TULSA, Okla. — Today marks two years since an EF-2 tornado ripped apart more than 120 buildings in midtown Tulsa and injured more than 30 people.
Some businesses never reopened, like the TGI Fridays in the Highland Plaza Shopping Center on 41st Street and the Remington Tower off Interstate 44.
The company that owns the tower, Rupe Helmer Group, posted on its website back in May that it is still looking through permit buildings and deciding the next steps for the future.
Other businesses that were greatly damaged in the tornado, like the AT&T and Panera at the Highland Plaza Shopping Center, have rebuilt.
The Whataburger on 41st Street near I-44 just reopened its doors on July 29.
Ricardo’s Mexican Restaurant owner said his businesses got lucky the day the tornado hit, and they were only closed for a few days after they lost power. He said it could have been much worse.
“There was a lot of local businesses like myself that are trying to get the word out that we’re open and that was probably the toughest deal. They stayed away from the area,” said Thomas Hunter, owner of Ricardo’s.
by Gitzel Puente (2019, Aug 6) KJRH
