Anticipation is high in downtown Oklahoma City as businesses along the 2025 Champions Parade route brace for an influx of fans eager to celebrate the Oklahoma City Thunder's NBA Championship victory.
Local establishment Hobby's Hoagies is looking forward to the post-parade rush despite current challenges. According to owner Kim Nixon in a statement obtained by OKC FOX News, "Unfortunately with all the barricades now, it's affecting business today and it might affect business tomorrow. But, we're hoping to get a big influx of people after the parade is over, but we're super excited that it's gonna be coming down in front of our store."
Another newcomer to the area, Nazo Japanese Cuisine, is poised to serve parade-goers despite only being open for less than a week before the event. Quan Liu, an employee at Nazo told KFOR News, "We’re ready. I hope tomorrow, you know, gonna be a festival." With their doors opening at noon today, they aim to accommodate patrons searching for celebratory dining.
At Hall's Pizza Kitchen, preparations have been underway for the surge of expected customers. Tyler Ashburn explained their strategy to KOCO News, "During the parade, we’ve decided we’re going to be opening at noon rather than 11 a.m. just to get our staff in to be able to hang out on the rooftop and watch the parade from here." He also mentioned that their reservations for after the parade are almost completely booked, indicating a pent-up demand for celebration among the city's residents.
The parade doesn't just symbolize a sports victory; it bears historical significance, trailing a path of resilience 30 years after the Oklahoma City bombing. The route passes the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, a poignant reminder of the community's journey. Kari Watkins, President, and CEO of the memorial and museum, told KFOR News, "I think it’s remarkable that people around the world can look at a city that was torn apart by terrorism, has been put back together one life at a time, one family at a time, one team at a time, and we’re celebrating the NBA championship."
