2 businesses will soon call Pawhuska home

Two new businesses are gearing up to open in Pawhuska, catering to the new tourist influx and established ranch culture in the area.

Joni Nash, the city of Pawhuska’s economic development director and executive cirector of Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce, said Oklahoma City-based LOREC Ranch will be opening soon along Kihekah Avenue and a new tourism business, Roaming the Osage, will open its doors along Main Street soon.

LOREC Ranch specializes in handcrafted rustic furniture and accessories. The store, located at 536 Kihekah Ave., just north of the Pioneer Woman Mercantile, is scheduled to have a soft opening at the end of next week and an official grand opening on Sept. 23.

“A store like LOREC Ranch is something you would expect to see in places like Jackson Hole, Wyoming,” Nash said. “With the high-end furnishings and rustic decor, we are very excited to have this in Pawhuska.”

LOREC Ranch co-owner Kari Lopez said the company is a family-owned and operated business that was established in Oklahoma City in 1993. There was a store in Texas and a showroom at the World Trade Center in New York City.

“Since then, this is our only other venture outside of Oklahoma City,” Lopez said. “To tell you the truth, I’m busting at the seams with excitement about opening in Pawhuska. It’s such a great town and we already have done a lot of work for area customers.”

In fact, the furnishings within the Mercantile next door were completed by LOREC Ranch, Lopez said.

“It’s a great location and with the relationship we already have with Ladd and Ree Drummond, and the Merc, it’s a great fit,” she said. “Our roots lie in designing things for the American cowboy and ranch life. The store will be filled with all handmade rustic furnishings and decor.”

Once all the finishing touches and staging at the LOREC Ranch store are complete, the hours of operation will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed on Sunday, Lopez said.

Casey Hindman also is opening a new business venture on Main Street, Roaming the Osage. The company will offer tours of Osage County for all the visitors that are coming to town.

Nash said Roaming the Osage will be based at the former Hinkle’s gas station on Main Street with an expected opening in September.

“This is going to be such a cool thing for everyone,” she said. “Casey Hindman has purchased a large vehicle that has a convertible top. It will offer tourists a panoramic view of the Osage and Pawhuska and when the weather is good, the top can come off, making it an open-air experience.”

According to Nash, the vehicle is a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter that has been converted by Caleche USA. The tours will be narrated and will take visitors to multiple historic and scenic sites throughout Osage County.

“It is really an exciting time in Pawhuska,” Nash said. “For us to see the restoration happening right before our eyes is a thrill and an honor to experience.”

Nash said several other businesses are joining the Chamber of Commerce too.

A ribbon cutting will be held Friday at 11:30 a.m. outside of El Vallarta’s restaurant, 1201 John Dahl Avenue. Another ribbon cutting will occur Aug. 23 at 5:15 p.m. for the Bank of Pawhuska, 1329 E. Main Street.

Nash said the Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting for Holden’s Septic on Sept. 1 at 11:30 a.m. in front of the Chamber offices, 210 W. Main Street.

The public is invited to all the ribbon cuttings.