OKC businesses see historic crowds for Thunder parade
The two-mile route started at NW 10th Street and N. Harvey Avenue and headed south on Harvey, west on NW 5th Street, south on N. Walker Avenue, east on Oklahoma City Boulevard, south on S. Robinson Avenue, and ended at Scissortail Park.
Thunder fans swarm downtown to celebrate during the Champions parade
Cross streets and other surrounding streets were closed, but some businesses decided to welcome the large crowds instead of closing their doors. News 4 spoke with Hobby's Hoagies owner, Kim Nixon, on Thursday, still coming off of Tuesday's celebration.
'We got here around eight o'clock, opened the doors, and it was a madhouse,' said Nixon. 'We've been in business for 34 years, and that was the biggest day we ever had.'
City leaders estimate that at least half a million people attended the parade, but the exact numbers and economic impact are still being determined.
Nixon said, on Tuesday, she and her staff were basically limping at the end of the day due to how packed they were. She didn't go into specifics on numbers, but said she plans to reward her employees for their hard work.
'We got a little bonuses coming in for them,' said Nixon. 'So they don't know about yet, but I guess they will find out now, though.'
It's a similar story of success for Nazo, a Japanese restaurant in Midtown, near NW 10th Street and N. Harvey Avenue, if you ask the staff there. News 4 visited the business on Monday before the parade and were told it had only been open for less than a month.
'We were pretty packed that day,' said Eason Liu, an employee at Nazo. 'You know, that is great.'
Liu said typically the restaurant opens after noon, but he and the staff came in around 10 a.m. Tuesday morning to welcome in customers and bring water to the crowds facing the heat.
Both businesses say they hope to have a chance to do it all over again next year.
'We will have another championship parade next year,' said Nixon. 'We are going to be throwing the sandwiches out to the guys this time.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
Shohei Ohtani to Make 4th Start of the Season While Celebrating His 31st Birthday
Shohei Ohtani will make his fourth start of the 2025 MLB season on Saturday, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday. When Ohtani takes the mound next, it will come on his 31st birthday. Ohtani will again serve as an opener and Justin Wrobleski is expected to follow as a bulk pitcher against Houston. The Japanese two-way star threw 27 pitches over a season-high two scoreless innings last weekend at Kansas City, giving up a hit with one strikeout and one walk. In other news, the team also announced reliever Michael Kopech had become its 12th pitcher on the injured list. Kopech said he had scans on his right knee that didn't show any serious issues. The 29-year-old right-hander received a shot to ease inflammation. "I don't think it'll be a long-term situation," Roberts said Tuesday. The IL move was retroactive to Saturday. Kopech missed the first 64 games of the season while working his way back from a right shoulder impingement that he sustained during the team's postseason run last year. Kopech has thrown seven scoreless innings in eight appearances. Right-hander Will Klein was recalled from Oklahoma City, five days after he was optioned to the Triple-A farm team. Acquired June 2 from Seattle for left-hander Joe Jacques, Klein threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings in two previous appearances with the Dodgers this season In other pitching updates: — Japanese rookie phenom Roki Sasaki (shoulder) is pain free and threw from flat ground Tuesday. "The velocity, the effort, intensity, all that stuff has really ticked up," Roberts said. "Physically, he looks good." The manager said he's not sure when Sasaki will throw from a mound, but he pronounced himself "pretty optimistic." — Tyler Glasnow (shoulder inflammation) will make his next rehab start Thursday for Triple-A Oklahoma City. The right-hander is expected to ramp up to five innings and 75 pitches. — Blake Snell (shoulder) and reliever Blake Treinen (forearm) each will throw to hitters on Wednesday. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. needs surgery for offseason turf toe injury, team says
FILE - Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, left, during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series, April 20, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings, File) MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Grizzlies All-Star big man Jaren Jackson Jr. will need surgery after suffering a turf toe injury to his right foot while participating in offseason basketball activities, the team announced Tuesday. Memphis said Jackson is expected to recover fully, adding that a timeline for his recovery will be provided after the surgery. Advertisement The 25-year-old Jackson, a first-round draft pick in 2018, earned his second All-Star selection last season, when he averaged 22.2 points and 5.6 rebounds. He was honored as the NBA's defensive player of the year for 2022-23, when he led the league in blocks at 3 per game. Jackson is eligible for a contract extension this offseason as the Grizzlies seek to build around him and star point guard Ja Morant. Memphis was swept by eventual champion Oklahoma City in the first round of the playoffs in April. ___ AP NBA:
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Ohtani to make 4th start Saturday. Kopech becomes 12th Dodgers pitcher on injured list
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani will make his fourth start on Saturday, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday while the team announced reliever Michael Kopech had become its 12th pitcher on the injured list. Ohtani will again serve as an opener and Justin Wrobleski is expected to follow as a bulk pitcher against Houston. The Japanese two-way star threw 27 pitches over a season-high two scoreless innings last weekend at Kansas City, giving up a hit with one strikeout and one walk. Kopech said he had scans on his right knee that didn't show any serious issues. The 29-year-old right-hander received a shot to ease inflammation. 'I don't think it'll be a long-term situation,' Roberts said Tuesday. The IL move was retroactive to Saturday. Kopech missed the first 64 games of the season while working his way back from a right shoulder impingement that he sustained during the team's postseason run last year. Kopech has thrown seven scoreless innings in eight appearances. Right-hander Will Klein was recalled from Oklahoma City, five days after he was optioned to the Triple-A farm team. Acquired June 2 from Seattle for left-hander Joe Jacques, Klein threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings in two previous appearances with the Dodgers this season In other pitching updates: — Japanese rookie phenom Roki Sasaki (shoulder) is pain free and threw from flat ground Tuesday. 'The velocity, the effort, intensity, all that stuff has really ticked up,' Roberts said. 'Physically, he looks good.' The manager said he's not sure when Sasaki will throw from a mound, but he pronounced himself 'pretty optimistic.' — Tyler Glasnow (shoulder inflammation) will make his next rehab start Thursday for Triple-A Oklahoma City. The right-hander is expected to ramp up to five innings and 75 pitches. — Blake Snell (shoulder) and reliever Blake Treinen (forearm) each will throw to hitters on Wednesday. ___ AP MLB:
