Warm orange light spills onto dark brown booths as country music rings out. Barstools line the floor. Steaming plates of food are carried to hungry customers. Students come and go through the building as the lights fade and the music changes.
The Wagon, Campus Corner’s only country-themed bar, opened in August, replacing Blackbird Gastropub.
From the lighting to the decor, The Wagon exemplifies a Western-country vibe, which Maya Banks — The Wagon’s general manager and OU alum — said was not only missing from Norman but needed.
“We always knew we wanted to go country,” Banks said. “That was something that we felt Norman needed. Other people felt like Norman needed a country bar or something country-themed. And so we were more than happy to take on that challenge and fill that space on Campus Corner.”
The Wagon on Nov. 12.
Banks said she wanted the bar to be different yet familiar. Referencing the classic Sooner Schooner, the wagon pulled by OU’s mascots, she felt the name “The Wagon” was a fitting homage to the university.
Banks said the welcome to Campus Corner has been great.
“It's been a very warm reception from Campus Corner and the greater Norman area,” Banks said. “People seem to be really excited about what we're doing here.”
When the general manager position opened up, Banks said it was the perfect mix of passion and opportunity.
“We heard about the space and the possibility that we could get keys (to the building). It's been vacant for a year and a half, and we were very keen on the idea,” Banks said. “We saw an opportunity, seized it and we're very happy that we did.”
Scott Martin, president and CEO of the Norman Chamber of Commerce, said starting a business in Norman like The Wagon is becoming more accessible for entrepreneurs.
“We get it in our heads that to start a business, you have already been successful. Well, that's not typically the case,” Martin said. “Most entrepreneurs didn't start successful. They saw their opportunity became successful and their success begets success.”
Martin said new business ventures like The Wagon follow his goal of growing business in Norman.
“My goal is to make Norman the startup capital of the state,” Martin said. “We already have a lot of great startups here, but we need to work a little bit harder making sure that the capital is here for businesses to get off the ground.”
Martin is part of Team Norman, a coalition of organizations, businesses and volunteers committed to growing businesses and opportunities in the city.
Banks said she hopes The Wagon will provide necessary variety to the restaurants and cuisines available to Norman residents.
“The term I use is flavor fatigue. When you eat your favorite food over and over again, you're bound to want something different every once in a while, and so that's us,” Banks said. “We want to be your something different.’”
In July, OU officially moved from the Big 12 to the Southeastern Conference along with longtime rival University of Texas at Austin.
Dan Schemm, president and CEO of Visit Norman, said the SEC has given the Norman community a massive boost in revenue and business growth.
According to Schemm, of the total amount of money spent in the city during the OU-Tennessee weekend, 34.5% came from visitors.
“What's really cool is that 56% of that amount spent from visitors went to local businesses, not chains, …” Schemm said. “45% of their spend was on restaurants, 22% went to retail and visitors accounted for 94% of spend at hotels.”
Banks said the move to the SEC could not have come at a better time and fits with the natural flow and changes that come with Campus Corner.
“It's very fitting that we came to be during OU’s career in the SEC. I would say every few years Campus Corner goes through a change, with every graduating class really,” Banks said. “We're just happy to be here now.”
Banks said the new business venture doesn’t stop with The Wagon. Archive, a bar run by The Wagon’s owners, operates on the third floor of the building with an emphasis on serving OU seniors and alums.
“That's definitely what sets us apart up there (at Archive). Come get cute, take pictures and hang out with your friends,” said Banks. “We want students, specifically seniors, to have a place on campus, before they leave, to hang out. And once they do leave, they have somewhere to come back to and share memories.”
Banks said that she wants The Wagon to be a place on Campus Corner where residents can make memories over food and drinks.
“Come in, eat, drink and be merry,” Banks said. “We want to be your spot on Campus Corner.”
This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure, Ana Barboza and Ismael Lele. Kylie Caldwell, Avery Avery and Mary Ann Livingood copy edited this story.
