North OKC

Keith and Heather Paul soon will open a new concept, Republic, taking 5,000-plus square feet of retail space at 5830 Classen, Bldg. D at Classen Curve.

The gastropub focuses on American craft beers, offering 100 brews on tap, 200-plus beers by the bottle, and a chef-driven menu.

"This (gastropub) is a concept that has grown throughout the country, mainly on the West Coast, although there are a few in New York," Keith Paul says, adding that menu prices will be in the mid-range area. "We just seem to find ourselves drawn to this type of establishment, where, for under $20, you can have a really good quality and portion of food that you can sometimes expect to get on a $30 to $60 menu price. We'll carry several appetizers and handmade specialty burgers and stuff like that. This is going to be a totally different menu for us."

Paul says he's still working on the menu, but it will not feature items found at any of his other restaurants. Republic is scheduled to open during the first quarter.

"Oklahoma City, and especially the Nichols Hills area, is needing a place like this," he says. "It's really a casual atmosphere with a favorable price point, and it's a place you can come to five to six times a month."

NE OKC

Metro Technology Centers and Tinker Federal Credit Union have partnered to provide service and education to students, staff and the general public by opening a TFCU branch on Metro Tech's Information Technology Center Springlake campus, 1800 Springlake Drive.

Metro Tech students enrolled in the financial services program will have opportunities to observe real-time activities at the branch. TFCU employees working at the branch will serve as trainers, as well as perform standard teller duties. Those who complete the program may apply for internships this spring at the new location.

"This provides the opportunity to work hands-on in the environment in which they have trained," says Jayne Hudson, accounting services instructor. "This will also benefit those students who may not have transportation to an off-site internship."

Automobile Alley

Chef Eric Smith soon will open Pachinko Sushi Parlor, an Asian-inspired restaurant at 1 NW 9, situated two doors east of his Sara Sara Cupcakes.

Renovations are near completion in the old, abandoned home, where Smith will take 1,400 square feet of space and feature patio-seating areas.

"Our restaurant will have an urban, sultry, kind of new-century theme, featuring an open space, sushi bar and long banquet hall," he says. "I like for it to feel like people are going to someone's house for dinner. The interior will be subliminally Asian."

Smith says his menu will include traditional sushi rolls, but its specialty rolls will distinguish Pachinko from other sushi sites. He plans to feature between 10 and 12 specialty rolls, including the Italiano Roll, made with marinated buffalo, mozzarella, roasted tomatoes, and a balsamic glaze; a Curry Chicken Salad Roll with mango chutney; and a Mexican-inspired roll made with chorizo, cream cheese and avocado on the inside with crushed tortilla chips and salsa verde placed outside of the roll, among others.

"It's exciting on multiple levels," Smith says. "We'll even deliver our sushi all the way up to Crown Heights at no extra charge, and in Smart cars."

Restaurant hours will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, and 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays.

South OKC

Oklahoma Liquefied Gas, 8308 SW 3, partnered with American Breast Cancer Foundation to provide direct financial assistance to uninsured and underinsured individuals for diagnostic tests to aid in the early detection and survival of breast cancer, as a new participant in the nationwide "Fuel for Hope" campaign.

The campaign heightens awareness of the need for early detection of breast cancer through a network of propane companies across the country that customizes pink trucks for deliveries within local communities.
The new, pink-ribbon truck began delivering propane to customers in December throughout Oklahoma, Seminole, Grady, Cleveland, Lincoln, Canadian and Logan counties. For every gallon of fuel delivered, Oklahoma Liquefied Gas will donate one cent to the American Breast Cancer Foundation to support the Key to Life Breast Cancer Assistance Program, which provides women and men in need with mammograms, biopsies and support services for the detection and treatment of breast cancer.

The Oklahoma Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. presented Flintco Inc. with the top award in the Health Care $2 Million to $5 Million category of the Excellence in Construction awards, for outstanding quality of construction on the Taylor LeNorman/McCasland Cancer Center in Duncan. Architectural Design Group Inc. designed the project.

The center is approximately 10,000 square feet and features medical oncology spaces, radiation therapy with new linear accelerator vaults, exam rooms, a lab draw station and support spaces for family members.

Mustang

Canadian State Bank recently changed its name to Bank of Commerce to facilitate its customers beyond Canadian County lines. The bank's three branches in Yukon, El Reno and Mustang have undergone brand changes, and a fourth location at 120 S Mustang Road opened in Mustang.

"We are, and always will be, grateful to our Canadian County customers for their loyalty and support for nearly 30 years in the community," says Doug Tippens, bank president and CEO. "This name change is positive for our customers, our employees and our community. We're not going anywhere. Our home office will remain in the county."