have "owners manuals" (Bibles) in our show room and provide them free to anyone that wants one. We are in the business of serving people and helping people, whether that be customers or employees.

Kennedy Tire & AutoPhotography provided by Kennedy Tire & Auto



Kennedy Tire & Auto has been Edmond's favorite family-owned auto shop since 1974. Whether the need is repairs, tires, or maintenance service, they aim to deliver excellence to every customer, every time. You can find Kennedy Tire & Auto at 530 W. Edmond Road. Make sure you show them your Keep It Local Card to receive • 10% off auto maintenance & repair labor ($30 MAX), • Discounted oil & filter service ($3 Basic, $5 Semi-synth, $7 Full synth), • $5 off tires (certain brands) kennedytireauto.com

 


Get to Know...Malissa Skrastins of MK Willow & Co. Salon

08.15.19

Get to know...Malissa Skrastins of MK Willow & Co. Salon

We love the courage and grit displayed by small business owners who are following their passions. After 16 years of working in a salon, Malissa Skrastins and Kasie Peak decided to purchase a salon and make it their own. We asked Malissa to help us get to know her and MK Willow & Co. Salon a little bit better:

Name: Malissa Skrastins
Business: MK Willow & Co. Salon
Title: Owner

How would you describe your business to someone who hasn't had the chance to visit yet?
MK Willow & Co. Salon is a full-service salon focusing on natural and organic hair care.

Tell us the origin story of MK Willow & Co. Salon.
After 16 years working for Eden Salon, we purchased Eden on Western Avenue in October of 2018 and it became MK Willow & Co Salon. Same great staff and services you have received for 30 years!

MK Willow & Co. Salon on Western Avenue in OKC

What do you love about operating a small business in Oklahoma?
The local community of small business owners and having personal relationships with our guests. We know your families, your joys and trials, and we adore sharing them with you.

What challenges or risks have you faced operating a local business?
Competing with online or corporate companies where the money spent there doesn’t stay in our community.

What advice would you give to someone who dreams of starting their own business someday?
Work hard and listen to the advice of those more successful than yourself.

What are the most popular items that you sell? What are your favorite items?
Aveda Haircare / Evo Haircare

Aveda products at MK Willow & Co. Salon

What’s your favorite thing about your job? 
The people...both staff and guests, hands down.

What’s the hardest thing about your job?
When guests have to move away.

Who do you admire in your line of work? Do you have any professional heroes?
Jan Hill - owner of 3 successful salons including Eden Salon Oak Grove and Eden Downtown. We purchased Eden on Western Avenue from her in 2018.

Do you have any favorite moments or milestones since opening your business?
The support we feel from the incredible reviews we have been given on our FB page and Google reviews.

What is something that people might be surprised to learn about your business?
We are a woman-owned business.

What motivates you to keep doing what you're doing?
Again, the staff and the guests.

In your opinion, why is it important for people to support locally-owned businesses?
Because more of the income generated stays in our community. We support local schools, little league, charities, and fundraisers.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Ha! A dentist.

What was your first job?
I worked in a pear packing shed in Northern California.

What do you like to do in your free time?
Travel / live music / photography

MK Willow & Co. Salon


MK Willow & Co. Salon is fully committed to the belief that what you put ON your body is as important as what you put IN your body. Stop by and say “hello” to Malissa, Kasie, and the team at 4200 N. Western Avenue in Oklahoma City, and make sure to show them your Keep It Local Card to receive 20% off a retail purchase. To learn more about their services and prices, or to book an appointment visit willowandcosalon.com (At the time of this post, MK Willow & Co. Salon was offering $20 off service for any new guest. Download the coupon from their website.)

Get to Know...Ashley Ray of Simplicity and Co. Tea House

06.18.19

 

Get to know...Ashley Ray of Simplicity and Co. Tea House

We love the courage and grit displayed by small business owners who are following their passions. At 23 years old, Ashley Ray (with her husband, Austin) quit her media job to pursue her dream of opening a loose leaf tea house in Stillwater, OK. We asked Ashley to help us get to know her and Simplicity & Co. Tea House a little bit better:

Name: Ashley Ray
Business: Simplicity & Co. Tea House
Title: Owner

How would you describe your business to someone who hasn't had the chance to visit yet? 
We're a modern loose leaf tea house in Stillwater, OK. All of our teas are all-natural, fair trade and organically grown. We serve tea drinks and have cultivated a cozy, inviting space for guests to study, read, spend some good time with a friend or just relax. We also offer tea event bookings in our Fireplace Room with vintage teacups, scones and decor. Our goal is to make tea approachable to anyone and bring it back to the modern day. Tea isn't just for grandma anymore!

