Ne-Mar Still Thriving After All These Years

Ne-Mar Shopping Center is committed to providing a place in which small, locally-owned businesses can thrive.

Simply Scrapbooks owner Terri Musser.

Ne-Mar Shopping Center has long been a part of the landscape of Will Rogers Boulevard, and over the years, its face has changed with the times. One thing that has not changed, however, is Ne-Mar’s commitment to providing a place in which small, locally-owned businesses can thrive. Three of these businesses are The Scrapbook Store, The Hair Place, and The Beat Goes On – CD’s and More.

Simply Scrapbooks is the largest store of its kind in northeast Oklahoma, and is described by owner Terri Musser as “having everything a scrapbooker could desire to preserve their memories in a unique way.” February looks to be an exciting and busy month for Simply Scrapbooks, as they gear up for “ScrapFest” on February 19. The store will open at 9 that morning for a day filled with scrapbook delights: free make and takes, 20 new, never-seen-before paper lines, and drawings every hour, with a grand prize drawing at 5 p.m. “This is our first year for ScrapFest,” says Terri. “We hope it will give people a chance to see what we have.” Call Simply Scrapbooks at (918) 343-5553.

February also promises to be a busy month for The Hair Place, as Valentine’s Day brings thoughts of romance. As stylist Dakie Reeder says, “Ladies will want to get all dolled up for Valentine’s Day to go out with their sweethearts.” Walk-ins are always welcome, but Connie Edwards, owner of The Hair Place, advises making an appointment around the holiday. “We will still try to get everyone in, but we wouldn’t want anyone to be disappointed,” she says.

The stylists at The Hair Place will be offering specials on cuts and styles for the occasion. And as always, great hair care products are offered, including a full line of Matrix, as it is a Matrix Salon. Chi One-Inch Flat Irons will be offered at a great discount, and to protect your hair while you straighten, the stylists recommend purchasing products specifically made to soften and protect straightened hair, like Biosilk and Kenra. For an appointment at The Hair Place, call (918) 343-4247.

Stylists Heather Cole, Sara Whillhoite and Dakie Reeder with Connie Edwards (front), owner of The Hair Place. (Not pictured: stylists Scott Christmann and Annette Willhoite.)

If cold February winds are keeping you indoors, you might want to visit The Beat Goes On – CD’s and More. There, you can not only find a wide array of new and used CD’s – with many vintage and hard-to-find selections available – but you can find several popular varieties of incense to keep your home smelling fresh while you are inside. “Incense is much better for the environment than air fresheners,” owner Benny Bolen points out. “It’s become one of our most popular items.” Incense is only one interesting item you can find at The Beat Goes On, which is filled with products focusing on rock music and music culture, including hats, T-shirts, posters, bumper stickers, and DVD documentaries.

Benny says that right now, retro hippie culture items are particularly in vogue, and the store has a large stock of 60’s music memorabilia, retro hippie purses and scarves, hemp style bracelets, and items featuring the peace symbol.

Benny encourages Claremore area residents to visit stores like his and others in the Ne-Mar Shopping Center as often as possible rather than driving all the way to Tulsa. “Any little bit of extra money you might save by doing that would be spent on gas,” he points out. “And I believe if you really like your town, you should keep some of your money there.” For more information about Benny’s shop, call (918) 342-8828.

By hosting these three small businesses and many more, the Ne-Mar Shopping Center enables Claremore residents not only to save money by shopping close to home, but helps them preserve an even more valuable commodity – time.

For more information, contact

Ne-Mar Shopping Center

(918) 341-0622

Benny Bolen, owner of The Beat Goes On – CD’s and More.