MEDICINE PARK — Several Medicine Park businesses held ribbon-cutting ceremonies Sunday afternoon as Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell paid a visit to the small community.
Ribbon cuttings were held for Obsessed by Marie beauty salon, Chad’s El Sabores Mexican Restaurant, Honey & Sage Alternative & Holistic Health Service; Nice Ice, Baby Daiquiris & More; American Legends Tattoo, and Big Rock Chapel.
“We invited the lieutenant governor to Medicine Park for an overview of what the town has to offer the state in regard to tourism as well as discuss much-needed infrastructure needs so we can move some projects forward,” said Medicine Park Mayor Jennifer Ellis.
Highlighting the importance of small businesses for the tourist destination and the state, Pinnell emphasized entrepreneurship as the state’s commerce backbone.
“More than 90% of the businesses in this state are small businesses,” said Pinnell, who serves as Oklahoma’s first Secretary of Tourism and Branding. “Entrepreneurs who have a dream to open their own business are the backbone of Oklahoma. We want to do everything we can at the Department of Commerce to ensure that if there’s incentive for them to access, if there is an accelerator, incubator at a local level, that they (entrepreneurs) can get start-up cash, we want to make sure those opportunities are there so she’s not opening this salon in another state, she’s doing it right here in her hometown.”
Pinnell’s visit “celebrated new business development projects,” said Ellis.
Obsessed by Marie
Obsessed by Marie, located directly across from the Medicine Park stage, is a salon owned and operated by Lawtonian April Garrett. The salon is expected to be the premier choice for hair and nail needs for Parkies and visitors alike, Garrett said.
“I can imagine a lot of walk-ins from vacationers who rent cabins after our grand opening,” said Garrett, who offers manicures, acrylic nails and pedicures.
Hair artist Samantha Cunningham will offer a full salon experience, from color processes and Balayage treatments to blowouts and more.
“We’re excited to meet more people from Medicine Park and the surrounding communities as well as people vacationing from all over,” said Cunningham.
Obsessed by Marie does accept walk-ins; however, appointments are preferred.
For more details and appointments, call (928) 259-9257 or book online via Obsessed by Marie’s Facebook page.
Nice Ice, Baby
Next on the lieutenant governor’s tour was Nice Ice, Baby - Daiquiris and More To Go.
Medicine Park’s Daiquiri Lounge is the second location for the mother-daughter team. Candy Hanza and her daughter Kelcey Ross came up with the idea of a frozen daiquiri to-go during the early stages of the pandemic.
In a phone interview with Southwest Ledger, Ross, who serves as chief mixologist for the company, said Nice Ice, Baby currently has a dozen unique flavors of alcoholic drinks at the Medicine Park location. Customers can mix and match whichever flavors they prefer. Ross said kid-friendly beverages are expected for the Medicine Park location this summer.
“We’re locally owned,” she said. “We offer dine-in and takeout options and cater to birthday parties, date nights, bachelor/bachelorette parties … any special occasion.”
Nice Ice, Baby plans to have six locations by the end of next year, added Ross.
For more details, call (580) 699-3600 or visit www.NiceIceBaby.com.
American Legends Tattoo Shop
American Legends Tattoo Shop, also located on E. Lake Drive, is a skin art studio to Oklahoma’s first licensed tattooist and Meers native, Mike Evans.
Evans’ passion and expertise in tattooing has permitted him to travel around the world creating skin art masterpieces from Lake Lawtonka to 14 countries on five continents, including working in Moscow, Russia.
The international award-winning tattooist is joined by his son, Dillon, as well as Jay Marston and Lance Smith.
Evans traveled to conventions all over the country for more than a decade and has built an extensive clientele, he said.
“I have people coming from all over,” said Evans. “Some people like to get tattoos when they travel, and I made a clientele from when I did conventions all over the United States.”
For appointments and details, email lordmikeevans@yahoo.com.
Lt. Gov. Pinnell, Mayor Ellis and several community leaders were also on hand for ribbon cuttings for Chad’s El Sabores Mexican Restaurant, Honey & Sage Alternative & Holistic Health Service, and Big Rock Chapel.
Chad’s El Sabores Mexican Restaurant
With a relaxed atmosphere, Chad’s El Sabores Mexican Restaurant, 18493 state Highway 49, features authentic Mexican entrées, Chad’s signature mixed drinks and ice-cold draft beer.
Chad’s is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For reservations, call (580) 529-9999.
Honey & Sage Holistic Health Service
Honey & Sage Alternative & Holistic Health Service, 204 B E. Lake Dr., offers organic apothecary items “with seasonal care packages, herbal support, and wellness tools for the family,” the business’ Facebook page states. Honey & Sage is open from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
For more information call (214) 908-4084, via Facebook or visit www.honeyandsageco.com.
The Chapel on Big Rock
The Chapel on Big Rock, 602 Big Rock Road, is Medicine Park’s picturesque venue with a magnificent view of the region. The Chapel, which is perfect for concerts, lectures, classes, conferences and weddings, also hosted a ribbon cutting.
For more details, visit The Chapel on Big Rock via Facebook, email thechapelonbigrock@gmail.com or call (813) 720-0714.
“Medicine Park is one of the fastest-growing tourist areas in the country,” Pinnell said. “Tourism is economic development. It is the front door to economic development. So, when we can get people into this community, it shows people how great this area is, and then they say ‘Hey, this is a great place to retire … a great place to relocate and open a starter business.’ I really and truly believe the sky’s the limit for this mountain town.”
Mayor Ellis also discussed Diamondback Harley-Davidson’s plans to open a retail shop in Medicine Park. Along with licensed Harley-Davidson merchandise, the location will have pizza and sandwiches for guests. The new location is to open this summer, according to Diamondback’s Facebook page.
“Each time a business owner moves into Medicine Park, they invest in our community,” Ellis said. “Municipalities thrive on sales tax revenue. The more businesses we get in our community the better the results for our residents.”