Tell us the origin story of Simplicity & Co. Tea House.
My husband and I dreamed of a loose leaf tea house in Stillwater because we had to keep going to the city (Oklahoma City) to purchase our loose leaf tea. There's just something about seeing it and smelling it that makes all the difference. We also craved a quiet, calm space to spend time in and read together - all the coffee shops in town always played loud music and had tons of busyness going on. We wanted somewhere really calming and peaceful for people to relax. We came up with the idea during my senior year of college. I worked for Oklahoma State University in media for about 6 months before quitting to go open the shop. I was 23 (years old). I couldn't believe how many people we talked to before we opened spoke so rudely to us and looked down on us. They never thought we could do it. It drove us (and still does!) to push even harder to make it happen - if nothing else just to prove them all wrong! We really believe young people are the future of entrepreneurship, especially in our small town - us and other young families are what's bringing vibrancy back to our Downtown!

Interior at Simplicity & Co. Tea House

What do you love about operating a small business in Oklahoma?
I love meeting people I probably never would have otherwise. I also love meeting people when we're not at the shop that say, "You're the tea people?? I LOVE that place!" It's a huge honor.

What challenges or risks have you faced operating a local business?
Being in a small college town - we honestly don't make big bucks and it took us several years to make it through a studentless summer without taking out more loans. It's awesome to see, as we've become more of a local "standard", how our people have really taken care of us and summer doesn't scare us anymore!

What advice would you give to someone who dreams of starting their own business someday?
GO FOR IT! You'll never start if you wait until you feel ready. The best way to learn is just to do it. It's never going to work out perfectly, or the way you imagine, but it's so rewarding to be a part of something bigger than yourself. Your community will thank you!

What are the most popular items that you sell?
Tea drinks are our biggest selling item - during the summer our top selling tea is Watermelon Refresher and during the winter it's Butterscotch.

Wall of tea at Simplicity & Co. Tea House

What’s your favorite thing about your job? 
My favorite part of the day-to-day is doing photoshoots and scheduling social media. I also love getting our team together. We're so lucky to have such great people working for us - they're family more than employees!

What’s the hardest thing about your job?
Taxes, budgeting and making money decisions. Not my favorite parts!

Who do you admire in your line of work? Do you have any professional heroes?
I really admire what Erica with the Tea Bar in Portland has done. She also started her business at a really young age and has grown it so much. It's so inspiring. Being a young entrepreneur doesn't mean you can't be really successful.

Do you have any favorite moments or memorable milestones since opening Simplicity & Co.?
When we first opened, we snagged a spot in a shopping center that was already set up for a restaurant. We liked the idea of Downtown, but didn't think we could afford rent and a remodel. Well it turns out that the shopping center rent was what we couldn't afford. We wanted out but had NO CLUE what to do. One day, a woman walked in and asked me, "Are you Ashley? I have a spot Downtown for you if you want it!" I'd never met her before but she had a gut feeling about me and asked. We moved two months later and it's been the best thing to happen for our business. We love getting to be a part of the Downtown community and all the events held there. I love that all our business friends are a quick walk away. It's a crazy story and I'll forever be grateful she walked in that day!

What is something that people might be surprised to learn about your business?
People always think we're a chain! I guess because we have such high standards for our branding. It always makes me laugh. Sometimes I think we did TOO good of a job.

Iced tea at Simplicity & Co. Tea House

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to travel and I NEVER wanted to work in an office. I always had tons of crazy business ideas as a kid and my parents always let me try them. Owning my own business wasn't ever even a question.

What was your first job?
My first job was working for a local studio photographer in Downtown Stillwater. (Right around the corner from our shop!) I edited and ordered images for them and eventually got to shoot a little too before they retired and moved. I'm so thankful I've always gotten to do something I've loved!

What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to read and visit the library at least twice a week thanks to my three-year-old! I photograph a few weddings a year and love shooting new photos for S&Co. We are huge foodies, so if eating can count as an extracurricular activity - we're into that. We love visiting cities and trying local restaurants.

What motivates you to keep doing what you're doing?
Our Downtown community. We so believe in our town and see the potential it has to grow beyond just somewhere people live for four years while they're in school. I want it to develop it's own unique culture and getting to be a part of that is a huge honor.

In your opinion, why is it important for people to support locally-owned businesses?
The culture of towns and cities is BUILT on small business. You don't visit or go on vacation and eat at chain restaurants. You go and get a taste of the local culture. The same goes when deciding where to live. People want culture, they want relationships and they want to feel they belong. These aren't things you feel at chain businesses. You get that at small businesses. I think it's important to support them so they can stay open and BE THERE for their community!

Mug of hot tea at Simplicity & Co. Tea HousePhotography provided by Simplicity & Co. Tea House


Simplicity and Co. is a modern loose leaf tea house that features over 80 different teas, handcrafted specialty drinks like tea lattes & sparkling teas, and tea by the ounce. They also offer their private Fireplace Room for parties and event rental for up to 20 guests. Stop by and say “hello” to Ashley and the team at their beautiful downtown location in Stillwater, OK and make sure to show them your Keep It Local Card to receive $1 off any tea drink.  simplicityandco.com